Unemployed Astronauts

When we make various gesticulations towards each other, we more often than not get a response from the attended recipient, rooted in the emotional response invoked by the lonely middle-finger, or friendly wave. They might even wave back at you, with their middle finger or open hand, dependent on your gesticulation. Mass and form of human material moves us; dependent on our varying cultural background we find certain proportions in a human face beautiful, we react on facial expressions dependent on the combination of activated muscles and tall guys are more likely to be successful in a job-interview. I reckon the vast majority of people would agree on this.

If we look at mass and form in dead material – such as bricks and mortar – we similarly react emotionally dependent on shape, and cultural connotations bound in that specific shape. When we enter a church – mosque, synagogue, temple, whatever rocks your boat – chances are even an atheist will notice a certain energy bound in the structure of that space. It doesn’t even have to be as monumental as places of prayer, smaller does it as well – just think of your home, a classroom or a nightclub. We have expectations of certain behavioral patterns for places with a certain positional correlation between the bricks and mortar it consists of. Some infuse a feeling for safety, others are places of authority. Undoubtedly some of the effect is caused by the cultural values we give certain spaces, a courtroom for example is a place of authority. But I am convinced that the mere form of the space has an effect on the functions and values we expect of it as well, and that our behavior varies dependent here on. As an example, imagine a courtroom in an old nightclub. Or to spice things up – a nightclub in an old courtroom. Sounds like a party I’d attend. I’d try to avoid the courtroom though, even one situated in an old nightclub. I’d think most people would agree this far.

Now, why is it that people seem to think that it’s any different for things smaller still – such as a well shaped wineglass or a neatly designed lamp. Of the people I’ve met in my relatively short life-span, the vast majority seem painfully uninterested in good design. When people are aware of the effects public spaces in varying shape possess, why do they care so little about what ought to be the most important space for them – the temple of tranquility and peace they call their home, and the objects and artifacts they surround themselves with in it. Beautiful, intelligent design conjures thoughts of equal measure – in my opinion it’s worth the money.