Art as a Way of Life: Rebuilding the Third Ward of Houston, Texas

Beginning as early as 1960, housing segregation devastates Houston’s Third Ward. While the primarily African-American community was once successful due to income diversity and a growing culture of art and music, it eventually becomes a “pocket of poverty” characterized by poor educational opportunities. In an effort to reverse the communities decline, Project Row Houses (PRH) organizes in an effort to create educational opportunities through art.[1] However, a second organization forms when gentrification subjects the Ward’s northern regions to higher-income housing developments that tear down its single-family bungalows.[2]

In response to the housing crisis, the artist Rick Lowe collaborates with other artists, professionals (architects, planners, and contractors), and PRH in order to develop the Row House Community Development Corporation (RHCDC) in 2003.[3] Focusing on 35 blocks laid out in a grid (of which half belong to civic institutions),[4] Lowe creates a plan for redevelopment that differs from other urban projects in that he holistically views the project and its transformative impact on people’s lives as a work of art. According to Lowe, “‘the program encourages…a state of mind, a way of thinking about how to live, which you could call the work of art.’”[5]

With a multi-faceted approach to art and the revitalization process, RHCDC provides opportunities for people within and outside the community to rebuild and restore the Third Ward. Initially, the program begins by historically renovating 22 shotgun houses, which becomes rental units for low-income families and free temporary housing for the artists’ residency program and the young mothers’ residency program. The first encourages both local and international artists to creatively transform the community by living in the Third Ward for one week or up to five months. By 2006, 150 artists actively participate through efforts that include creating exhibitions or teaching art to children. The latter program enables single mothers to have a year of housing, child care linked to art education, emotional support, and access to educational workshops. Of the more than forty graduates (by 2006), Assata Richards recalls the impact of the art-based housing program, which “‘becomes a place of transformation. That’s what art does. It transforms you’”[6]

In addition to renovated units (which will eventually total 38), another opportunity enables architecture students from Rice University to partake in the development of four two-story low-income rental duplexes that each house two families (completed in 2004). Since then, eight more rental duplexes are being built adjacent to the original ones via communal green spaces. In both instances, the design process views architecture as a cultural symbol of the community’s past and present. Thus, the duplexes resemble the shot-gun houses originally created by freed slaves living in this district following the civil war. While affordable housing remains an integral part of the program’s mission, a broader effort to preserve the neighborhood’s culture and history seeks the parallel support of local organizations, such as hospitals, schools, and churches.[7]

Posted by Linnea Cook

[1] www.rowhousecdc.org
[2] "Row Houses CDC," Project Row Houses, 2005, Row Houses CDC/Project Row Houses, 30 Oct. 2008
.
[3] Michael Kimmelman, "In Houston, Art is Where the Home is," New York Times 24 Dec. 2006. LexisNexis, New School, 30 Oct.
2008.
[4] www.rowhousecdc.org
[5] Michael Kimmelman, “In Houston, Art is Where the Home is.”
[6] Ibid.
[7] www.rowhousecdc.org

Managua, Nicaragua

People often travel to find or for opportunity, for their life and themselves. Some people travel to other countries for a goal they want to achieve and to fulfill their dreams. Managua is a capital city of Nicaragua, and I chose Managua as a destination for opportunity because although it's a city some people still live in or go through poverty.

There was an article on Managua, Nicaragua where this one couple went to Managua to work as a physician with the knowledge they got as a physician from where they used to live. They didn't really like where and how they lived and liked to experience new things.They enjoy living their and think the people their are nice. It's like them living in their dream with also helping the others, the new people. Like the couples, designers can travel to Managua to use design as opportunity for themselves and the people who live their. Managua is not a modernized city, like New York city. Therefore I thought that Managua, as a destination, a designer can go for opportunity, and also to find opportuniy for those people who live their in poverty, perhaps the whole city.

