This is a view from the softball field on campus near the JMU Convocation Center. I am on the JMU club softball team and we practice here four days a week; therefore, this is a spot that I see consistently. I chose to take a picture of this area because after our class discussions about Environmental Determinism I started to notice the relevance of this scene. The parking lot below is very large and accommodates many cars interested in going to the convocation center, UREC, or even the Arboretum. The trees and nature in the background show the vast beauty of Harrisonburg. In my eyes this represents the balance between nature and development that Harrisonburg and many other cities struggle with. The designers of this area probably had to build this parking lot out of necessity without realizing the paradox taking place in that it is surrounded completely by nature. It almost seems that the trees are specifically there to attempt to draw your attention away from the parking. This is a snapshot of how I will remember JMU because it captures so much of the struggle between the busy development of this area and necessity to accommodate this, and the beauty and solitude of nature (and the attempt to preserve that).
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Nikki Peros' Madison Space for 4/7
This is a view from the softball field on campus near the JMU Convocation Center. I am on the JMU club softball team and we practice here four days a week; therefore, this is a spot that I see consistently. I chose to take a picture of this area because after our class discussions about Environmental Determinism I started to notice the relevance of this scene. The parking lot below is very large and accommodates many cars interested in going to the convocation center, UREC, or even the Arboretum. The trees and nature in the background show the vast beauty of Harrisonburg. In my eyes this represents the balance between nature and development that Harrisonburg and many other cities struggle with. The designers of this area probably had to build this parking lot out of necessity without realizing the paradox taking place in that it is surrounded completely by nature. It almost seems that the trees are specifically there to attempt to draw your attention away from the parking. This is a snapshot of how I will remember JMU because it captures so much of the struggle between the busy development of this area and necessity to accommodate this, and the beauty and solitude of nature (and the attempt to preserve that).
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This is very interesting idea. I agree that the trees are certainly planted to divert attention from the asphalt parking lot. This is also a main area that people park in to tour the campus making this one of people's first impressions. While it is certainly beautiful I feel it is also a very calculated move on the part of the university, with campus tours in mind.
ReplyDeleteHarris Lipscomb
Dr. Mulrooney