Train Dreams

“Train Dreams” by Denis Johnson tells us about a man, Robert Garnier who works on the construction of railroads. I think that the fact the Garnier works in railroads correlates with de Certeaus’s idea of maps and tours. The railroad represents a kind of journey through time and space- similar to a map or even a tour. Johnson gives us a “tour” of the life of Robert Garnier through a series of events within the novel. 

2.25.2014 continuation of Andrea Zittel in relation to de Certeau and Foucault

Andrea Zittel’s “ A-Z Carpet Furniture: Cabin”

Andrea Zittel’s “Carpet Furniture” project to me was something that intrigued me because it almost felt like everything in the 3-Dimensional space was being flattened into a 2-Dimensional space- everything that required space suddenly didn’t. Zittel turns furniture into a carpet while still keeping the idea of furniture intact. The carpet shows an image of a flattened bed, chair and table. These objects all in a way represent the sense of comfortability in our lives. These objects that represent relaxation takes us to the next step where it is better to have an idea of something, reduced to a flat surface than to have everything but with the risk of losing space. Although that space that used to be occupied is physically empty, by keeping a plan view of the furniture, it is as if nothing has changed except that we are mentally liberated.

I think that this project in relation to Foucault makes sense when Foucault talks about the idea of discipline, enclosure and the coding of space where a body is confined to a specific space. I think Zittel eliminates the physical idea of this enclosure. The segregation of a body is void when that space the body is confined to is reduced to a carpet. Zittel deals with the constraint of Foucault’s claim that we are locked up in an area where we are reduced to being controlled by the space. According to Foucault, our bodies, in space are oriented on a way that we are directed to someone of authority and respect and that our bodies are blocked away from each other. If we were to think of desks and chairs in a classroom reduced to a simple carpet, would this idea of discipline still have the same affect?

In relation to de Certeau’s “Spatial Stories” as well as looking at Zittel’s work as a spatial story, the notion the “if we limit ourselves to the home….. one can’t do anything in them”  and that a long lost attic “could be used for everything” ; how these are “treatments of space” is similar to Zittel’s focus in “Carpet Furniture” in that a space, when manipulated but at the same time still maintaining the idea of that space. It is not the space that defines our limitation or our liberation but it is how we treat the space that gives us the mentality of space as a limitation as well as liberation. Also, according to de Certeau, “it is the partition of space that structures it”; by keeping the idea of the partition constant even when reducing furniture from a three dimensional object to a two dimensional, the structure of the space is maintained. There is still the differentiation between spaces even without the physical division itself.

These Things I know for Sure

“What makes us feel liberated is not total freedom, but rather living in a set of limitations that we have created and prescribed for ourselves”

 I think that reducing the amount of material does not necessarily mean that there is a sense of liberation and freedom especially the 'rules'- the representation of that object is still existent. I also think that liberation is not necessarily a good thing. I think the limitation exists in order for use to appreciate liberation. The reduction of material in Andrea Zittel's carpet furniture still represents the idea of limitation through the boundaries of each 'flat' furniture but at the same time liberates us of the space normally occupied. 

2.19.2014- Response to Andrea Zittel

Andrea Zittel’s “ A-Z Carpet Furniture: Cabin”

Andrea Zittel’s “Carpet Furniture” project to me was something that intrigued me because it almost felt like everything in the 3-Dimensional space was being flattened into a 2-Dimensional space- everything that required space suddenly didn’t. Zittel turns furniture into a carpet while still keeping the idea of furniture intact. The carpet shows an image of a flattened bed, chair and table. These objects all in a way represent the sense of comfortability in our lives. These objects that represent relaxation takes us to the next step where it is better to have an idea of something, reduced to a flat surface than to have everything but with the risk of losing space.

I think that this project in relation to Foucault makes sense when Foucault talks about the idea of discipline, enclosure and the coding of space where a body is confined to a specific space. I think Zittel eliminates the physical idea of this enclosure. The segregation of a body is void when that space the body is confined to is reduced to a carpet. According to Foucault, our bodies, in space are oriented on a way that we are directed to someone of authority and respect and that our bodies are blocked away from each other. If we were to think of desks and chairs in a classroom reduced to a simple carpet, would this idea of discipline still have the same affect?

These Things I know for Sure

What makes us feel liberated is not total freedom, but rather living in a set of limitations that we have created and prescribed for ourselves

 I think that reducing the amount of material does not necessarily mean that there is a sense of liberation and freedom especially the 'rules'- the representation of that object is still existent. I also think that liberation is not necessarily a good thing. I think the limitation exists in order for use to appreciate liberation. The reduction of material in Andrea Zittel's carpet furniture still represents the idea of limitation through the boundaries of each 'flat' furniture but at the same time liberates us of the space normally occupied. 

2.17.14- Response to Foucault's "Docile Bodies"

Foucault's idea of the body through the example of a soldier:

Foucault tell use of the soldier and how a soldier transitions from being one of honor to being one of power. He brings up the idea that a soldier overtime, is manipulated in different ways that they can be seen as robots. I think this raises the subject of how over time from the seventeenth century to the eighteenth century, there is the shift in the views of a soldier where it was their physical attributes being noticed then later their actions. 