Women's Centre, Rufisque, Senegal

This is one of my all time favorite projects and falls directly in the reason we should design for opportunity; you never know what is going to happen. The Women's Center in Rufisque, Senegal started off as a senior design project from students in the Architecture program at Helsinki University of Technology in 1996. By the end of 2001 their project was brought to life. In Senegal there is a strong emphasis on the gathering of knowledge and opportunity among groups of women. They teach and gather here to create a feeling of community were other wise these groups would be broken up and unable to gather as one. This act of gathering is becoming more and more important as the fishing industry in Rufisque is drying up and and men are left with out acceptable work. The sharing of knowledge's among women allows them to attain skills to support themselves and their families. The building was designed around traditional techniques (both Finnish and Senegalese) and holds an extremely strong bond to local and recycled materials. An Example of this is in the glass bottles that are set into the concrete wall to allow natural light in and keep the heat out while at the same time being very esthetically pleasing. Today the space is extremely popular and has been put to great use thanks to the forward thinking students that saw an opportunity and designed for it.

http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/2053

http:seanbryen.com/archnotebook/senegal-womens-centre.php

marriage tour

“More and more South Korean men are finding wives outside of South Korea, where a surplus of bachelors, a lack of marriageable Korean partners and the rising social status of women have combined to shrink the domestic market for the marriage-minded male. Bachelors in China, India and other Asian nations, where the traditional preference for sons has created a disproportionate number of men now fighting over a smaller pool of women, are facing the same problem. . . .

Now, that industry is seizing on an increasingly globalized marriage market and sending comparatively affluent Korean bachelors searching for brides in the poorer corners of China and Southeast and Central Asia. The marriage tours are fueling an explosive growth in marriages to foreigners in South Korea, a country whose ethnic homogeneity lies at the core of its self-identity. In 2005, marriages to foreigners accounted for 14 percent of all marriages in South Korea, up from 4 percent in 2000. . . .”

(International Herald Tribune, Published: February 21, 2007)
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/02/21/news/brides.php


In Vietnam, an increasing number of young women are marrying foreigners through marriage brokers. Last year, more than 10,000 Vietnamese women married men from South Korea alone. For now, Vietnam remains a popular source of brides, second only to China. More South Korean men have been using marriage brokers to find wives in Vietnam- they travel to Vietnam to pick out their wife, marry and honeymoon there, then return with their new wife to Korea. Some say that the business demeans and takes advantage of poor women but brokers say they are merely matching the needs of Korean men and foreign women seeking better lives.

Arctic Circle

Through history, the idea of intervening with nature to alter the earth’s climate isn’t brand new. From as early as 1836, scientists have proposed numerous ideas in doing so. There have been concepts to enhance precipitation by lighting enormous fires towards the sky that was believed to capture and store carbon dioxide, benefiting climate change. Another proposal suggested the set up of huge mirrors in space to reflect and block out sunlight from the earth in attempts to lower temperatures. Blasting skyrockets with sulfur into the stratosphere was also a plan to create a protective and cooling blanket-like form for the earth. The most recent project focuses on the capture and storage of carbon by suffusing large parts of the ocean with iron ore. This is assumed to increase the levels of plankton that capture carbon dioxide and takes this element into the depths of the ocean with their deaths. Other methods of capturing carbon dioxide are through power stations, gas flues, and synthetic trees.

It’s not a surprise hearing about how screwed we are when it comes to our environment. So many groups and organizations are trying hard to instill in our young minds that there’s something we can do to make a difference. Although the number of listed ideas is derived from brilliant engineers and scientists, my simple mind wants a simple task to handle in helping our environment.

A while ago, I discovered a music video filmed two hundred miles north of the Arctic Circle by a town, Illulisat, known for its icebergs. There were no green screens used and footage was 100% actual in the project. The beautiful video captured the exotic yet endangered wilderness that’s quickly vanishing because of our abuse of the planet. The project educated and reached out to viewers that it’s not our right to try to do what we can to help our earth but our responsibility to do so. Change is better late than never. In addition, viewers are informed that, “emissions from the energy consumed in connection with producing video were offset using Solar Energy Certificates purchased from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. The certificates support enough solar energy to offset approximately 250,000 Kilowatt-hours, or 350,000 pounds of CO2 emissions – the approximate emissions reduction equivalent of planting 46 acres of trees or not driving 36 cars for one year.”

