Independent Study on The Convention Hall Toward the completion of the MAAD History Theory Experiments DegreeRequired 6 hour thesis independent studyThis independent study follows the spring of 2021 semester’s research into the history of the convention center as an urban formation and the exhibition hall as a container for a series of publics that reflect larger trends in the changing nature of work, leisure, and networked community. The semester will be organized around written thesis development, adding formal and visual analysis and case study research. Zooming in from the larger scales of consideration covered this spring (history, urban form), this semester will incorporate material references, conversations with event industry workers, and key imagery, while further developing the written thesis with additional readings to be identified following the evaluation of the spring semester’s final writing. Post-pandemic industry activity will be monitored. Meeting Schedule10 weeks, June 5-August 13Writing/revisions/images submitted weekly. Meetings with advisor bi-weekly.Material ReferencesFurther research into standardizations of the event industry through vendors. Pre-semester contacts will be made with companies specializing in booth construction from the Javitz Center plans and Moscone Center guides, including those who participated in pandemic hospital conversion. Subject(s) related to maintenance to be identified.Image Collection/GenerationIf access to facilities is available, photography of key materials, infrastructure organization, surface materials, furniture.Organization and analysis of imagery taken from collections of in-house hospitality service programs. Drawings/Diagrams/Collage imagery exploring the relationship between discrete elements and the formation of the exhibition grid.Identify pre-pandemic event photography. Explore potential for post-pandemic event photography (Javitz or McCormick Center events).Subjects Prompting Further Development from Spring SemesterThe relationship between mass gatherings and emergency preparedness as seen in the conversion of convention halls into pandemic hospitals and vaccination sites.Questions of access and exclusion.International v. American use-type comparisons, particularly when it comes to nonprofessional/industry groups.Written Thesis DevelopmentThe completion of a 2,500 word essay focusing on a select thread from research (such that could be pitched to a journal)The completion of a larger research document that fulfills the degree requirements.

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