dmariel, 2/1/09

Our field trip downtown gave me an extremely useful way to think about the postmodern terms that we are learning. I would like to now apply them to other things in the world so that I can understand how they relate to our everyday life. Learning and looking at Orlando’s architecture gives me a hands on way to remember this new vocabulary. My favorite building that we observed was the Orlando courthouse. I have always thought it was a beautiful place, and now that I know some deeper meaning to its construction I enjoy its presence that much more. What stands out in my mind the most is Dr. Casey’s anamnesis relation of the shape of the 3 buildings to a justice chair. Now every time I look at the building that is all I can think of!
After looking at some of the newest Dubai architecture, I decided to look up some more pictures online. After googling Dubai architecture, I got numerous websites about the new bridge that is planned to be finished by 2012. It will be the largest and tallest arch bridge in the world when it is completed. The arches are supposed to reach 670 feet high, and there will also be a metro run through the middle of twelve car lanes. I usually don’t appreciate architecture very much due to the fact that it takes away from nature, but some of the things that are being built in Dubai are absolutely amazing, it is hard to believe it is real.
I was also skimming through a recent vanity fair magazine and one of the cover stories was about architecture. I jumped right to the pages just to see many of the buildings we covered in our class powerpoint. Although the articles next to the photos do not use any of our new vocabulary, they do talk about the switch from modernism to postmodernism in architecture. The magazine also featured many of the upcoming projects in Dubai. I definitely have a greater appreciation now for architecture and the way that buildings can show forms of power, creativity, and most importantly the history of culture.