Notes on Reading Icons and Aliens by John J. Costonis
Ch 3. Icons and Aliens
P49 - Restoration after Catastrophe
The idea of cities quickly restoring themselves after catastrophe is deeply tied to identity and historical continuity. The example of Warsaw’s post-WWII restoration shows how significant symbols (like the sculpted marble horse) can become focal points of memory, not just for their artistic value but as emblems of resilience. The challenge lies in the process of restoration, where even fragments of the original can hold meaning. The act of recreating parts of a city or artifact from what remains can be seen as a balance between memory and innovation.
Formulation:
Restoration is not just about rebuilding structures but about conserving the collective memory embedded in them.
The process is not always an exact replication but involves adapting the old with new materials and perspectives.
P50 - The Bulldozer as a Friend (McDonald’s Memorial)
The case of the McDonald’s in San Ysidro highlights how physical spaces can transform after a tragic event. The company’s response to the community’s call for a memorial park reflects the broader idea that places, while primarily designed for practical use, can also become places of collective healing and reflection. The bulldozer, usually associated with destruction, here becomes a tool of restoration and memory.
Formulation:
Public spaces, particularly those with traumatic histories, can serve dual purposes: functional and memorial.
The decision to preserve or repurpose such spaces is a delicate negotiation between commerce, community, and memory.
P51 - Associational Dissonance
This idea of Associational Dissonance (AD) refers to the emotional or cognitive conflict when two elements that are typically unrelated come into contact. It’s often used in media, art, or advertising to grab attention by creating a surprising or jarring effect. AD makes us think critically about why certain pairings feel odd or uncomfortable, and it’s a powerful tool for provoking thought or dialogue.
Formulation:
AD is not necessarily negative; it can be used strategically to challenge preconceptions or to spark new ideas.
The dissonance can become a conversation starter, making the audience reflect on why the combination is unexpected or strange.
P66 - The Water Tower as an Icon
The Chicago Water Tower is an interesting case of how something ordinary (like a water tower) becomes an icon due to its survival of the Great Chicago Fire. Its symbolic significance is more powerful than its architectural form. This reinforces the idea that the meaning of an icon is often rooted in historical context rather than aesthetic value.
Formulation:
An icon is defined more by its historical and cultural significance than by its appearance or architectural uniqueness.
Survival, whether physical or metaphorical, can lend an object or place significant symbolic weight.
P69 - Context as the Framework for Perception
The comic about the brownstone illustrates how context changes how we view places and decisions. If we take the context of urban prices, social pressures, and personal desires into account, our choices and aesthetic decisions become much more understandable. The built environment and the choices within it are often shaped by forces beyond individual preferences.
Formulation:
Context is everything in urban and architectural decision-making; a building or location cannot be understood outside of its social, economic, and historical circumstances.
Aesthetics and Process Values
P79 - Aesthetic Well-being and Community Pride
This is a critical point about how beauty, though subjective, can have a tangible impact on a community’s sense of pride and social responsibility. There’s a psychological benefit to a visually pleasing city that fosters positive civic identity and well-being.
Formulation:
Aesthetics are not just about visual pleasure but are essential to a community’s sense of stability and identity.
A beautiful cityscape can provide a sense of belonging and motivate civic participation.
P80 - The Limits of Beauty-Based Legal Aesthetics
The concept here is that beauty, being subjective and elusive, cannot be easily codified into clear standards for legal purposes. The legal system, though it can influence how cities and structures look, may struggle to impose rules on something as changeable as beauty.
Formulation:
Legal frameworks around aesthetics will always be in tension with the fluid, subjective nature of beauty.
Creating binding beauty standards is an almost impossible task, as individual preferences and perceptions vary.
P82 - Preservation and Zoning
The intertwining of preservation with zoning regulations presents an interesting dynamic. Zoning laws, which are about controlling land use and development, have become more detailed and refined to protect cultural or architectural heritage. This indicates how legal and aesthetic concerns are increasingly interlinked.
Formulation:
Legal standards for preservation need to be sensitive to the context of the space and its relationship with the surrounding environment.
Zoning laws can act as a way to ensure that the value of cultural and historical spaces is respected and maintained.
P96-97 - First Amendment and Architecture
The tension between artistic freedom (protected by the First Amendment) and architectural regulation is explored here. Should the government be able to regulate the beauty or design of public spaces? This raises significant questions about freedom of expression and the role of law in shaping public spaces.
Formulation:
Architecture is a form of expression, and regulation may be viewed as a form of censorship if it restricts creative freedom.
However, community stability and the collective good can sometimes justify limitations on expression, especially in the context of legal aesthetics.
P109 - Aliens Become Icons
Here, Costonis points out the phenomenon where what was once seen as an outsider or an "alien" in architecture can eventually be accepted as iconic. Over time, tastes change, and architectural styles once rejected can be reinterpreted as significant symbols.
Formulation:
The idea of what constitutes an "icon" is fluid and evolves with time.
Architectural styles often undergo a transformation from being seen as disruptive to being celebrated as emblematic of a particular era.
P110 - Development Restrictions and Community Standards
This example involves a legal framework designed to protect the aesthetic and historical value of a site while allowing for development. It shows the potential for the law to mediate between preservation and modern needs, ensuring that new developments respect the character of the area.
Formulation:
Legal measures, such as preservation laws or development restrictions, can ensure that new developments are compatible with the community’s aesthetic and historical values.
Balancing growth with preservation is a delicate process requiring cooperation between developers, government, and the public.