This space is in the Short Pump Mall. This fountain is the central point of the mall with different wings coming off of it. To the left of the picture there is a partially visible green space. In this space there are occasionally concerts and different community activities like a local singing competition. To the right, on this particular day, there was a miniature petting zoo. In this space in the winter, there is a giant Christmas tree as tall as the second floor of the mall. This means no matter what time of the year it is, this space is a convenient and important meeting place and place for fun community activities. It gives it a feeling of democracy and choice because people feel free to meet each other or enjoy the music playing, however there are many restrictions on what you can do in this place. And also even though you may just be at the mall to see the concert, chances are the bombardment of advertising will suck you, especially children, in. For example, my mom and I went to the mall to take pictures for this blog post, while we were there she stopped herself from going into two stores (because we were had somewhere to be) and I had to stop myself from going into one. The space in the picture and the mall in general is very much symbolic of the surrounding Short Pump area where very few places are left to be uninfluenced by consumerism.
This mall does have the bombardment of advertising, I can second that. It's like a Feed that we have been reading about! But, instead of it being in your head you are walking pass the stores and signs are in your viewing and you just can't seem to keep walking. This mall does also have that central space located downstairs. I feel like also the architecture of the mall by having it outside and different levels that are open and one can look down to the central area shows that the planning wasn't sprawled but well thought out. The planning was to as the "Reclaiming and Remaking Public Space," to recognize their central relation to public and civic life. Being that this is an outside mall, even though there are no windows in individual stores, the customers can still have a connection to the outside by way of walking out of the store. Hopefully, what I am saying can be seen in the picture. I agree with Mattson's article that every building carries meaning and I feel Short Pump is a mall but invites people to interact and provide opportunities to persuade others.
ReplyDeleteThe above post was published by me Tamara Washington Dr. H. I forgot to put my name on it
DeleteThis area makes me think of the article we read in class about the shopping malls. It is privately owned and therefore private space, but because it is meant for public use it seems like public space. It seems as though this is the main area of the mall and a meeting place that people use. It seems to be very communal and accessible to all the people in the nearby area. This gives the people the feeling that it can be used as they please, but since it is private space I bet there are some rules that are associated with the use of this space. For example, this space probably could not be used to picket or voice their political opinions. I enjoy spaces like these, but I feel as though it would be smart for their to be places like this that are truly public space. (comment by Jennifer Urban Dr. H's class)
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw this picture of Short Pump Mall I was drawn to it because I had also been there that weekend! In class, we had talked about how malls seem like a public space but they are privately owned. Since this mall is an outdoor mall, it gives individuals the idea that it is a public area where they are able to do as they wish; For example have a protest in the area near the fountain. Though it seems public, it is a place of consumption. In the post about, it explains how the fountain is the center of the mall where many people can gather giving an illusion of public space. This is true, but around the center are stores. These are the reason that people attend a mall; to buy something. This mall seems like a public area but in reality it is not. (comment by Molly Kelliher Dr. H's class)
ReplyDeleteWhen I first glanced at this picture I thought it was a mall called Easton Town Center that we have back in my hometown of Columbus, Ohio. I love the scenery in this picture. I’m very much so a people person, so places like this, is where I fit in. I like to mingle and meet new people and as you can see in this picture; this is a community based environment. As mentioned in the caption, this is a nice place to go and hang out during the summer. You can’t go wrong when shopping, food and fun are involved all at once in the same atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteDevon Moore
Gamst 200
DR.H
This is indeed a very public space since it is in the middle of the mall setting. The consequences of this place it that it can be very crowded which may be uncomfortable for some people. Not only is this fountain in the middle of the mall...but it is in a great location on richmond! Its prime location is in the center of many consumer's public spaces. It is also in Richmond, which is the capital of virginia!
ReplyDelete-Catherine Harris
I also considered taking a picture of the mall in my hometown. I think it is a really good example of the difference between public and private space as we talked about in class. Although malls seem like a public space they are privately owned. Caitlin also mentions how being outside at concerts and things sometimes make you feel like it is a public space, which is also true of the mall in my hometown. I like this picture because it really shows how big the mall is, but the focal point is still the fountain in the center. Although I have never been here, it seems like the architectures did this on purpose to show they had a central plan and built the mall around this point. Greenburg’s article discusses a lot of these similar ideas of universities’ layouts, which in a lot of ways relate to malls.
ReplyDelete-Megan Dubs for Dr. H’s class