The understanding of public spaces should not only be concerned with the physical aspects of the area but more so with the intangible qualities. Every day thousands of people around the world meet - talk - interact within the 'public spaces' and these spaces have an affect on their daily lives. i would like to understand this psychology and etiquette of using public spaces by researching a few plazas in Weimar. e.g. Theatreplatz-Marktplatz-Schillerstrasse
i would like to conduct a series of basic studies: - observing people within a public realm, where they sit - stand - talk -eat - factors governing their choices - proximity to benches or food stalls - climate - patterns of routes through the space
some of the texts i am referring to: "crowds & power" by Canetti "urban interventions" personal projects in public spaces
Thought Process/Brainstorming:
. idea of story telling and walking in the shoes of another person - using audio/visual aid (Janet Cardiff) . playing on emotions of nostalgia and 'home pain' - Heimweh . flip book while walking - seeing through someone else eyes - glimpse into memory of the person . creating associations with place from previous experiences - leaving clues along the way - like crumbs (the flip book and audio is a guide for the visitor - what to see what to look for - a secret tour) . draw a map of Theatreplatz - then walk through schiller strasse and end up on Marktplatz.
reference videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7_uB51UU8s