Space is always political!

For this week, our reading was from Spatial Practices: Modes of Action and Engagement with the City by Melanie Dodd. She is Professor and Head of Architecture at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, a post she has held since January 2021. She was previously at Central St Martin’s in London (since 2013). 
Melanie Dodd's concept, "Space is always political," is like saying that the way we arrange and use places is linked to political choices and who holds power. It points out that politics, involving decisions made by those in charge, strongly influences our spaces. Take city planning, for example – where buildings or parks go, or how resources are spread across a community. These decisions are guided by politics. This idea emphasizes that spaces aren't just about their physical existence; they're shaped by the power struggles and decisions of those in authority. Understanding this helps us see that our spaces are more than just places; they're also a reflection of the political choices that impact our daily lives. 
Imagine a town where a new housing development is planned. If the people in charge decide to place it far away from schools, hospitals, and grocery stores, it reflects a political choice. This decision can impact residents who may now face longer commutes for essential services. On the other hand, if the decision-makers prioritize placing these amenities close to the new homes, it shows a different political choice that prioritizes convenience for the community.
So, when we say "Space is always political," we mean that decisions about where things are located or how resources are distributed in a town involve politics. It's not just about the physical layout; it's about the choices made by those in power, and these choices affect the everyday lives of the people who live there.





For this week, our task was to draw in three different ways, all with closed eyes! I chose a view from Eldons's garden facing the north side of the building.

The first one was without paying too much attention and it included my feelings. sounds from around. In that situation, I could hear peoples conversation, air conditioner sound, the noise of the cars and seagal's sound and I tried to draw all of them. 


For the second one, I analyzed the view for 5 minutes with open eyes and then started to draw most of the things that had in front of myself. 

Then for the last drawing, I tried to capture the view with more details but based on my chosen words, Confront, Question and breath. 

I emphasised breath by drawing the tree, Confront can be seen in benches and the Question is the method of the design of Eldon's building and combination of curves and sharp edges! 








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