The band of the music video worked not only as musicians, but also as designers. The idea to film in an area where the melting of icebergs could be clearly heard underneath your feet was viewed ridiculous. Times over and over again, the members were told to trash the idea and use green screens to depict the same images. After much thought, the band ultimately decided that doing something was better than doing nothing and complaining about it. Hearing the facts was different from experiencing them. Through twists and turns, the band finally visited one of the many endangered parts of our world affected by global warming to go forth with their ‘impossible’ project. They concluded to producing an amazing art piece that proved no opportunity unachievable, while addressing a key issue that successfully reached the youth.

The video was inspiring, in that, the unfortunate truths about our present and future can be handled in ways other than slamming threatening facts in our faces. Much of what we usually hear is, “if you continue to do this, this will happen. Ugliness.” The video, on the other hand, shows the beautiful reality that we will forever lose if we don’t act differently soon. Design can push further than graphs and slideshows of poorly taken images to get the message across. Instead of blunt statistics, the video was designed to share our bare, future losses. It eliminated the bonus features and reported the simple truth.

Catherine

Mecca, Saudi Arabia

When we think of traveling for necessity we can usually assume that this is not travel for pleasure.  Necessary travel could occur for medical reasons or to escape war or poverty.  I would like to discuss travel that is necessary for religion.  To the best of my understanding a basis of Islam is the Five Pillars of Islam.  The five pillars are (1) the faith or belief in the oneness of God and the finality of the prophethood of Muhammad, (2) establishment of the daily prayers, (3) concern for and almsgiving to the needy, (4) self-purification through fasting, and (5) the pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) for those who are able[1].  As part of their religion, Muslims take a necessary pilgrimage or hajj to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.  In 1999, approximately two million Muslims made pilgrimage to Mecca with about one million coming from Saudi Arabia and approximately 6,000 coming from the United States[2].  This trip is not for fun or sightseeing, but is a necessary part of being a Muslim.  Before, during, and after the pilgrimage there are necessary rights that are performed to complete the experience.  Before the pilgrimage Muslims enter a state of spiritual purity called ihram.  Once they reach Mecca the pilgrims enter the mosque and after that they perform prayers while circling the ka'aba (the cube-shaped stone building)[3].  The pilgrimage itself begins on the eighth day of the twelfth month of the Muslim lunar calendar[4].

[1] http://www.islam101.com/dawah/pillars.html

[2] http://www.religioustolerance.org/isla1.htm

[3] http://www.religioustolerance.org/isla1.htm

[4] http://www.religioustolerance.org/isla1.htm

Mogadishu, Somalia

In northern Africa, the country of Somalia is torn with war and in the hands of an extremely unstable government. This has created huge amount of people being displaced and having to move to over locations every day. They are a country whose hopes for peace are often raised and then crush time and time again. The people of Somalia are taking the main impact of war and with in its refugee camps a new type/quality of "life" is emerging. In Mogadishu, Somalia for example old abandoned war ravaged buildings are now no longer stand vacant, but are houses for many displaced/homeless people. While at the same time the camps are full of people trying to create homes. The living structures that these people have created to act as a shelter show greatly of design with necessity and what is truly needed. They use what ever they can find and often times does not hold up to the elements or to time. As designers we should look to what they have created and how they are living so that we can design to aid people in this type of situation. The situation in Mogadishu is not unlike what is happening all over the world is war torn and poverty stricken areas. The need for shelter is a basic human need, unfortunately for the people being displaced because of war thy have no choice but to move and start over with what ever they can to created a new life for right now and for the future.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/29/world/africa/29somalia.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

To Flee Communism and Starvation

In 1990s 3,000,000 North Koreans are reported dead from starvation. People from North Korea escape their communist country to seek for better life. Although geographically South Korea is the closest country, for the separation of one country to two there is a very strict military-only area which makes it almost impossible to cross. Therefore the escapees often go to China. The Chinese government failed in counting the exact numbers of the escapees from North Korea, but it has been reported to be about 100,000-200,000 according to UN.


