This is my blog: neighborhood flags

At this point I thought I would have narrowed down my topic for thesis. (Fortunately or) Unfortunately I am still expanding the possibilities for my topic but seem to be approaching something that really resonates with me. I keep returning to the topic of awareness of place, as well as the connection with a local community and its history. This weekend I re-read parts of No Logo by Naomi Klein and realized that it is the contemporary equivalent of Society of the Spectacle by Guy Debord. Klein makes Debord's theory concrete with details on the mergers and acquisitions that limit our consumer choice. Branded retail environments like Barnes and Noble replace the library as the literary destination; malls have replaced the traditional notion of the town square. Media companies have merged to the point that all of our news and entertainment come from a total of three companies, and independent filmmakers and distributors struggle to have a voice against this well-connected competition.

But it's capitalism, one might argue, and America has grown fat and happy with the conglomer-nation formula! Yes it has, but we've also lost many opportunities for those with differing viewpoints to be heard. There will be a popular backlash if the one-way communication of mass media outlets continues in this way. Consumers will exercise their power of choice to buy products from companies that are the most transparent. Transparency will in turn lead to better corporate ethics and programs that benefit the community.

Globalism will not stop, but we can preserve the shreds of culture that we have left in our communities. Self-replicating clones like TGI Fridays (that just opened two blocks away) can integrate programs that respect the community they are homogenizing, through the in-store environment or takeaway items. 'Brooks of Sheffield' wrote the Lost City blog for many years, lamenting the disappearing cultural destinations in New York City. He compiles a list of remaining classics here, considering them the last few iconic utterly New York destinations. Another interesting blog bent on historical preservation, Forgotten NY documents much of the urban scenery that just doesn't exist anymore.

One design solution for this problem is to put it in the hands of the people. We have lost so much of our cultural landscape at the hands of largely unregulated corporations, it's time to take the power back. Excuse me while I start coming up with an inspiring and motivational speech to rally the people, but in the meantime check out these beautiful town logos created by Japanese designers to represent their distinct locality. These designs represent a symbol of the importance of place for each individual.

1. "It's not what you look at that matters... it's what you see." - Henri David Thoreau. This quote defines the last year of my life. I have always looked at the same things, but depending on your perspective, education, mood and/or situation you see things very differently.

1 1/2. I wanted to post this interview with Ed Fella on the art of everyday things. Sometimes it's the smallest, most insignificant items that provide inspiration for design - like the ticket stub from a movie or a coffee cup from your favorite coffee place (Joe). (previous post)

2. I read Ways of Seeing by John Berger over the (really short) break last week, and was most impacted by one passage: A woman must continually watch herself. She is almost continually accompanied by her own image of herself... from earliest childhood she has been taught and persuaded to survey herself continually... Her own sense of being in herself is supplanted by a sense of being appreciated as herself by another.

We can never guess someone else's perception or vision so why bother trying to guess what others are thinking? In design we are creating things for others so we constantly need to have their views and opinions in mind, however it's easier to be sensitive to others opinions of design than their opinions of other people. I think his opinion is boldly stated but very thought-provoking.

3. Neighborhood Treasure
When I first started thinking about my thesis, I wanted to focus on the idea of beauty in the mundane and I read an article by John Thackara about the importance of place. He encourages us to be with real people, in real places, who are changing their lived material reality over emitting messages and simply 'pressing send'. This underscores the importance of place and where things come from, especially where we come from.

This excellent photo project is a collaborative effort by photographers from all over the country, and they are encouraged to post photos depicting the uniqueness of their neighborhood.

This is a photo by Jonathan Lemon from a poetry slam on the Lower East Side.

4. James Welling was repeatedly drawn to the Glass House for these photos because of it's transparency, reflectivity and ability to carry color. He uses different color filters to get these images.

5. James Turrell

So much of James Turrell's work inspires me. He brings celestial scenes down to earth for us mere mortals, and for the past 30 years he created a celestial observatory in Roden crater in Arizona.

“I want to create an atmosphere that can be consciously plumbed with seeing,” says the artist, “like the wordless thought that comes from looking in a fire.” Informed by his studies in perceptual psychology and optical illusions, Turrell’s work allows us to see ourselves “seeing.” Whether harnessing the light at sunset or transforming the glow of a television set into a fluctuating portal, Turrell’s art places viewers in a realm of pure experience.

6. Andy Goldsworthy (previous post)

7. Tara Donovan (previous post)

8. Henri Cartier-Bresson (previous post)

9. Neighborhood flags
Good Magazine asked a few talented designers, artists and illustrators to create flags celebrating their neighborhoods. I love this idea! They took the essence of their experience in their neighborhoods and created a visual representation of it. It would be a really interesting project to go around and ask different people in my neighborhood what their favorite thing is about our area. What is the essence of this neighborhood, and why do you choose to live, work, or hang out here? There would probably be some interesting answers and all really different. The local deli owner, political leaders, teachers, helpers, restauranteurs, the garage guy, doorman, barista at the local coffee place, bar patrons, etc the list could go on. I wonder what draws everyone to my neighborhood, and if that would help me to understand the place better and get a grasp of what the essence is.