After recently watching all of “The Truman Show” (1998) and (some of) “Blade Runner” (1982), I ran across this article on Facebook that pulled these two films as important cinematic explorations of postmodernism in architecture and urbanism. I grew up going to Seaside, FL, where “The Truman Show” was filmed, and I have watched it transform from a small, experimental New Urbanism community to an often traffic-heavy, desirable beach town. Seeing Seaside through a lens of skepticism was definitely unusual from my perspective, but I can see how the overly cheerful atmosphere of the beach houses supported the too-good-to-be-true set of the Truman Show.
“The scenery is no less fictional: an absolutely organized city, with single-family homes isolated in their lots, perfectly mown gardens and good citizens”.
As for Blade Runner, I didn’t quite make it all the way through the movie. I didn’t particularly enjoy the plot, but I was amazed by the visuals. “The Truman Show” and “Blade Runner” really could not be more different visually, but the blend of Asian and American aesthetics in a gloomy, hectic, rainy atmosphere made for a really captivating setting.
My hometown needs work. I’ve been keeping an eye on the Downtown Mixed-Use Development Project for a while now. If our city government, which I have very little faith in to begin with, manages to keep the investors for this project, the potential for profit in the downtown area is limitless.
“Several businesses have already gone up in the area where the city is looking to expand and several vacant buildings are nearby. If the city pulls off its latest venture, it could be a game changer.”
An extremely well-written article highlighting several Florida new urbanism communities, including my personal favorite, Seaside.
“But no one is more aware than Duany that New Urbanist plans alone won’t create a utopia. An urban plan must be managed carefully, with a clear vision and the ability to pivot when necessary.”
In contrast to my last post, the direction the city of Seattle is headed in is unbelievably grim. The urban architecture of Seattle is beautiful and diverse, although a lot of it does seem to adhere to the same patterns of PNW trends. It becomes difficult to revel in the beauty of Seattle when such a depraved undercurrent runs beneath its surface.