The escapees from North Korea who enter the Chinese land become illegal residents. The Chinese government has made secret agreement with the North Korean government, first in 1960s, then made it official in 1986, on forcefully repatriating North Korean escapees. Even the ones who manage to avoid the eye of the government either work under cruel conditions with no pay. In case of women escapees, most often they get married with a Chinese man or are sold for prostitution.

It is understandable that both Chinese and South Korean government cannot be ‘pro-escapees’ for political burdens and issues -situation in overwhelming number of escapees or aggravation of relationship between two countries. However, South Korea has been more ‘sympathetic’ towards the escapees since they are dreaming of the reunification of North and South. Those few who make to South Korea either from China or from North Korea do qualify for special protection under the South Korean government. The escapees who enter the South Korean land go through series of investigation by the National Intelligence Service, then are educated for three months at Hanawon, the education facility for domiciliation. When they graduate, the escapees can start a ‘normal’ life as they are offered a leased housing in the area they choose. They are also given about government aids of about $30,000 per person for housing and domiciliation, and are guaranteed identity protection for 6 months.

This issue might seem like a political, social and economical one, but what can a designer contribute to make the situation better? First step was made in late 2004, five years since it opened; barbed wire entanglements which were surrounding Hanawon, the facility for domiciliation were removed and replaced with securities cameras. Although the barbed wires were for the protection for the escapees, the image depicted was an asylum. The result was praised Hanawon felt more welcoming for escapees and it would help them to feel more comfortable for their new domiciliation.

But what more can be done?

Image 1: Escapees held in China

Image 2: Hanawon

Climate Change Produces Environmental Refugees: Shishmaref, Alaska

Throughout history, social injustice and political unrest necessitates migratory movement as social communities relocate within their own country or flee to neighboring countries in search of safety. For those persons “forced to leave their country because of persecution or armed conflict,” the Office of UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) grants them refugee status to secure their safe entry onto foreign soil.[1] While the UNHCR traditionally deals with such refugee cases, the past few decades present the UNHCR with a different type of refugee—an “environmental refugee.”

E. El Hinnawi initially coins the term “environmental refugee” in the 1970’s to describe “ ‘people who have been forced to leave their traditional habitat, temporarily or permanently, because of marked environmental disruption…that has jeopardized their existence and/or seriously compromised the quality of their life.’” By deeming such people as “refugees,” political debates challenge the term’s meaning because it implies the need for states to provide asylum for those given “refugee” status. While environmental catastrophes often displace communities both temporarily and permanently, the effects of global climate change arguably draw a clear distinction between environmental “migrants” and “refugees.”[2]

For the 570 Inupiaq people living on the Alaskan island, Shishmaref (located in the Chukchi Sea five miles from the Seward Peninsula coast and twenty miles from the Arctic Circle), rising sea levels and warmer temperatures[3] incite migratory displacement as the inevitable solution.[4] With ice forming over the sea later in the fall and dissipating earlier in the spring, the small island (only a quarter of a mile wide and three miles long) loses its only means of protection from violent storm surges, which destroyed 20 feet of the island’s northern edge in 2007 and produced twelve-foot waves in 2001. While compromising the narrow landmass only 22 feet above sea level, temperature increases also place their indigenous hunting industries at stake because animals are migrating northward in search of colder climates.”[5]

In addition to threatening their native cultural heritage that dates back four thousands years, the prospect of relocating the entire village to the mainland comes with a formidable price tag of an estimated 200 million dollars or 330,000 dollars per person. This number also applies to close to two hundred Arctic villages similar to Shishmaref. While the issue receives attention from federal to local levels of government, funding cannot accommodate the costly needs driven by landmass erosion. For the former nomadic natives, the issue of relocation would not pose significant challenges, but the island’s “school buildings, airstrips, roads, and washeterias keep once-nomadic people anchored in place.”[6] Due to the global scope of climate change, people across the world become “environmental refugees.” Failure to adequately address the problem could force a predicted 150 million people (by 2050) to leave their homes and traditions in search of safety and resources. Thus it becomes increasingly critical to address the chain reaction of “environmental scarcity [which] causes large population movements, which in turn causes group identity conflict [and] economic deprivation, and disrupts social institution, leading to ‘deprivation’ conflicts.”[7]

