Month: January 2016

 

Analyzing Margaret Morton’s Photography of a Forgotten New York

In Nersessova’s “Tapestry of Space”, she analyzes and provides support for the purpose behind the photography in Margaret Morton’s “The Tunnel: The Underground Homeless of New York City”. Nersessova discusses the misguided perceptions that many people have about homes/homelessness. She talks about how just because someone lives on the street it does not mean they are homeless; their home is simply wherever they chose be. She uses the Situationist International (SI) organization as support for the main ideas behind Morton’s photography. SI believes that we as a society are consumed by images of things we do not need. Situationist International believes that it is essential for us to understand the space we occupy as well as spaces around us. Nersessova makes the point that the working class struggles because the system is set up to work against them rather than for them. Morton’s photography captures the poverty stricken individuals of New York as apposed to the industrialization and market that everyone thinks of when New York comes to mind. Morton’s interviewees, Bernard and Bob, stated that living above ground distracts one from finding themselves, while living below ground allows one to “achieve the level of consciousness” that is necessary to be one with yourself. Nersessova explains that the authorities have the power to shape people’s experiences in the city because they instruct tourists where to go during their visit. For example, the authorities may only put certain destinations in a brochure and only want people to see the well-known restaurants and attractions as apposed to the small family owned restaurants in the area. As a result of this, people are not able to gain the full experience of being in that space. Nersessova also emphasizes that homeless people tend to have more of a relationship with the city then those who live in homes in the city and, essentially, every thing we do as humans is an interaction with the environment.

 

 

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/2f/30/5a/2f305a18a6391a66841a5e3eafe52495.jpg

Blind Architectural Discrimination

In Parts I and II of Sarah Schindler’s Architectural Exclusion: Discrimination and Segregation Through Physical Design of the Built Environment, she discusses the impact that built environments have on our every day lives. Schindler defines “the built environment [as] man-made physical features that make it difficult for certain individuals—often poor people and people of color—to access certain places”. Various physical aspects of cities and suburban areas are designed in an effort to dictate the type of people who enter these spaces. An example that she uses is some bridges have been designed to be low enough as to prevent buses that provide pubic transportation from being able to drive underneath. Schindler brings awareness to the fact that wealthy, often white, communities vote against transit stops in their suburban neighborhoods because they do not want poor people or people of color in their neighborhoods. These wealthy individuals are directly contributing to the geographic divide between upper class and lower class Americans.  Other examples of “exclusionary urban design” include “street grid layouts, one-way streets, the absence of sidewalks and crosswalks”, all of which are unnoticeable to the average person but were established for a specific reason by the city. The authorities shape our experiences and interactions with the city in ways that we do not even realize, and Schindler aims to make her audience aware of this. Some recognition has been given to these exclusionary issues, however, many influential individuals who have the power to make a change still do not bring the amount of awareness that Schindler feels is necessary.

Schindler, Sarah. “Architectural Exclusion: Discrimination and Segregation Through Physical Design of the Built Environment.” Yale Law Journal. Yale Law Journal, Apr. 2015. Web. 23 Jan. 2016. <http://www.yalelawjournal.org/article/architectural-exclusion>.

 

architectures.danlockton.co.uk

the emotional and behavioral affect a space has on a individual

stroller”, “lounger”

an unplanned journey through a landscape, usually urban, on which the subtle aesthetic contours of the surrounding architecture and geography subconsciously direct the travelers

an authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization.

1. fascist government – an authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization.
2. dérive- an unplanned journey through a landscape, usually urban, on which the subtle aesthetic contours of the surrounding architecture and geography subconsciously direct the travelers
3. flânerie- “stroller”, “lounger”
4. psychogeography – the emotional and behavioral affect a space has on a individual

12. “…wealthy white residents of suburban Atlanta, Georgia, suburban San Francisco, California, and Washington, D.C., have organized to oppose the locating of transit stops in their communities, at least in part because transit would enable people who live in poorer areas of the cities to easily access these wealthier areas”
    •  This passage describes how wealthy white Americans vote against transit stops in their suburban neighborhoods because they do not want poor people or people of color in their neighborhoods. They believe that these people will cause problems and become a nuisance in their communities. These wealthy individuals are directly contributing to the geographic divide between upper class and lower class Americans. They ultimately believe that if more poor people are in their area, this will cause more crime and decrease the property values of their homes and businesses. Not only does the prevention of transit stops deter poorer people from having jobs in suburban cities but it also makes lower class individuals feel less worthy of obtaining those jobs in the first place.

