Urban Identities and Cosmopolitanism - Essay Example

Urban Identities & Cosmopolitanism This paper will try to show how art, architecture and urban identity are intricately and inexorably linked. How both at the conscious and subconscious level, objects of art impose on our senses and thoughts and help us identify cities and towns. Individuals recognize specific elements in works of art and architecture and connect them to specific places, very often relying on the basic senses of vision, smell, taste and sound to remember them. People and their surroundings are interdependent on each other. People develop their identities based on their surroundings and create art and architecture which in turn influence their surroundings. Historically, the lack of efficient means of travel and communication allowed this trend to mature in regional isolation. This paper will also explore how urban identities react to and integrate with cosmopolitism. Ultimately, how art benefits a particular place and positively influences it growth in the modern age. Interaction of People and their Surroundings “When we build, let us think that we build for ever.”1 The collective identity of people is very often based on their place of origin. Their place of origin can be demarcated by either predominating art or architecture. “Architecture is a social act and the material theatre of human activity.”2 A city is made up of a collection of buildings with one of two outstanding architectural renditions dominating the skyline. It is these marvels that make up the heart and soul of a city and provide a city with a distinct identity. The same can be said of great masterpieces of art which lend importance to a town or city. “There are three forms of visual art: Painting is art to look at, sculpture is art you can walk around, and architecture is art you can walk through”3. Art and architecture are some of the most effective mediums of expression. They have captured the various cultural phases through the ages and are still doing so, making them appropriate cultural practices to identify with. Throughout the ages art has expressed the subconscious thoughts and feelings of its creators. Art can claim to appeal to its viewers on a subconscious and conscious level resulting in ingrained ideas of places. One such ingrained image is the Tower Bridge in London. An important feature of London this bridge spanning the Thames is globally recognized, partly resulting from its use in television and media. It is also imprinted in the memories of visitors and residents alike. This iconic landmark is only one among many which dot London city and lend to its charm. 4 Another London landmark is the BA London Eye. Otherwise known as the Millennium wheel, the BA London Eye is the world’s tallest ferris wheel and it dominates the city skyline. One of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, it is an icon which grabs a viewers attention providing London with instant recognition. 5 London has a rich historical heritage dating back to the period of its incorporation, with the city witnessing several tumultuous events including the Norman conquest of England. London is just one among the numerous cities that have captured global attention by virtue of their urban identity. A blend of traditional art, architecture and modernity, this city influences Londoners and gives them a unique perspective on the world “All architecture is shelter, all great architecture is the design of space that contains, cuddles, exalts, or stimulates the persons in that space.”6 A city’s identity is inevitably tied with the needs, values and ideals of its residents. That is why one city’s identity vastly differs from the next. The factors that influence a city’s identity are unique and very often arise from the place where the city is built and contributing historical and social elements. Cities are recognizing the benefits of having important art exhibits and galleries in their midst. Not only do they add to the overall value of the city but make it attractive to tourists. An important exhibition synonymous with London is Madame Tussauds wax museum in London. Although it has braches in many countries, Madame Tussauds provides instant recognition to London. A few photographs of wax figures from Madame Tussauds are quite enough to let a person know that they are looking at images from London. 7 This trend of using art to add to the face value of a city and literally give it a new lease of life is being used by many cities the world over. Regional Isolation and Associated Identities Regional isolation is the main factor contributing towards the creating of specific urban and social identities. Many urban and social identities are not recent but have evolved over several centuries. These identities are either common to a region or are specific to a particular city. Very often regional identities such as those in Glasgow and the Outer Hebrides in Scotland are maintained in addition to a strong national Scottish identity. Edinburgh has managed to retain its Scottish identity while keeping up with cosmopolitan trends. This identity which is instantly recognisable is exemplified by the Great Highland Bagpipes, tartan kilts, and Scotch whiskey. These traditional exports of Scotland are popular the world over and are easily identified with Scotland as the Big Ben is with London. Generally, the sound of bagpipes is associated with Scotland and while several other versions of the bagpipe remain the Great Highland Bagpipe is recognised the world over. 8 Modern Reinvention of Urban Identities “The mother art is architecture. Without an architecture of our own we have no soul of our own civilization.”9 Recognising that a unique urban identity lends itself to art and culture, several cities without a clear historical, cultural or social heritage have taken up the task of building a unique identity for themselves. This quasi-promotional agenda has become quite popular with cities like Munster indulging in contemporary city based art programs. In this site specific work titled "Sculpture. Projects in Munster 1977" artists including Richard Serra, Michael Asher and Joseph Beuys were roped in to link the location to sculpture. Spanning a period of three decades starting from 1977 to 1997 the exhibitions in Munster have showcased the increasing difficulty of linking a changing urban environment to art. Cosmopolitanism and its Affect on Urban Identity “In general cosmopolitanism endorses reflective distance from one’s cultural affiliations, a broad understanding of other cultures and customs, and a belief in universal humanity10. This being the chief premise of cosmopolitanism, one might be lead to believe that all is well with cosmopolitanism and transitioning to it would be a cakewalk. Even given the current scenario of increased global communications and networking this premise of cosmopolitanism is pretty hard to attain. Cosmopolitism has many positive effects but there are several negative points such as drug abuse, sexual trafficking of children and women, violence, restriction of individual rights, fear of terrorism etc. Cities with distinct urban identities are increasingly using the benefits of cosmopolitanism to provide its residents with the benefits of the modern world. These cities with unique architecture and art, often thousands of years old are recognizing that retaining their unique identity in a modern cosmopolitan world is a balancing act. An act that could help them take their identity into the next millennium in the best possible manner. Major cities such as New York and London have gained global recognition from their inherent urban identity. Their urban identities result from a melting pot of cultures, people and languages. In fact these cities have proven that the richer and more culturally diverse an urban identity is the more likely it is to flourish in the modern age. The importance of an urban identity gains prominence when seen in the light of current global threats such as terrorism. Most urban identities are founded on a city’s historical past and cultural heritage, providing a foundation into which new residents and their identities can be assimilated. If a city’s identity is capable of amalgamating various forms of art and architecture, reinventing itself with the times, and creating a better version of itself it virtually guarantees itself a place in the heart and mind of the international community. A city’s identity is a personification of the communities and cultures it shelters, and healthy blend of such makes an excellent urban identity. Cosmopolitism when added to this mixture can ensure that a city progresses with time while retaining its art and architecture. References 1. Ruskin, John. English Art Critic. 2. Kostof, Spiro. Writer and Professor of Architectural history. 3. Rice, Dan. 4. Tower bridge. http://www.hartwell.demon.co.uk/tbpic.htm 5. BA London Eye. http://www.freefoto.com/preview.jsp?id=31-17-8&k=British+Airways+London+Eye 6. Johnson, Philip. 7. Madame Tussauds. http://www.picturesofengland.com/England/Greater_London/London/Madame_Tussauds/pictures8 8. Bagpiper. http://images.google.co.in/imgres?imgurl=http://mishami.image.pbase.com/u45/kms/large/29557094.arealbagpiperinedinburgh.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.pbase.com/kms/image/29557094&h=800&w=600&sz=105&hl=en&start=14&tbnid=jWtOlkF3eV741M:&tbnh=143&tbnw=107&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbagpiper%2Bpicture%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX 9. Wright, Frank Lloyd. American Architect and Writer. 10. Anderson, Amanda. ‘Cosmopolitanism, Universalism and the Divided Legacies of Modernity’, in Pheng Cheah and Bruce Robbins (eds), Cosmopolitics: Thinking and Feeling Beyond the Nation, Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1998: 267 Read More