Posted by: Linnea Cook

[1] Antonio Guterres, "Millions Uprooted Saving Refugees and the Displaced," Foreign Affairs 87 (2008), Wilson Web,
Libproxy, New School. 24 Oct. 2008.
[2] "Environmental Refugees," In Immigration and Asylum from 1900 to Present, Ed. Mathew J. Gibney and Randall
Hansen, Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2005, Credo Reference, Libproxy, New School, 25 Oct. 2008.
[3] According to Alaska Climate Research Center temperatures have increased over the past 50 years by 3.5°F and
6.3°F in winter
[4] Lempinen, Edward W., ed, "In Arctic Alaska, Climate Warming Threatens a Village and Its Culture" Science 27 Oct.
2006, AAAS News and Notes, AAAS. 24 Oct. 2008 .
[5] Kolbert, Elizabeth, "The Climate of Man-I" New Yorker 81 (2005): 56-71, 4 Nov. 2005, Academic Search Premier,
New School, 6 Dec. 2007.
[6] Beth Bragg, "Villages Endangered by Global Warming," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 4 Nov. 2007: A-2.
[7] “Environmental Refugees.”

“What Happens Here Stays Here”: Destination Las Vegas

How does a place become a destination “that everyone is talking about”? What types of people does that place attract and why do they talk about it more than another place? For Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) avidly works in conjunction with the state of Nevada to fund marketing and construction projects that will maintain the city’s backbone—tourism.[1] Considering that 39.2 million tourists create an “economic impact” of 41.6 billion dollars last year, the city’s success depends on design (graphic, architectural, interior, product…) to shape it into a “destination” both physically (as a plastic, florescent, and artificial “adult playgroup”[2]) and psychologically in the minds of target consumers.
Initially, LVCVA’s ad agency, R&R Partners, uses travel agencies across the US to promote Las Vegas as a vacation and conference destination. In doing so, they offer travel packages and recommendations for the city’s luxurious hotels, casinos, restaurants, outdoor strip malls, and impressive live performances. While this strategy sells Las Vegas to vacationers, gamers, and businessmen alike, it fails to successfully brand Las Vegas.[3]
Continuing to advertise within the US, R&R releases the well-know ad campaign slogan in 2003, “What happens here stays here.” While domestic efforts to endorse Vegas sustain travel interests, the current economic crisis across the US negatively impacts tourist frequency and stunts the city’s expansion construction projects.[4] As a result, a new branding strategy targets travelers internationally. Beginning with Canada, R&R collaborates with Toronto’s Aerial Communications Group to generate interest among Canadians. In order to give Vegas an international face-lift, the ad campaign aims to evoke in consumers an emotional response that assimilates the rich sensory experience of Las Vegas. In addition to the slogan “Your Vegas is Showing,” television ads, and promotional events in Canada, a website offers information about the city’s attractions, events, and travel accommodations, which has the potential to reach a much broader global travel community.[5]

Posted by Linnea Cook

[1] “Tourism Key to Las Vegas’ Success (Special Report: Destination Marketing Organization),” Nation’s Cities Weekly
31.19 (May 12, 2008): 7(1), General OneFile, Gale, The New School, 17 Oct. 2008 .
[2] Jeromy Lloyd, “Tales of Two Cities,” Marketing Magazine 113.10 (Jan 16, 2008): 19, General OneFile, The New
School, 17 Oct. 2008 .
[3] Ibid.
[4] Lisa Jennings, “Hard Luck Befalls Las Vegas Following U.S. Housing Bust: Restaurateurs in Sin City Bet on
Continued Building as a Way to Keep Tourists, Convention Visitors Coming (Hard-Hit Markets: Part 5 in a Series),” Nation’s Restaurant News, 42.37 (Sep 22, 2008): 1(2), General OneFile, Gale, The New School, 17 Oct. 2008 .
[5] Jeromy Lloyd, “Tales of Two Cities,” 19.

