REFLECTION

BY: JAVIER ARÉVALO

My actitud in front of the public space, it`s a combination between fear and loneliness, the high degree of violence has made the public space die and the actitud you got become more as a challenge to use that kind of space, and that´s when the salvadorian people act diferent in that kind of space. public space become more as a territorial space of diferent kind of groups, know if we talk about the climate in San salvaodr, it´s obvious that public space is not suitable for such kind of weather, when it rains and when the sun hits your face, public space doesn´t have the enough tools to protecto you, and then the actitude you develop for that kind of space is that it is useless.

Astrid's Reflection

What do you think of yourself acting in public space?

In my perception the way I live the public space depends on the place and the persons that I am with, most times we don’t enjoy the spaces as we should, maybe because of the routine of going through the same places every day or whether out of fear. After the workshop with Chotima I’ve learned that it’s important living spaces in different ways and see everything with new eyes, the same places that we visit every day could be beautiful if we build that atmosphere. Personally I enjoyed the whole experience and I realize that every moment we live in these places are ephemeral, we must find ways to make them pleasant and livable for all.

What do you think “The Salvadorean” attitude in public space is?

I think it's part of our culture to be closed when we are in unfamiliar surroundings, few people are waving to someone on the street or interact with someone who does not know. This, coupled with the insecurity of our city limits the interaction of people in public places where they feel vulnerable, but often it depends on how well you know a place, for example people who spend time or work in these places that are known to them may seem safe but for others not.

EPHEMERAL/(IN) FORMALITY: Group Discussion

Before this workshop, as a group we discussed, that we did not have a clear concept of what the word “Ephemeral “meant, however, from what was presented by the group understands the importance of the concept in our environment.
It was interesting to see how each of them was discovering the word ephemeral in the city and as based on their creativity make each room keep a special moment in the memory of each of them.

With the presentation of this exercise, we noticed the interest that each one of the members put in place to discover all the features they were nice and essential to complete the assigned concept and also able to discover that there are places in town that may have an important place in our daily lives.

Each of the sites presented peculiarities as was shown by Sofia Oasis, where we believe we managed to capture perfectly the ephemeral concept adding that it has sentimental value for her there. On the other hand, we attracted much attention El Paseo El Carmen, because it showed that what made it special was that space dimension, the elements that comprise it, because as a small space could be experienced in the concept of ephemera.

(in)Formality Group : Gustavo Ruiz, Rocio Sanchez, Diana Turcios y Lissett Ruiz

REFLECTION

At first sight there are many perceptions formed over a public space and not all are positive, by the fact that one is adapted to certain conditions that generally make us despise the places when these do not qualify we want, however, after the participation in the workshop I could tell that each space, however it may seem in unfavorable conditions, always has many qualities that can make a pretty nice place, in others words, if you look at the place, leaving aside the appearance it can realize that there are determinants that highlight the value of that space.

In general I think that Salvadorians are accustomed to the monotony, because we form a routine which is difficult to separate; for that reason is not given the opportunity to new places and those that exist are not given the use to be either out of fear, comfort, facility and indifference

Final Reflections

My attitude towards public space is a combination of sadness and distrust. It appears that the public space in the country has been forgotten, what has allowed people to feel indifferent towards it and that generates crime. To me the attitude of the Salvadoran respect to public space is one of indifference and is that indifferent attitude that tells us that they have grown accustomed to living away from public space, seeking refuge in public-private spaces such as the many shopping centers in the country.

Carmen Elena Rivera

Ephemeral reflection

How is my attitude in public spaces?

Every time I go to a public place as an architect I try to be part of the environment by observing and interacting with other people while making sketches. I am interested in getting to know persons that share that moment with me.

How do salvadorian people act in public spaces?

Salvadorians are egocentric, selfish and it seems that they do not care about other people´s business. This attitude is an self defense mechanism to avoid strangers.

Reflection Day 3

This day we begin again in search of a place meant for us the concept SHITF IN TIME, we were in search of a place that did not feel over time, where we could, talk, laugh, enjoy and let it happen the time without thinking. Our first stop was at the central park of Antiguo Cuscatlan, managed to cover some of our expectations until we found a small Pupuseria that exceeded our expectations with respect to time, we do not feel the time in this one.

