In chapter four of Poetics of Space Bachelard speaks about the notion of birds and their nests and compares them to us Humans. Men have tools, wisdom, power, and the means but will never be able to build a "nest" in the sophisticated manor that the birds build theirs. I think one of the most interesting parts of this chapter is when he introduces the idea that it takes confidence for the birds to build their nests. This relates back to the idea of the daydream factor and perhaps that one's confidence is elevated in a daydream. The chapter closes in a simple statement: "Mankind's nest, like his world is never finished. And imagination helps us to continue." [p.104]
(literal attempt in the aesthetics of the exterior of a bird's nest for the bejing Olympics)
[photos courtesy of www.gocb.wordpress.com + www.inhabitat.com]
chapter 5 shells
In this chapter about shells Bachelard is making more correlations between creatures and theirs homes. There are many interesting and significant factors dealing with shells and the way they protect, encapsulate, and shelter their host. Shells are so closely connected with the animal that lives within and create a "home" on the road no matter where the little user is traveling too. This is a very comforting thought that hearkens back to Bachelard's warm and fuzzy memories. The shell can also be a symbol for the past in the sense that it is always growing and changing and once the creature has died you can break it open look inside and see how old the shell is and maybe even what it has gone through by "reading" the layers. He brings in the human to this idea of shells by relating the humans soul to being protected by the "shell" of the human body.
[photo courtesy of www.shellhealing.com]
chapter six corners
oh corners! i spent so much of my childhood in one. haha. Most of the chapters Bachelard has wrote thus far bring to mind those warm and fuzzy memories he is always writing and reminding us about. Yet while this one definitely brings to my mind memories of the past, they aren't really delightful. I used to get in trouble alot as a child and would always be sent to"the corner" ( which was located in our vaulted ceiling living room next to the kitchen) for punishment. I would usually pull on the grass like textured wall paper below the chair rail ( which would usually get me into more trouble). Sometimes I would sit...sometimes I would stand... but Id always have my nose in the corner.
In chapter six Bachelard presents corners in a much more positive light then my memory holds. (Not to say I don't like corners. I love nooks and crannies and feel more comfortable in a small enclosed space then wide openness.) Safety, security, and comfort are some of the words he uses to describe these places. To Bachelard Corners can be a cozy spot to cuddle up. He brings up the notion that has long been discussed in the design world of the rectilinear line vs. curvilinear line and the correlation between masculine and feminine.
[photo courtesy of graphics-illustrations.com]
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