South Korea

There are many victims in countries who goes through human trafficking and suffer. South Korea is one of the countries. South Korean women and girls get trafficked for comercial sexual exploitation in the U.S and other countries. On the other side, women who gets trafficked from Russia, Ubekistan, Kaakhstan, P.R.C, Philippines, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian countries gets sent to South Korea for sexual and labor exploitation. Most of the victims come from people who looks for job opportunities in other countries.

In South Korea, some women were trafficked to become brides of the men in South Korea, and girls were trafficked for child sex tourism. Some victims become prostitutes and it's the same for children. Being trafficked for marriage seems to be intriguing to me than women trafficked for sexual and labor exploitation, since the women don't really get a choice to whom they get married to. South Korea is now trying to help those who gets trafficked, especially victims from other countries. South Korea is one of the countries where a lot of travelers go to, for tourism, and I think that a traveler or a designer should know about it or visit to see if any kind of design or anything can help the victims.

Buzz

When the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao opened in 1997, newspapers, television and architecture journals produced the images and opinions that made so many people—architects and not—feel that they HAD to see it. Nowadays, often the first stop for the latest irresistible objects is a blog like Dezeen or Design Observer. On a more institutional level are the many yearly fairs of art, design, and architecture—in Miami, Milan, Stockholm, Tokyo, Venice, New York (see Open House New York), and many other cities. Needless to say, designers and architects tend to go—if they can.

What does it feel like to "have to see" something? What things or places give you that feeling, or seem to you to have become points of reference—a place everyone wants to have been?

Necessity

Up to this point we have considered reasons to travel that could be called "motives of the traveling designer." This week, we contemplate the world in which the designer works and travels. The voluntary trip—to say nothing of the dream or luxury voyage—is just one kind of travel. Some people travel because they have to, to find work or freedom or to escape oppression. Some are forced into travel, or invited to travel and then held against their will.

Concluding a good trip, it is common to feel for a while as though the world has changed. Yet one could argue that far from being an exceptional experience, travel defines the world we live in. A study of the Grand Tour might examine its relationship to the slave trade between Europe, North America and Africa—and countless other paths or "flows" of people moving in, through, across, cultures in past times. If the freedom of a designer "on tour" contrasts with the necessities that govern many kinds of travel, to plan a trip is to approach a complex human landscape. What if we contemplate the various kinds of necessities that govern the flows of people that make up a culture—in contrast to the static entity a culture may be thought to be?

In the article we have as a resource this week, Arjun Appadurai aptly describes the world in terms of flows (i.e. the "ethnoscapes"). More important, he asserts that imagination—by filmmakers, writers, and other artists—plays a crucial role in defining the terms that draw people from one place to another, the way they see one place or another. And what about designers? A designer imagines. To think of the world as flows of people driven by imaginary images and mythical objects may be a good first step in overcoming the apparent helplessness of design in the face of inequality, suffering, poor distribution of resources, and other issues seemingly determined by social and political realities.

What can a designer contribute to a situation in which the movements of people are bound by necessities? Might there be specific places, like Lampedusa or Guantanamo Bay—or Dubai, or New York—in which design is entangled with politics and geography in a way that exposes the potential—or limits—of design? Where else would you go to explore these issues?

And in such a place, in what objects would you examine the designer's input: tents, shelters, boats, billboards, maps, bags, brochures ... ?

Senegal, Africa

Senegal is a small country in western Africa. Here, child trafficking is found at situations based upon tradition and greed. The day nine-year old boy, Coli, planned to run away was the day he woke up curled up on a dirty mat in the cold. He was pressed between tens of other sleeping children just like him, all lying next to one another on a concrete floor. It was still dark out when he and the other boys, a group of seven to nine-year olds, were directed to beg for money in between stopped cars on a freeway. They were all given empty tomato paste cans as begging bowls. Like these group of young boys, another 1.2 million children are involved in human trafficking for the benefit of those who make $15 billion annually for such services [according to the International Labor Organization]. It’s a popular business in Senegal. In the capital of Dakar, about 7,600 child beggars are ordered to work on the streets [according to a study by the ILO, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the World Bank]. These children collect an average of only 72 cents a day, where their keepers take in $2 million a year.

