For my urban study, I chose to take a satirical, philosophical position in observing the metro to offer a oppositional commentary on the functionality––albeit banality––of our urbanized livelihood. While urban spaces intend to make our lives easier through form function and derivative design, I wanted to question whether such systematized proficiency is always worthwhile. Such an environment not only encourages but insists upon a systematized mindset––one which the metro embodies well: a robotic routine condemning spontaneity; that is, enter Point A, exit Point B, stand still only to watch the “2 minute” countdown and don’t forget to glance as you rush past advertisements telling you what else you could be doing not only different but better! Auge’s deeply poetic reading of the metro first inspired me to make a humanistic philosophical attempt, Benjamin’s understanding of “players” enlightened me to make a game of it! Calvino, who has been of profound personal influence for years, nudged me further to By streamlining sarcastic language of cues and mimicking the design of a metro map, I wanted to condemn the monotonous system by infusing it with childlike mindlessness, in hope to evoke a measure of gratitude for dysfunction.
Rather than colorful candy paths, friendly temporal jails, “don’t pass go’s”, shiny trophies, and swirly rabbit holes––our modern urban scapes are too often drained of the potential of exploration––the frivolous joy of naivety. So while this world may be filled with amusement parks, playgrounds and basketball courts designated for time wasted wonderfully in the back and forth of play––such time is a human necessity despite years lived. The more years lived the more potential invested in “meaning” albeit the potential lost from lack of the childish bliss of swings and hopscotch and the pleasant downfalls of tumbling Jenga blocks. The more modern, technological, reactionary our urban becomes––the weaker our grasp on curious humanity becomes––that is, exploration, uncertainty, diversion, dysfunction. So––despite such rigid systems of functionality that this so-called advanced world insists upon––and with the foremost intention of spiting those who attempt to rain on our parade of many costume changes––my urban scape suggests that mindset is not always worthy of our time. So hop off the 11 at Chatelet––hold your nose!––and instead walk and reminisce on the time when books were read in your mothers voice rather than skimmed to pretend you know what it is that you’re meant to be doing. Rather than rushing to catch the metro, recall the bliss of mini-van car ride naps on the way to those amusement parks you used to frequent more often––the ones you may see again only once you have children of our own. Just as in the board game––with their instructions, players, inconveniences and rewards––our urban landscapes offer such opportunity for experience––emotional, transitional, dynamic; that is––if only we let it. As Calvino would say, the livelihood of cities comes forth if only we alter our social theory.
Some biases and blindspots that may come with my choice are of course if viewers have not experienced the metro, being that some of the jokes are particular to the metro/Chatelet. Luckily, having taken the childish design approach, I think design biases are limited; however, the level of the language and subtlety of sarcastic humor is no longer meant for children. Nonetheless, even children can feel the banality of the metro, they just have yet to put it into words while their Mom tugs them along through the winding hallways.
MIRO LINK : https://miro.com/app/board/o9J_kvERSo8=/
