Psychogeographic Comparison Between the Text Written by Bennett and Condon - Essay Example

? Psychogeography Total Number of Words: 2,000 Introduction Psychogeography is all about the process of examiningthe impact of geographic environment on the emotional, cognitive, and psychological well-being of a person (Coverley, Psychogeography, 2010, p. 10). Basically, what most psychogeographers does is to examine the impact of an organized geographic environment as compared to those environments that are not organized. Regardless of whether or not the geographic environment is organized or not, psychogeographers pay close attention to how the environment would affect the behaviour and emotions of each person (Debord, 1955). In some cases, psychogeography is also concern on how the environment could influence how a person thinks (Prescott-Steed, 2013, p. 46). The study of psychogeography is significant in the profession of engineers and architects. Specifically the common elements associated with the study of psychogeography include: cultural and social critique, marginalized urban experiences, past experiences, re-enchantment of cityscape, space, spatial history, trauma, and walking. In relation to the common elements of psychogeography, this report aims to critically analyze and compare the context of Alan Bennet’s “A life like other people” (2009) with Matt Condon’s “Brisbane” (2010). Psychogeographic Comparison between the Text Written by Bennett (2009) and Condon (2010) In relation to the elements of psychogeography, there are similarities in the context of extracts take from the works of Bennett (2009) and Condon (2010). One of the most obvious similarities between these two context is that the past experiences, regardless of whether or not the said experience is traumatic or a happy event a person has on a specific place, can last for a lifetime. For instance, Bennett (2009) mentoned that after so many years, he remembered a man who drowned in a canal situated close to the university boathouse at Calverley. This particular event has created a negative experience for Bennett. Bennett (2009) also remembered the hill that runs down to Rodley, the canal that runs parallel the railway, and in between the canal and the railway runs the Aire river. All these fixed environmental features brought back some old memories to Bennett. At the age of 20, Condon (2010) left Brisbane – the place where he was born. After 47 long years, Condon (2010) decided to go back to his hometown again. He live in the same house which is situated hundreds of metres away from the ponds. Condon mentioned that he remembered or at least he was able to imagine his childhood days within the same geographic area. Despite all the significant changes that took place within the same environment (i.e. the presence of computer stores, tanning salons, office buildings, and the bitumen road), Condon (2010) felt that nothing much has significantly changed due to the fact that the river, hills, and gullies are still situated in the same place. Basically, these two (2) entirely different scenarios clearly strongly suggest that the act of going back to the same geographic environment, regardless of the changes that took place in the city, could bring out the same old memories and/or the same old feeling each person had while staying in the same place. Change is the only thing that is constant in this world. In relation to the concept of urbanization, psychogeography is commonly used in the process of enabling human beings to change the urban life (Coverley, Psychogeography, 2010, p. 10). Within this context, psychogeographers usually aim to examine the impact of different ambience of urban places on the feelings, emotions, mental stability, and socializing behaviour of people (Del Casino et al., 2011, p. 285; Prescott-Steed, 2013, p. 46). This further explains why most of the modern architects today are carefully analyzing how light can significantly affect positive ambience in space when creating a new architectural design (Knabb, 2007, p. 4). Re-enchantment of the cityscape is another common element being discussed under the study of psychogeography. Specifically the term “enchantment” in this context could mean attraction. Therefore, re-enchantment would mean coming up with some environmental changes which could serve as a totally new attraction. Specifically the gradual change in the design, landscape of a particular environment could also mean changing the ambiance a person could feel in the same geographic space (Debord, 1955). In line with this, Debord (1955) explained that cemented and well-lit streets can create a positive psychological impact whereas streets without light can create a negative emotional impact on the part of the passers-by or those people living in the area. Re-enchantment of the cityscape is noteable in the text written by Bennett (2009) and Condon (2010). For instance, before deciding to check on the place where the boathouse is situated, Bennett (2009) took some time to check on an old map whether or not the said boathouse did exist in back in 1925. Likewise, Bennett (2009) also mentioned that he was amazed to know that trams service is already available in the place where he grew up, somewhere in Kirkstall going to Bingley. After the long travel, Bennett (2009) was pretty much surprised to learn that the boathouse no longer exist. Instead, what he saw was a “swing bridge” which he thought would be used to transfer the cattles. In the case of Condon (2010), the author mentioned that some of the changes that happened in the place where he grew up includes the presence of computer stores, tanning salons, office buildings, and the bitumen road. As part of re-enchantment purposes, Condon (2010) mentioned that he remrembers that there were some “historical landmarks” in Brisbane that was onece demolished. Specifically the changes that took place in Condon’s (2010) hometown are actually signs of having a marginalized urban experience. In general, the use of artistic environmental scheme can create a positive emotional impact on people. In line with this, Bennett (2009) explained that having some flower beds, kerb painting, and the white stones used in the design of the heritage trail makes the place “looks nice”. Specifically the remark given by Bennett (2009) strongly suggest that the use of art in the actual design of the environment can help create a positive psychological and emotional impact on the part of the viewer. On the contrary, the old pub that was not well-maintained gives the viewer a sense of feeling that the place has once been well-maintained, now neglected (Bennett, 2009). Likewise, the place where the boathouse was onece located has been replaced by his aunty’s grave (Bennett, 2009). Perhaps, the process of seeing his aunty’s grave and the old pub being isolated may have triggered a sense of negative feelings on the part of Bennett. A town with a very high rate of crime, violence, aggression, and poverty can also be the main source