Brittany B. & Brittany V.
For this assignment we chose Union
Street Diner as our location for investigation for use of public spaces. This
place is planned to be used as a restaurant, but is also used as a place to do
homework, meet with friends, or as a last stop before heading home after a late
night. Activities within the diner are controlled by basic laws regarding
capacity, behavior, and social norms in relation to restaurant etiquette.
The design of Union Street Diner is one
that is common and easily recognizable as a place grab a burger, milkshake, or
breakfast for dinner. The reflective paneling on the outside of the building
exemplifies the aesthetic qualities frequently associated with a diner.
In an article from The Post, the diner expanded its services to accommodate a
late night crowd and busy students when it changed its hours and became open 24
hours:
The representational space within the diner is visible
in its visual appearance, atmosphere, business hours, and contents of its menu.
The representation of space within the
diner is visible through the many students that eat here, the late night
shenanigans, and the use of the diner as a place to study or converse with
friends. The representations of space and representational space typically
coincide on any given day. Exceptions to this would be during their late night
hours, when intoxicated students may violate social norms and behaviors. This
can be seen through their words and behaviors as drunk people often violate
what its typically acceptable of them.
In general, public space can have many
uses as space for representation. College green, for example, is a common
public space for students, families, and other members of the community to
enjoy. It is a place typically designated for studying, talking with friends,
eating lunch, playing catch, or just passing through on your way to class.
Additionally, college green is a public space that is so common, it is a place
for groups to get their voices heard. Protests and picketing are somewhat
common occurrences on college green.
The above photo is a picture of the
protests for the tuition hike at Ohio University. Students mobilized and
gathered to get their voices heard in protest of the planned raise of tuition
for students.
College Green is also used as a place
for demonstrations or raising awareness for issues that often go unrecognized.
Recently, women in Athens gathered to speak out against rape and sexual assault
during their Take Back the Night demonstration. They hung shirts on the trees
of college green as a way to gain attention and draw awareness on the issue.
Regardless of the ways in which public
space is used, be it representation of space, representational space, or spaces
of representation, what's important is that there is still the existence of
public spaces. These spaces may have intended uses, but in the end, people are
going to use them how they see fit. Whether it's a late night stop at the Union
Street Diner, or a casual lunch on college green, places are used according to
their purpose, but often have room for flexibility in the way in which they are
represented by the public.
