In Redesigning Public Art, Rethinking Architecture.
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| THE ABOVE IS A CONCEPTUAL RENDERING OF THE INTEGRATION THAT IS HAPPENING |
"Looking at Development through Art-Design...
As we go further and further into this conversation of
development and heritage. We have forgotten how we can use art-design as a
methodology to solve issues
related to the management of space. Through social dialogue, we
can map-out how in the future activities in the Savannah can be developed and
maintained, even the contradictory demands on its usage.
Many are not aware of the structural possibilities of art-design
to transform community spaces, which have multiple uses. Developing a space
that incorporates democratic values and environmental sustainability means yes,
establishing boundaries, drawing the line and sticking to that line, both at
the state level and most importantly at the community level.
Currently our spaces are not:
- democratically
developed to enhance the wonderful properties of the green space. Our
spaces are developed for adult physical activities (mainly masculine
activities) and have excluded 'other' users due to the oversight of
our planners. These 'other' users include the elderly and children who
simply want to play or sit and enjoy the green ambiance. Play is
undervalued in Trinidad and Tobago, the child or teenager who wants to
relax quietly under a tree and read, getting away from parents in a
meditative environment has no space to do so. I was once fortunate to see
the original plan by Architect, Colin Laird 1950-1960's design of the
early Orange Grove Savannah. It included a ring of trees, spaces for
people to play and chill as well as for football and cricket. The
conversation around heritage, is therefore also a conversation about
landscape design and management.
- adhering
to any philosophy in relation to the use of community space. There
is the responsibility of the Regional Corporation to support the interests
of diverse groups of burgesses, and there is the right of a
community to protect what it sees as important, all knocking at each
other.
Then there is art-design and citizens and burgesses interested
in the aesthetics, heritage and inclusiveness of the space, wanting an
opportunity to present to citizens, the potential to respond to both sets of
interests through evidence-based possibilities in ways in which the
community would be proud. The link below probably summarizes better than I do
the ideas that I have been trying to present.
The use of art-design in enhancing community aesthetics based on
consultations and conversations with community members, provides an opportunity
to develop communities along the lines of innovation, social justice and
progressive social aesthetics. Unfortunately our one-dimensional education
system has systematically undermined the native creativity and artistry
of our people, pushing it underground into criminal and anti-social behaviour.
This is an opportunity to contribute to the Trinidad and Tobago that we all want
and need."
The above, statement was made in an open Save the Savannah email, copied into the email was the Chair of the Regional Corporation, Councilors, Pennsylvania University colleagues, Planning people, Geographers. All in opening the dialog.
It was it this moment, things changed, for the Tacarigua Sculptural PlaySpace Project, as the project has been embraced as a methodology in resolving some of the issues.
have the opportunity in placing art
into an architectural methodology,
creating a sculptural planning methodology.
NEVER WANT TO BE SOLELY LOCATED IN PLAY.
IT WANTED TO PLAY IN COMMUNITIES,
ALLOWING COMMUNITIES TO BE PLAYFULLY AESTHETIC.
iN all their wonderful, beautiful, empowering aspectS of themselves.
IS A METHODOLOGY STEEPED IN THE SOCIAL/THE ANTHROPOLOGICAL
WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT @ THE CENTRE OF PLANNING THERE MUST BE AN AESTHETICS.
THIS AESTHETICS DOES NOT REALLY HAVE TO RELY OF ARCHITECTURE,
AS MUCH AS ARCHITECTURE SHOULD RELY ON IT.
