The photo above was taken in the City of San Fernando. What was interesting to me was the high cultural diversity seen in this small space. An antique colonial house adjacent to a Hindu Temple which is next to a commercial building. To me it shows a struggle for cultural spaces in the city, a fight for their right to a place of worship in this densely packed area, or lack of urban planning. This photo also shows cultural change over time as represented by land use; from residential to cultural to commercial.
Hall and Barrett (2012) describe the mapping of spaces of culture in the city. This fight for cultural space in the city can represent the cultural other of the city, those who are scarcely represented in the city. Organic culture may also be represented in this photo, where there may have been no external agency leading to its form. The cultural change over time also present in the photo shows that. "Culture is something that we actively (re)produce rather than something external to us, (Duncan 1995: 54)."
The following link represents the fight for cultural space in San Feranando:
http://www.historyofthesaints.com/trinidad/book-one/san_fernando.php
This photo is in my opinion is the best, it clearly shows the fight for space by different layers or sectors, to be found in any given city. The use of this small space is very diverse as you pointed out from residential to cultural to commercial. The high density of buildings shown here is a clear characteristic of any city.Thumbs up.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see more in-depth discussion. You've tossed up a lot of ideas, but your readership would like to have your analysis of the situation. Where is there evidence of a "fight" or struggle? You have three spaces -- what evidence is there that 1) these do not have the same owner or b) there is tension between owners? I would like to see more critical analysis of the photos. What is this "right to a place of worship?" -- Can you describe what you mean by this and why designated spaces are important? Traditionally people would worship in each others' homes -- so was their right to a place of worship violated or community-centred?
ReplyDeleteIn terms of "cultural" space, can you tell us anything about the colonial history of SF and the origins of the "antique" house? Tell us about Indian indentureship and worship -- break it down, please.
If you have a link that gives evidence of the "fight for cultural space" you can analyse this or reference it in your discussion!