4.5 - Collective Memory and The Cretto
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Understanding Collective Memory
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Today we will discuss the concept of collective memory in architecture. How do buildings relate to the memories of communities affected by disasters?
Is collective memory about how places remind us of past events?
Exactly, Student_1! Collective memory involves shared recollections that affect community identity. It's fundamental in post-disaster architecture because the built environment shapes how communities withstand and recover from disasters.
So, it's not just about rebuilding but also preserving memories?
Correct! A good example of this is Alberto Burri's The Cretto, which serves as a memorial for a lost village, maintaining the memory of its past.
How do we ensure these memories are integrated into new designs?
Great question, Student_3! Participatory approaches in community planning can help keep collective memory alive in architectural designs.
To summarize, collective memory in architecture helps us understand how to create spaces that honor past experiences while facilitating recovery and resilience.
Dependency on the Built Environment
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Let's explore our growing dependency on built environments. How has it shifted our vulnerability to disasters?
I think we rely more on our homes and buildings than before?
Exactly, Student_4! In the past, when humans were nomadic, they weren't as vulnerable because they moved frequently. Today, the same dependency can make us more susceptible to natural and man-made disasters.
Are there examples of this vulnerability in action?
Definitely! For instance, in Cappadocia, residents depend on structures within an earthquake-prone area, making their recovery efforts intricate.
So, we need to think about disaster resilience in our designs?
Exactly! Designing for resilience means understanding our dependencies and vulnerabilities.
In summary, our reliance on built environments fundamentally impacts our vulnerability, emphasizing the need for thoughtful architectural designs.
Case Studies: Cappadocia and Gibellina
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Now, let's delve into case studies. What can we learn from the architectural responses in Cappadocia and Gibellina?
Cappadocia is unique with its tufa rock formations, right?
Exactly! And these formations impact dwellings as residents face earthquakes. Their return is motivated by economic factors, showcasing resilience despite risks.
What about Gibellina?
Gibellina experienced a violent earthquake in 1968. The Mayor's vision sought a cultural renaissance, expanding from 5,000 to 50,000 inhabitants, reflecting modern urban planning's scope.
So, the reconstruction wasn’t just about building houses but reshaping community identity?
Very much so! The design of public spaces changed interactions, impacting community bonds.
In conclusion, these case studies illuminate the balance between architectural response and collective memory in disaster recovery.
The Cretto as Art and Memory
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Finally, let’s explore The Cretto by Alberto Burri. How does it express collective memory?
Isn't it a structure made from concrete mounds that represent the old village?
Correct! It memorializes both physical loss and collective memory, transforming disaster into a poignant artistic expression.
Does it serve a function beyond being a memorial?
Yes! It prompts reflections on resilience and community identity through interaction with the site.
What can future architects learn from The Cretto?
Future architects can understand the importance of integrating memories and nuances of community identity into their work.
In summary, The Cretto illustrates the transformation of pain into art, representing a collective memory of resilience.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
Examining post-disaster architectural practices, this section discusses how the built environment affects community vulnerability and resilience. It highlights examples such as Cappadocia and Gibellina, illustrating how collective memory is embedded in reconstruction projects, culminating in Alberto Burri's The Cretto as a memorial.
Detailed
Detailed Summary
Post-Disaster Recovery and Architecture
This section emphasizes the necessity of reconsidering architectural theory related to shelter and the built environment during post-disaster recovery. Architecture must adapt to evolving practices over the short and long term, addressing both immediate and continued vulnerabilities.
Vulnerability and Dependency on Built Environment
The discussion incorporates Paul Oliver’s insights, particularly regarding how our dependency on substantial built environments enhances vulnerability, contrasting this with the nomadic past of humans. The text states that as societies have become more reliant on establishments for their livelihoods and community interaction, their susceptibility to disasters has increased.
Case Studies Highlighting Transformation
- Cappadocia: The section references Cappadocia, a region characterized by unique geological formations of tufa rock, where inhabitants have faced dangers from earthquakes. The balance between tourism and safety highlights the complexities of rebuilding and resilience in disaster-prone areas.
- Gibellina: The earthquake of 1968 devastated Gibellina in Sicily, leading to significant urban reconstruction efforts that transitioned from a population of 5,000 to a planned capacity of 50,000. The local government's push to facilitate cultural renaissance through urban planning led to social interactions shifting due to architectural changes, reflecting on community dynamics.
The Cretto as Collective Memory
The final part emphasizes Alberto Burri’s The Cretto, a monumental work that serves as a documentation of the lost village. Constructed to create a tangible, spatial representation of collective memory, it uses concrete mounds to evoke remembrance of devastation, transforming pain into art.