Under the cover of Islam, ninety percent of these boys are brought to beg with reasons including tradition and greed. Coli’s cover to be taken and work in Dakar was his family’s blessing to learn the holy book of Islam. With this, Coli’s days were spent with two hours of the day memorizing Quran verses and over nine hours begging to earn money for the one he called his teacher. Quranic boarding schools were once praised for their education purposes but most are growing into a business of child trafficking. More and more Quranic teachers are taking in as many students as possible to increase their daily flow of money. An Islamic scholar of Columbia University concludes, “If you do the math, you'll find that these people are earning more than a government functionary. It's why the phenomenon is so hard to eradicate."

It’s necessary for designers to learn of such problems existing within the underground realms of countries. Situations grow deeper and deeper into the depths of dirt when nothing is done in attempts to stop any of it. Design may not solve the problem completely, but it’s important to think of ways that can certainly help.

Catherine

china

China is start line of ancient civilization and largest country in East Asia. Probably China has longest history of culture, language system, and major inventions. The compass, gunpowder, paper and printing are called four great inventions of ancient China. However, Shenyang is the capital city of the Liaoning, a province in Northeastern China. Shenyangs rich landscape along with a lot of historic places and numerous festivals contributed to why Shenyang continuously draws many tourists from all over the globe. Many popular industrial companies particularly those involve in heavy equipments, aerospace, machine tools and lately software and electronics conduct their key operations in Shenyang, this fact contributed to how Shenyang came to be one of the most important industrial and commercial centers in China. Shenyang is also considered as a historical center of Northeastern China with its interesting history and a rich culture. Many interesting places in Shenyang that draws tourists are products of the city’s extensive and fascinating historical past. Shenyang’s rich culture and tradition gave birth to a lot of festivals that are celebrated the unique Shenyang way. Shenyang Ice and Snow Festival considered as the third largest winter festival in Northeast China, this festival is held every December through February. Fascinating ice and snow sculptures along with some ice and snow entertainment are featured in the celebration. The third largest country in the world China is one of the important places in Asia, with great ethnic as well as cultural diversities. China has been ranked fourth among the world’s most popular tourist destinations, after France, Spain, and the United States. According to the World Tourism Organization, China attracts more than 46 million international tourists per year.

YeJi Choi

Pamukkale, Turkey

Curious to visit a "Cotton Castle" located amdist cascading mountains and lush greenery? This fantastical sounding place really does exist. Pamukkale, a site of natural wonders is located in the south-western part of Turkey, near the Denizli province. For as long as I can remember, the description of this cotton castle with its naturally formed hot springs and white terraces has peaked my curiosity.

In Turkish, the name Pamukkale means "cotton castle" and this site is justly named so because of the uniquely white geological formations that occur on this plateau. Situated in the valley of the Menderes River, the tectonic movements that took place in the basin resulted in frequent earthquakes which caused the emergence of a number of hot springs in the area. Apparently,one of these hot springs, with its large mineral content (chalk in particular) gave rise to Pamukkale. The calcium-oxide rich waters flowing down the slopes of the surrounding mountains collects on this plateau and over the millennia, have built up deposits of white travertine and limestone -- thus giving the site a pristine, white, cloud-like appearance.


It is said that every second, 250 liters of hot water arises from this spring, precipitating 2.20 grams of chalk per liter of water or 0.55 kilograms of chalk every second. In the course of time some sources dried up because of earthquakes, while new ones arose in the neighborhood. The thick layers of limestone cascading down the mountain slopes is said to make it look like a frozen waterfall.


One type of these formations consists of crescent-shaped travertine terraces with a shallow layer of water, lying in a step-like arrangement down the upper one-third of the slope, with the steps ranging from 1m to 6 meters in height and another form consists of stalactites propping up and connecting these terraces.The water comes from the hot springs and spills over into the marvelous white terraces to form shallow pools and tourists used to be allowed to bathe in this water. According to ancient Roman and Greek mythology, the water from the springs in this area had medicinal qualities (the ancient city of Hierapolis, meaning Holy City, was built on this site).

Curiosity will get the better of me some day and send me to Pamukkale, Turkey to not only enjoy this natural phenomenon, but also learn about its rich history.

