The Uncanny & Me: Introductions Part I

Initially, I would like to briefly introduce you to the uncanny and myself. Das 'Unheimliche' has been the heart of my research for eight years now. I am not sure I had mentioned it already, but I am an architect. And as one, I believe that theory is the basis of a good and solid design. YES! Part of me is one of those architects. But, I tend to believe that theory is more than just a good analysis. I started studying psychology and philosophy along with my architecture studies and I am trying to keep up ever since, combining research and practice up to date. To be fair, it has not been easy. Besides the fact that time excess and myself were never best friends, I have received a lot of judgement and rejection at times about the nature of the career I am trying to follow. What's better however, than believing in yourself and your choices and following your dreams! I had to learn to be financially independent since a very young age. Best thing ever happened to me and partially my choice. I struggled, I learnt surviving, I became self-sufficient. I spent a few summers broke; completely alone, unable to visit my family and friends. Eating 3 minutes noodles and canned food like another Andy Warhol. The funniest part is that I believed and still do that those were my most creative summers. To be honest, I love canned sardines! #IhaveathingforSardines

One day, back in 2009, me and my former partner were on our regular visit to the book stores in the Exarchia area in Athens. Oh my God, I just love this city! And that was the moment it caught my attention. At the beginning I was hesitant. I had so many books piled up and so little time. But, there was something there so I didn't think it thoroughly. I grabbed the book, and the second thing I remember, after an hour or so I was reading the last pages -it's a very small book in general. I was completely bewildered -that book is nuts!- but at the same time I could feel that there was a lot on stake there. I wanted to know more. The day after I had to meet my research instructor to discuss about choosing my final research subject. I knew at that time that I wanted to deal with psychology in architecture. He insisted I needed to make my subject more specific; and then he noticed the book between the rest of my stuff. "You can emphasise on the uncanny for example, it has to be that specific!", quoth hein a sarcastic way. And this is what I did. Eight years later, me and the uncanny we are inseparable.