For my project, I chose to observe
the diag and the space created by the trees, the sidewalks and the buildings.
This is a unique space because it is a very defined out-door domain. The space
is framed by all of these things. The sidewalk is clearly a space for walking,
the grassy areas and under the trees are places people lounge (and feed
squirrels) so as not to block traffic, and the buildings give the area a
boundary. The central space, by the M, is to me the most interesting part
because it has different uses, but not at different times of the day. It is not
sidewalk, but people walk brusquely through it on their way to class. It is not
a grassy area, but people often have tables advertising clubs and philanthropy
events set up. Even during the week leading up to the Michigan State game there
are people on couches “protecting” the M—then it becomes a lounging area as
well.
During passing time the diag
becomes most animated. It is filled with people all walking purposefully in
different directions, yet the people set up at stands remain stationary. It is
interesting to see the contrast between these people during this time. As
people pass through, the center of the diag becomes alive. It can fulfill all
of its purposes at once. When the diag is empty, it has a stately feel. The
area in front of the Graduate Library becomes less approachable and more like a
grand entrance to a palace. As people move through the space, they make it
easier to comprehend. It is easier to see what is “appropriate” behavior and to
get a sense of how the space actually functions. It becomes apparent that the
experience of the passerby on a weekday or during a passing time is vastly
different than that of someone coming through on a weekend. The domain of this space
becomes immediately defined by the people interacting with it. I chose to shoot
from this extremely high angle with the drone because I thought it gave the best sense of how
the space functions in different ways at the same time, and highlighted the
unique path of each individual passing through. I left the noise of the drone in the video (but turned it down) because I think it is important to remember that this is not a natural vantage point--it is aided by the use of a machine.
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