 

7. “…’there is no such thing as a neutral design”
   • Some places that are supposed to accommodate everyone fall short of expectations in reality. An example of this would Georgia State University’s Atlanta campus. While the architects probably intended for the campus to be accessible for people of all abilities, there are many obstacles for people with disabilities. There are several areas around campus that people in wheelchairs would not be able access because there are no ramps for them. This is just one of the many examples of external designs that are meant to be neutral but are not. Not every design can be neutral because there will always be someone or something that can not be accommodated by a specific landform.

1. What are the major projects? In a bulleted list, provide links to the project descriptions for each of them.
   • Reading Summaries (6) http://spaceplacerhet.pdarrington.net/category/readingsummaries/
   • Annotated Bibliography (10 annotations) http://spaceplacerhet.pdarrington.net/category/annotatedbibs/
   • Built Environment Descriptions (3, one each for exterior, interior, and digital) http://spaceplacerhet.pdarrington.net/projects-2/#bedescriptions
   • Built Environment Analysis (1)

2. How will your final grade be calculated?

If I receive at least 2500 points, I will receive an A in the class. If I do not receive 2500 points, then the top earner from each section will determine the grading scale for the rest of section.

3. What is the “submission form” and how do you use it?

We use the submission forms to submit anything for which we would like to earn points. On the form, we fill out our name, email address, what we are submitting, and the URL/link to what we are submitting.

4. Embed the form below your answer (hint: Google “embed Google form” to find out how).

 

5. Embed the course calendar and weekly overview below this question.

 

 

6. Where on the course website can you find an overview of what’s due and the readings for each unit?

You find it under the heading that says, “ what is the general plan for the course, and when are things due?”

7. What is the best way to see an overview of what’s due each week?

You can look at the green and orange sections of Mrs. A’s webpage and you can also find it under the heading that says, “ what is the general plan for the course, and when are things due?”.

8. What is the attendance policy?

We earn 20 points for coming to class and lose 20 points for an unexcused absence.

 

9. What are my office hours, and how do you make an appointment to see me outside of class?

Office hours: Tuesdays 9:30-11:30a.m; I can make appointment by emailing you at parrington2@gsu.edu

10. How do you earn participation credit? Provide a link to the instructions/guidelines for participation.

http://spaceplacerhet.pdarrington.net/projects-2/#participation|1

 

Class attendance: 20 points (missed class -20 points)

Study group organization and participation: up to 25

Individual office hour visit (come with specific questions or topics for discussion): 20

Group meetings with instructor (come with specific questions or topics for discussion): 20

Blog posts reflecting practice of course concepts: up to 50

Constructive commentary on blogs: 15

Extra submissions to image, sound, site description repositories:10/per

Extra reading summaries: up to 50/per Add an “about me” page to your website: 20

Create Facebook groups around topics, projects or readings: up to 50

Contribute to the glossary of terms: 15 per

Contribute markers to collaborative Google map: 10 per

Complete tutorials from Writer’s Help: 20 per

Complete Lynda.com tutorial on a relevant technology: up to 50

 

11. How many points can you earn by participating in or organizing a study group session?

You can earn up to 25 points

12. How can you be assured of earning an “A” in this course?

Accumulating at least 2500 points

13. What are the minimum requirements for earning a passing grade of “C”?

Completing all four of the major projects and earning the minimum amount of points for each of them

 

14. What do you do if you’re not sure how to document your participation in order to earn points?

You can either email Mrs. A or refer to the syllabus for help.