Vacancy and Landscape

Unihabited

In everyday language, land or a building described as "empty" or "vacant" means there are no structures or people visible, or the building is currently unoccupied, or that neither have apparent productive use.

-Carla I. Corbin, Landscape Journal

Corbin, C.  “Vacancy and the Landscape: Cultural Context and Design Response.”  Landscape Journal 22.1 (2003): 12-24. 12 Nov. 2008. 

http://lj.uwpress.org/cgi/content/abstract/22/1/12

Carla Corbin is an associate professor of landscape architecture at Ball State University, Indiana.  In her article she discusses what constitutes a ‘vacant’ landscape, and the implications it has culturally.  Corbin states: The declaration of vacancy or emptiness erases important dimensions of a site: natural processes and characteristics above or below the scale of conventional perception, cultural history or meanings that may not have physical presence, and systems that are not recognized as having immediate functional purpose.  Corbin examines vacancy and landscape in terms of culture, discussing how certain areas are perceived, valued, and described.  She also explains different theories behind vacant areas, and how designers and architects should approach these sites, pointing out specific problems that come with vacant landscapes. 

As I continue working with very controlled urban landscapes, the idea of vacancy and abandonment are very strong elements in my work.  Reading this article by Corbin was enlightening because I was able to read an expert’s view on theories regarding vacancy and landscape.  I thought it was rather interesting when Corbin described vacancy as “an open landscape that lacks scenic appeal or distinguishing features,” because even though my images are ‘vacant’ in a sense, I would like to think that they contain enough information and color to give them appeal.  Reading this article helped me to better define my concept.

Image:

http://www.corkingallery.com/files/Chad%20Gerth%20-%20Division%20&%20Latrobe%20lo.jpg