Foucault's idea of the body " as the object and target of power"

Control. Foucault divides control in 2 ways: mental and physical.. The mind for "submission and use" and the body for “functioning and explanations" 

Foucault's idea of discipline

"Discipline requires enclosure"- the idea that a body is confined in a specific space creates the atmosphere of restriction which furthers the idea of control over a body. Where a body should go and what that enclosure the body goes to is for is effective in terms of the discipline of a body. 

Partitioning-"Each individual has his own place; and each place its individual. Avoid distributions in groups, break up collective dispositions". Furthering the idea of enclosure by dividing that space even more through partitioning- to keep a body focused and not dwell on anything else other than the matter at hand. An example would be a school situation where desks are placed on rows and columns- a student is not allowed to look neither left nor right but instead look straight ahead and the person in the considered position of authority. This is discipline in that the partitioning keeps the mind and the body reminded of its place- where it can and cannot go.

Coding of Space: "Particular places were defined to correspond not only to the need to supervise, to break dangerous communication, but also to create a useful space.”   Again, that idea of controlling where the communication goes- dividing each space for each body and that certain body confined in that space- prohibited from moving left or right.

One’s classification: A body is defined by a rank- a means of identity. A changing space where one’s standing and rank differs. This is one of the only means of individuality within a body.

Analysis of Cannoneer Court Dorms through Foucault's 'Docile Bodies'

 

Cannoneer Court girl's Hallway

Plan view of the "Cann"

Cannoneer Court is a freshman dorm where I live in and I chose it because it is a place that is occupied by students everyday.
In terms of circulation, the "Cann" is like a square shaped donut where there are two hallways in the first floor divided into the boys' hallway and the girls' hallway. There is only one entry point and a courtyard right in the middle. In the opposite side of the dorm is where students do their laundry- it is also a space for some drawing students to do their homework. It is in a way a big round circle. There is that sense of restriction and discipline where there are Resident Advisers at the end of each hallway. The first floor of the Cann is segregated by gender while the second floor isn't. In order to get into the Cann, you are required to swipe in with your ID card on order to record who goes in and out. 

Living in the Cann does have rules and restrictions:
1. Quiet hours at 10 on weekdays and 11 on weekends
2. No alcohol
3. No smoking within 25 feet
4.  The resident advisers have random room check after quiet hours

Docile Bodies by Foucault

1. The idea of docile bodies, where the view of a soldier transitions from the one who holds the highest honor to the one who is seen as a 'machine'. Would this transition have occurred of the idea of subservience, control and discipline did not exist?

2. Foucault raises the issue of the manipulation of our society. where our 'bodies' in a way are no longer our own. Even with society knowing this fact, ado our minds and bodies stop being consumed by the control and discipline we were given overtime?

Wordsworth + de Certeau

William Wordsworth’s “Tintern Abbey” as a Spatial Story

William Wordsworth’s poem “Tintern Abbey” is a poem that focuses a lot on this sense of place. In the first stanza, the poem introduces us to a place that seems so dear to him and he uses his words as a vessel to convey images and ideas which later on relate to Michel de Certeau’s “ Spatial Stories”.

He starts off the first stanza with the idea of going back to a certain place; to revisit after “five summers, with the length of five long winters” which gives us the assumption that he is taking us to a place that in a way seems new to him. However, he goes on to tell us about this area where waters murmur instead of crash and where seclusion exists. Wordsworth in a way maps us an area of sweetness but gives us a tour through his thoughts and emotions. This subject relates to Michel De Certeaus’s “Spatial Stories” –Tours and Maps where a map is a written tool to give directions while a tour is similar to a map but with a movement- an action. The ‘tour’ Wordsworth gives us gives us the feeling of calmness while going through this place he describes in a very descriptive manner.

Wordsworth moves on next to tell us of “Mid groves and corpses” signifying the intrusion of man on nature. By using words such as “secluded”, “silence”, “Hermit” and “alone” gives the impression that he is longing or revisiting this area of escape where he is allowed to have thoughts in deep seclusion. This again can be seen in relation to “Spatial Stories” where the sense of ‘space’ and ‘place’ are differentiated. Wordsworth describes this incredible place with these descriptions like “cottage” and “landscape” which immediately attracts us to this place he keeps talking about but it is clear that even though this place is as beautiful as it is described, it is not the place that Wordsworth is focusing on but the space that it represents. To him, it is a place or a space where his thoughts are allowed to roam free- free of the noise. He is free of such clutter and is able to do what he wishes to do.

Wordsworth continues to further enhance our sense of calmness throughout the first stanza however towards the end of the stanza, we are a hint of sadness where he describes “The Hermit sits alone”- this goes back to his idea of seclusion earlier in the poem- which does not necessarily mean a bad thing but in my opinion it enhances the importance of the space to him and the reader. He makes use of the last line of the first stanza to define this space that seems so significant to him.

Wordsworth makes use of words to create a space, to define a place, to describe a map and to let us live through a tour.