of negative impression, thought, or feelings (Condon, 2010; Coverley, 2010, p. 13). Discussion Situationalist is all about studying the laws that governs the impact of geographic environment on the emotional behaviour and consciousness of an individual (Debord, 1996, p. 18). Specifically the point whereby the study of art, history, sociology, map making, geography, concept of situationalist, and psychology intersect is what psychogeography is really made of. By carefully analyzing the significant elements of psychogeography, it is easier to understand how the geographic environment could affect the overall well-being of a person. Analyzing the overall psychological impact of an urban space is referring to the process wherein a person would reflect upon the time and events that has taken place in one’s own life (Del Casino et al., 2011, p. 286). On the other hand, the process of mapping time and space in relation to a common heritage is known as walking (Coverley, 2012). In most cases, walking enables a person to challenge himself when it comes to examining the routes and other common representation of a given place (Coverley, 2010, p. 12). In fact, walking could sometimes go beyond what the human eyes can see in our surroundings. Similar to a meditative practice, Coverley (2012) explained that walking is a journey that takes place within the mind of a person. Within this context, psychogeography is all about being able to reflect on one’s own personal experience, feelings, and thoughts with regards to how a specific geographic location or place could impact their psychological well-being. Specifically the human mind is so powerful in the sense that people are capable of recalling past events or feelings that one has experienced in the past. In line with this, Bennett (2009) and Condon (2010) were actually reflecting about their past experiences about the place where they had spend their childhood days. Whether or not these experiences are kept silent or had been previously expressed verbally or in writing; it will remain a fact that it is not easy to communicate exactly the psychological impact of the events that has taken place within an urban space. The only thing that is obvious is that a tragedy related to death of a person can trigger negative emotions such as grief and sorrow whereas a victory can trigger the development of a positive emotion such as happiness or contentment. As a result of industrialization and capitalism, environmental changes become unavoidable. Often times, significant changes within the environment can create a marginalized urban experience within a given space. Even though significant landmarks such as hills, mountains, water sources such as lake and river are more likely to remain in the same location, other environmental features such as buildings, houses, and park are constantly subject to change over time. Because of the presence of fixed environmental features, the human mind will forever be capable of bringing back the past experiences. In relation to the study of psychogeography, it is important to consider the size, scale, and space that are present within a geographic region. The term “space” is actually pertaining not only to the structure but also with the geometrical qualities of the location including the kind of experience it gives to the person who is observing the environment (Hjorth et al., 2007). For instance, a negative spatiality can be associated with having a troublesome life experience (Del Casino et al., 2011, p. 288). On the other hand, the presence of artistic monuments, landscape, or structure can create a positive impression, feelings, or thoughts on the person who witness the given geographic environment. As part of the marginalized urbanization programme, significant change that is taking place within a geographic environment is necessary. In some cases, changes that are taking place within a geographic environment are caused by the need for re-enchantment purposes. There are also some instances wherein these environmental changes are triggered by government intervention (Condon, 2010). For example, the government may want to push a project that needs to be situated in a specific geographical area. In this case, demolishing buildings or other structures presented in the area may be necessary. Conclusion Psychogeographers are focused on examining the ambience of an urban space. In line with this, the process of understanding the urban life is more than describing what we can observe in our surroundings. In most cases, psychogeography is more concern on what a person has experienced while staying in the city. In most cases, events related to crime, violence, aggression, and poverty could trigger the development of negative impression, feelings, and thoughts with regards to a specific geographic region. On the other hand, attractive landscape, artistic designs, the presence of colorful flowers, and well-lit environment all contribute to the development of a positive impression, feelings, and thoughts. Both texts written by Bennett (2009) and Condon (2010) explores their personal experiences with regards to their thoughts, feelings, and current impression with regards to their hometown. As part of psychogeography, Bennett (2009) and Condon (2010) employs the concept of walking which pertains to the process of wondering through the use of their minds. Upon analyzing the personal experiences of both Bennett (2009) and Condon (2010), it is clear that the past impression a person has on a specific place or an environment could actually last a lifetime. For this reason, modern architects and engineers are carefully studying how they can make space more appealing to people. References Bennett, A. (2009). A life like other peoples. London: Faber & Faber. Condon, M. (2010). Brisbane. Sydney: University of New South Wales Press. Coverley, M. (2010). Psychogeography. Harpenden, Herts: Pocket Essentials. Coverley, M. (2012). 'The Return of the Walker', in The Art of Wandering: the Writer as Walker. Harpenden: Oldcastle Books. Debord, G. (1955). Chapter 3 - Introduction to a Critique of Urban Geography. Translated by Ken Knabb. [Online] Available at: https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10214/1798/3-Debord.pdf?sequence=1 [Accessed 20 October 2013]. Debord, G. (1996). Introduction to a critique of urban geography (1955) trans. Paul Hammond. In Andreotti and Costa (eds) "Theory of the derive and other situationist writings". Barcelona: MACBA and ACTAR. Del Casino, V., Thomas, M., Cloke, P. and Panelli, R. (2011). A Companion to Social Geography. West Sussex: Blackwell Publishing. Hjorth, L., Milne, E., Gibbs, M. and Pisan, Y. (2007). IE2007: Proceedings of the 4th Australasian Conference on Interactive Entertainment. Melbourne: School of Creative Media, RMIT University. Knabb, K. (2007). Situationist International Anthology. Berkeley: Bureau Of Public Secrets. Prescott-Steed, D. (2013). The Psychogeography of Urban Architecture. Florida: Brown Walker Press. Read More