In the three readings âOccupying public space, 2011â, âThe office of the peopleâ and âThe Artist Will Have to Decide Whom to Serveâ Â it discusses how public space can alter a personâs beliefs, environmental surroundings as well as the influence of expected behaviors. According to âOccupying Public Space, 2011â written by the authors Franck and Huang, it elaborates on the utilization of the public space Zuccotti park, as a location to conduct the âOccupy wall streetâ movement. Although Franck and Huang began the discussion of free will within the park atmosphere they slowly progress into demonstrating how people started to abuse the public space. Inmates who were freed from rikers as well as homeless people took advantage of the shelter that Zuccotti park provided. Despite the initial intentions of the usage of the park it progressed to a seperation between the âpunks and political science majorsâ. Originally the use of the park public space is negotiated by the people, then slowly transitioned to law enforcement creating regulations and limiting the amount of activities as well as the reduction of people entering. The overcrowding of people, tents, clothing and mattresses changed the parks beautiful surroundings from being a place of freedom and speech to constantly being radared by the police. On the other hand, âThe office of the peopleâ it creates a platform of ideas regarding to who has power over space. Golan states that in order to have authority you must meet high economical statues, such as being a CEO or a masterâs degree. Â Behavioral activities are expected by the space, it tells you how to act, how to think, whatâs appriopate and whatâs shunned down upon. Golan supports the idea that places it should be an area where every can be them. âMost places in our society is restrictive, regulatory spaces meant to maintain the status quoâ. Removing the negotiation of how public space is utilized by authorities into the hands of the people, it will initiate an increase on creativity and improvement arts and cultures. The redefining of such spaces, Â it will allow people to give the space a story rather than space defining them. Jeanne Van Heewisjkâs article âThe Artist Will Have to Decide Whom to Serveâ also discusses how spaces can be altered by people and how âcultural interventionsâ can play a crucial role of public transformations. The usage of expressing oneâs ideas and cultural beliefs can limit people being âdisinvested and excluded from their own environmentâ. Undergoing a reform on public domains will enhance the number of âactive citizensâ. Heewisjkâs also points out that âbecoming part of the community and being a part of neighborhood change is keyâ. This can ignite a public space to be filled with endless opportunities. Although this will redefine the usage of space, it has to be conducted carefully and with collaboration from the community. Overall all three articles discuss how the selection of negotiation on public space can generate a sustainable way of living where cultural and political beliefs can be expressed freely without authority regulating peopleâs behaviors.
Great discussion of the tension between freedom and transgressive uses of space that can lead to surveillance and regulation of public spaces. Glad you highlight the significance of cultural interventions as both part of how the use of space is negotiated and how beliefs are freely expressed in public spaces. -NA