Audio Book
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Post-Disaster Architecture and Vulnerability
Chapter 1 of 4
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Chapter Content
Post-disaster spatial practice assemblages; there is a strong need that architecture as a theory has to contemplate on the transformation nature of the shelter practices, the built environment especially in the post-disaster recovery because it talks about both as a short term the medium and long term adaptive practices.
Detailed Explanation
In this chunk, the text discusses the importance of architecture in responding to disasters. It notes that architecture must evolve to address how shelters and buildings can be designed or modified following a disaster to meet both immediate and long-term needs. This evolution is crucial because after a disaster, communities often have different requirements for housing and infrastructure that focus on both rebuilding and adapting to future risks.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a town that gets hit by a hurricane. The buildings that are quickly repaired may not withstand future storms unless they are designed to be more resilient. Just like a team training constantly to improve their performance for future games, architecture needs to adapt continuously to better prepare for and respond to disasters.
Cappadocia: Cultural and Geological Context
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Chapter Content
For instance, in Cappadocia an example in the Central Anatolia. Where lot of peasants live and you can see these tufa rock pinnacles which are actually formed from the ancient deposits of the lava dust, and because of the exposure to the air and these soft rock hardens so that the interiors have firm walls.
Detailed Explanation
This chunk describes Cappadocia, a region in Central Anatolia known for its unique tufa rock formations. The text explains that these rocks, formed from ancient lava and weathering, have been carved into dwellings and churches. The mention of these structures emphasizes the relationship between local geology and the ways people have built their homes. It highlights how the natural environment can dictate the design and safety of living spaces in vulnerable regions.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a natural playground where kids use the environment to create forts. In Cappadocia, people have ingeniously used the rocks around them, much like kids using logs or trees, to build homes that blend with the landscape and utilize the materials at hand.
Tourism and Community Resilience
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Chapter Content
Despite of these people given an opportunity to go back and settled somewhere else, they came back and they settled because of various other reasons because tourism is one of the important component, people come so that is where their livelihood is based on.
Detailed Explanation
Here, the focus is on the resilience of communities like those in Cappadocia. Even after disaster threats, residents choose to return to their home areas due to the economic benefits of tourism. This reflects a common theme in disaster recovery where local culture and economy play a pivotal role in where people decide to live, indicating that emotional and economic ties can be just as strong as concerns about safety.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a small town that bounces back to life after a flood because it has a famous festival. The festival brings in tourists and money, helping the community identify their roots and recover financially, reminiscent of how Cappadocia leverages its unique geological features to sustain its economy despite risks.
The Cretto and Collective Memory
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Chapter Content
This is a the previously affected site this is a monument which the Alberto Burri have developed The Cretto in 12 hectares what they did was he made the whole skeleton of the village the settlement as it is and he made as concrete mounds where it talks about a one-meter height. And so that it becomes a memory a collective memory.
Detailed Explanation
The Cretto, designed by Alberto Burri, is a conceptual artwork in the form of a memorial to a town destroyed by a devastating earthquake. By using concrete to represent the ruins, Burri transformed the physical landscape into a lasting memory of the village and its history. This chunk underscores how art can serve to memorialize past traumas and collective experiences, converting places of suffering into spaces for reflection.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a museum that showcases the history of a city that went through a tragic event. Just as exhibits can help people remember and learn from the past, The Cretto uses concrete mounds to invite visitors to reflect on the village that once was, adding layers of meaning and emotional resonance to the space.
Key Concepts
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Collective Memory: The shared recollections of a community that informs perceived identity.
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Post-Disaster Recovery: Processes for restoring and rebuilding communities after events like earthquakes.
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Vulnerability: Risk inherent in reliance on built structures following disasters.
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Architectural Resilience: The capability of designs to absorb and rebound from adverse impacts.
Examples & Applications
The transformation of the village of Gibellina into a cultural hub post-earthquake with efforts to increase community size.
Burri’s development of The Cretto serves as a memorial to the lost village, blending disaster memory with artistic expression.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
When a disaster strikes our home, collective memories must be known; architecture brings us back, keeping our past on track!
Stories
Imagine a village that lost everything, but through their memories, they built a monument. This monument didn't just protect their past; it became a new part of their identity.
Memory Tools
RAP: Remembering Architecture and People - a way to remember the importance of combining community identities with architecture.
Acronyms
R.E.C. - Resilience, Engagement, Community - key components for rebuilding after disasters.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Collective Memory
Shared recollections of a community that shape its identity and responses to past events.
- PostDisaster Recovery
The processes and strategies employed to restore and rebuild communities following a disaster.
- Vulnerability
The susceptibility of a community to harm due to dependence on built environments.
- Architectural Resilience
The ability of buildings and designs to withstand and recover from disasters.
Reference links
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