Studio 12


nothing compares 2 U

Marijke Davey

This studio is available to students enrolled in ABPL90169 Design Thesis.

Studio Description

In 1984 Prince wrote and recorded the song “Nothing Compares 2 U”(this version was unreleased until 2018*).

In 1985, Prince formed a funk band, The Family, and “Nothing Compares 2 U” was released on their debut (and only) self-titled album. The Family version of “Nothing Compares 2 U” (516,927 views on youtube) is full of sweeping synths and strings, St Paul’s vocals soar and break.

In 1989, Sinéad O'Connor recorded a version of “Nothing Compares 2 U” (320,633,176 views on youtube) for her second album, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got (1990). O’Conner’s version of the song topped the charts across the world and became one of the best-selling singles in 1990. O’Conner’s understated instrumental arrangement and strained vocals are slow and feel drawn with a knife. Her version of “Nothing Compares 2 U” was on repeat during all breakups at the time (and is still).

In 1993, Prince released his own live rendition of “Nothing Compares 2 U” with stunning vocals by Rosie Gaines (1,012,834 views on youtube). This version reached number 7 on the US Charts in 1993. The smattering of claps heard in this recording, one can only imagine, is accompanied by a swaying audience, smiles, hands on hearts, and tear-filled eyes.

In 2014, Fatima Al Qadiri, a Kuwaiti artist, released her debut full-length album Asiatisch. The first track on Asiatisch, “Shanzhai (For Shanzhai Biennial)” (146,908 views on youtube) featured Helen Fung, a Chinese punk vocalist, singing made up and nonsense lyrics to the tune of “Nothing Compares 2 U”.

Studio Outcomes

nothing compares 2 u is a studio that will explore ideas of generosity. What are we without our ability to give? To give time, to give attention, to give our ears, our hands, a plate of food, advice, silence, desire, space. We will explore, together, the application of generosity in Architecture.

Over the semester you will be encouraged and guided to find something that you love, or believe in, or are enraged by, something you believe deserves to be spoken about, researched, shared with others, and responded to.

nothing compares 2 u asks for rigorous, thoughtful, and self-directed research. You will have high expectations placed upon you, but with this comes care, attention, support, and a space where you can develop your thoughts about architecture. The studio relies on class discussion, requiring you to listen to your classmates, to guests, to develop opinions, critiques, yourself.

Studio Leaders

Marijke is an Architect. She cares about public space, pigeons, and Palestine.

Readings & References

Schedule Mondays and Thursdays 18:15-21:15

Contact Handbook

Need enrolment assistance?

Stop 1 provides enrolment and other support to Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Environments and Melbourne School of Design students.