Entropy

**__Entropy__ by Christian Ervin, __cervin@gsd.harvard.edu__**  **Research Theme's Short Abstract** (250 words) **:** In this set of case studies, I explore the topic of entropy, in three parts: Material Entropy, Entropy of the Self, and The Refusal of Entropy. Each part contains three projects. In Material Entropy, I present projects concerned with the decay of physical and digital material. Entropy of the Self consists of three projects on the erosion of identity, through mechanical degradation, geologic transformation, and collective aggregation. In The Refusal of Entropy, I explore the Western cultural tendency to control and refute the passage of time and its effects on our bodies and our environments. Taken as a whole, this series of case studies critiques the human obsession with permanence: as material entities subject to the asymmetric trajectory of time, we are always in the process of disappearing.

Introduction to the theme of Entropy 01. Chocolate Bunny by Lernert & Sander

Material Entropy 02. Disintegration Loops by William Basinski 03. Digital Decay by Claire L. Evans 04. Lossless by Rebecca Baron & Douglas Goodwin

( [|Mandala Destruction] )

Entropy of the Self 05. I Am Sitting In A Room by Alvin Lucier 06. Eroded Man Series by Kim Keever 07. The Class of 1988 & The Class of 1967 by Jason Savalon

The Refusal of Entropy 08. Toshi Shibata 09. The Nazca Lines 10. Roundup Ready System by Monsanto