ARCH 1701 Blog 1
Inspired by Andy Goldsworthy ( and or discussion in class) document and investigate through text and image this idea of energy, flow and transformation through the city...
As referenced by Andy Goldsworthy in the film, rivers are full of energy. They embody the concept of the flow of nature. The concept that energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be transferred from one form to another. Through his artwork, Goldsworthy seeks out what lies underneath the surface, also known as "the wolliness of the sheep."
In this blog we shall combine the indepth idea of "what lies beneath the surface" and the importance of rivers and the energy they hold in the development of our society. This occurs in vast amounts of rivers around the world, but for our own reference, we shall use the Mississippi River and our own Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The Mississippi River, and the area around was once a barren and desolate area long ago. Over time though, indians and then colonists chose to settle in the area we now know as Minneapolis and St. Paul due to the energy the Mississippi River provided including: transportation, trade, energy and a source of fresh water. This very simple body of flowing water, transformed a once barren land into urbanized industrial center in which now over 2.82 million people live and thrive. A land that once was solely occupied by deer, bear and other wildlife, is now a central hub for business, trade and commerce. A diverse city full of schools, restaurants, and nightlife attractions. Full of flour mills, steel plants, hospitals and sanitation sites. A city so diverse and complex that one could spend their whole life investigating and experiencing the city and still not know all that Minneapolis and St. Paul have to offer.
That simple flow of energy through the Mississippi River has been channeled into the everyday life of our now very busy and very intricate society. Something as simple an naturally beautiful as the river, has created something so wonderful and complex as the city we all live and thrive in and it all started with a swift current.