Landscapes, as we have seen in the previous post, can be deceptive but fascinating. And which is the best perspective to admire them from? Obviously, the aerial view.
The bird's eye view has fascinated many creative minds, from interior to fashion designers.
As seen in previous posts, at times it inspired three-dimentional textures and surface elaborations, graphic effects, conceptual prints or motifs borrowed from satellite images like the ones on Google Earth and even a Haute Couture Skydiver gown (and don't forget Le Corbusier's 1935 book Aircraft - Download LeCorbusier_AIRCRAFT - in which he stated how grateful he was for the architectural lesson the aerial view gave him).
I'm partial to the aerial view, but that's not because I feel superior and I like to see things (and people) from above. Quite the opposite.
I find this view fascinating because, from this perspective, everyday problems and pressures seem infinitely small.
They become indeed as tiny as ants, while you get a wider perspective on things and you realise you're just one human being among millions on this immense planet (so there's simply no point in feeling superior!).
Depending from where you are you may obtain an intriguing aerial perspective in different ways, including climbing up a mountain or a hill, for example.
In Taipei you can get amazing views of the city from Taipei 101, the tallest building in Taiwan.
A lift to the 89th floor will take you straight to the indoor observation deck that offers 360° views over the city (or, if you feel braver and it's not too cloudy or windy, you may opt to reach the outdoor observation deck on the 91st floor).
As you may guess, the landscape is truly amazing and you can admire from there the densely populated capital, and try to spot landmarks - from the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial to the Grand Hotel of Taipei in the distance, one of the tallest Chinese classical buildings in the world at the time of its completion with its vermilion columns and gilded roof tiles. Or you can look over the surrounding peaks and hills dominated by a subtropical broadleaf forest.
Another vantage point for the aerial perspective is obviously from a plane: geography fans will definitely get a kick on long distance flights following live the progresses of the plane on the seatback screen, while, if you're lucky, looking out of the window will allow you to see the extensive blue sky - its colours and calling to mind Alighiero Boetti's mural "Aerei" (Aeroplanes, 1978-1989) series - adorned with clouds resembling fluffy cream.
But how can the aerial view inspire us? We have mentioned its connections with fashion at the beginning of this post, but we can also add to them what we learnt from yesterday's post about Laurent Grasso's landscapes with those vast expanses of land seen from above, at times characterised by well-defined geographical contours.
This aspect of the conversation actually leads us to more profound reflections on the way these geographic boundaries impact our perception of the world. Borders, in essence, are not mere lines on a map; they represent the confluence of cultures, histories, and politics, forming a complex tapestry that influences how we understand and interact with our surroundings. The concept of nations and their borders evokes a sense of both unity and division, highlighting the diversity that enriches our global landscape while emphasizing the barriers that can impede our collective progress.
Themes such as the aerial view, borders and nations can be combined in clever ways in design projects, as proved by the Italy-shaped boots matched with Sicily and Sardinia clutches (1986) by Cinzia Ruggeri. But the artist, fashion and interior designer also created a table shaped like the island of Milos in Greece (2017), with one leg covered with a creel, a reference to the container used by fishermen, but also to craftsmanship.
Ruggeri is not the only interior designer who opted for this geographical solution for a table: Shigeru Uchida's land tables created for the 2015 Decoration Today exhibition in Tokyo, depicted indeed geographical regions of Japan.
In a way these designs provide conceptual roadmaps, allowing us to explore the multifaceted dimensions of our world without moving an inch.
Yet, their significance extends far beyond the mere aesthetics of cartography. These creations serve as reflections on the physical and metaphorical distances that define our lives. They speak to the boundaries and confines we encounter, both geographical and psychological.
In a poignant twist, they also draw attention to the stark realities of our world, where geographical borders have the power to both unite and divide, offering opportunities for connection or becoming the source of conflicts and turmoil.
From mere artifacts, these designs become therefore narratives etched with the stories of nations, borders, and the human spirit's unyielding quest for exploration. So, for today contemplate the significance of these notions, of the aerial perspective and of geographical boundaries, pondering about the beauty and complexity of our world from above and the intricate web of human and natural influences that shape our landscapes.
Comments