--Preethi Chethan

Rohsska Museum of Design and Decorative Art

When it comes to the list of places that as designers we should go to complete ones education the list seems never ending. For me, one of those places is the Rohsska Museum of Design and Decorative Arts in Gothenburg (Goteborg), Sweden. The museum first became open to the public in 1916 show casing early Swedish and European handicraft as well as some Chinese and Japanese art. Through out the years the collection has grown to hold some 50,000 objects and an extensive library. But it is what the museum has decided to specialize in today is what brings it to the top of my must see list. Today the museum collect mainly Swedish handicraft, commercial goods/crafts, and industrial design. As with all collections there are exceptions and they have made the exceptions to allow impeccably designed pieces from around the world. Not only does the museum have an incredibly curated collection but also has some of the most interesting exhibits of any museum I have ever seen. The design of the building and spaces are equally as interesting are create a great backdrop for the collection and shows. The exhibits are well planed, up to date, and take a fresh look at the world of art and design today. As designers we can learn so much from each other and from our past. Having a place that helps to spur on those ideas and foster that creative process is extremely important and you will find that here at the Rohsska Museum.

http://www.designmuseum.se/

Las Vegas, NV

So Las Vegas is one of those places that everybody knows about even if they have never been there. I am definitely included in this 'everybody' because what I know about Vegas is what I have heard from my parents, my cousins, and the media. I haven't actually had any interest to go until now partly because of design (the entire experience is designed) and mainly I can now go there and party and gamble with my cousins. To get more information I went on the official Las Vegas website and found out that on the Strip alone there are 43 hotels/casinos and 22 wedding chapels. I also found out that in 1855, Mormons arrived in Las Vegas and established a fort and that the abandoned the fort in 1857. Who would have thought that Mormons once lived in Sin City? The best thing I found on the official website was a link entitled Be Anybody. When you click on this link you are on a site that allows you to create a new identity including name, residence, and personality. This site will also give you a brief history, business card, website, and a 1-800 number to help you back up your story. This exemplifies what I love most about Las Vegas. It is a place for fantasy and bad behavior and it doesn't try to make people believe otherwise. It celebrates it's tawdriness and encourages people to do the same.

All pictures and facts from: http://www.visitlasvegas.com/vegas/index.jsp

The Bolgen Housing Development

I wasn't sure, so I chose a place/destination of what I thought people would be talking about. This is an image of the Bolgen houseing development in Denmark. It's interesting how the building is shaped like the wave and that it is by the river.This building shows modern architecture in the shape of the building and their use of materials and colors. A normal place to live for people would have not looked like this in the past, and that is what's interesting.

The design of the building shows how the technology is getting better these days. It is nice how the design of this architecture is simple and clean, especially because it's a place to live. It also has all the functions necessary for the people who will be living there. I chose this place as my destination because it shows how technology and everything is getting simpler and better. I think that a designer should go there to see how technology can also affect design and architecture, in a good way.

Taipei 101

Taipei 101 is the world’s tallest completed skyscraper in Taiwan. It received the Emporis Skyscraper Award in 2004, and has been hailed as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World and Seven Wonders of Engineering. Its postmodern style combines both Asian and international modern and traditional elements. Designed to withstand the typhoon winds and earthquake, the design achieves both strength and flexibility for the tower through the use of high-performance steel construction. The tower features a series of 8 segments of 8 floors each. In Chinese culture, the number 8 is associated with prosperity and good fortune. The repeated segments recall the rhythms of an Asian pagoda, a stalk of bamboo (icon of learning and growth) and stack of ancient Chinese ingots or money boxes (a symbol of abundance), which means blooming or success, is represented by the 8 delineated exterior sections of the tower. Observation deck is located on 89th and 91st floor and can be reached by the fastest elevator in the world – it takes only 37 seconds to arrive at the 89th floor. The indoor Observatory offers visitors special exhibitions such as sculpture/ painting/ photography exhibitions. I recently visited Taiwan and thought Taipei101 is most original and quite an amazing building. At night, the view was magnificent. The mall next to the building had some nice things to offer for tourists that you could spend the entire day there.