In our country there are probably many places like this do not feel the passage of time around us, what we lack is desire and daring to look.

by: Andrea Durán

My reflection

by: Rocio Sanchez

What do I think of myself in public space

After this workshop, I believe that public space is much more than the first impression it gives you. You have to give every place a chance, because each one has a different story and way of making things work. I think we’ve all learned throughout this week with the 6 different concepts Chotima presented to us. Now I know that, if I give them a chance, simple places can bring ephemeral moments, intimacy, make us discover new feelings, a little informality inside formality, make us shift in time and even work in a perfect way if we let them. It’s all about the perspective you give a place, so what I believe we should do now is go out there and learn to see nice and beautiful places without them necessarily being luxurious or inside our comfort zones.

What do I think salvadorean attitude in public space is

I believe that it depends on what a good public space means to a person. For some people it means going inside a mall surrounded by people, for others is going to a quiet place and enjoying nature, and a lot of different concepts. So I think we salvadoreans are very accommodated to a certain way of having fun or feeling comfortable, we have to be a little more adventurous and try new things and places. I considered myself a person that plays it safe all the time, but this week I’ve learned that when you have the right attitude and the will to try new different things, almost every place can do.

(in) Formality

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwZTBTim84A

The end of the week our group identified the different perceptions can have on the (in) formality, may be through the appearance, order, rules, improvisation, depending on the point that you observe (in) formality, as we said: “(in)formality= informality in formality”. In the exercise we do, we note that (in) formality was not so negative barnacles, contrary the (in) formality that we created, generate reactions like fun, experience, confused, attraction people who shared with us within the university and those were only passing through.

Gustavo/Lisset/Rocío/Diana

Diana´s Reflection

What do you think of yourself acting in public space?

I've always felt a little fear of it, due to the insecurity prevailing in the country, but thanks to the experience of exercise performed at the International Workshop for the first time I could enjoy what I have for "public space" a space which is in bad shape, that does not meet user needs, but had not noticed because unfortunately I get around by car, which increases my indifference to the "public space". I think I do very little use of it could be because of the aforementioned things, but I think that public space is a privilege and a necessity that I have, because through it I can enjoy an outdoor activity, I can move as I want without having to find parking to park, I can really do whatever I want without anyone telling me "do not", public space is the word by which I can be part of the city, a city that is no stranger to me and my problems, where through all Salvadorans are equal no more than anyone. I feel that I understand the space and the development of my city, to know in depth, through the public space, but not through the streets but from the heart of it, walking each of its sidewalks, streets, plazas, parks, rides .

What do you think of El Salvadorian attitude in public space is?

I feel that the attitude of Salvadorians to the public space is of disgust, indifference, disrespect, afraid, inadequate, due to the different social problems the country is experiencing. It is common to see the image of a person throwing trash on the street from either the bus or from the vehicle which transports or the person who is traveling on the sidewalk, or expressions like "it's not mine to take care of" pity hear people say that because public space really belongs to each of the Salvadorans. It would be easy to blame the same space of the indifference of Salvadorians to the same, and that public space does not meet their basic needs, but as we can say that if the way they use it is not correct, there is no correct way to use but if there is a way to use it consciously. As Gandhi said: "Be the change you want to see in the world," we must be the change that our public space to flourish and be revitalized, through better use, care for it as if we invest in, like a child ours. As I mentioned before through the public space is how we communicate with the city, if we want a better city, we begin to know it, live it and respect it.

Diana Turcios

Reflection on this week...

By: Maritza Umaña

My experience this past week acting in publicspace, I really feel showed me how different designing and  actually living the space canbe. I (almost) lost the fear of walking around my city and discovered that in the mostnormal and everyday acts you can find the most basic aspects to start anurbanistic design. Also I discover that El Salvador’s metropolitan area ismissing a great deal of public spaces and for me, that’s why the socialinteractions between Salvadorians are so deteriorated. Even if the conditions existfor people to talk and share life, most citizens choose not to do so, and thatis a worrying fact of my society. Not only we live in fear, but we arecomfortable living that way and almost no one takes the initiative to changethis attitude. I hope to incorporate this aspect to my design process, so inthe future my projects can influence these selfish and fearful attitudes tochange. 

Magda's Reflection.


* While being in public space specially in the city I am usually very nervous if I'm by myself, I don't really feel safe in public space in the city. Totally the opposite in a small town I really enjoy myself walking or eating or just being in a park or a plaza, enjoying the view, the activity and the people around.  


* I think people from El Salvador are not really aware of public space. I don't think they are able to enjoy it since they are not usually paying attention of what they have around. They just pass it by worrying about their own things and always in a rush.  

My Discovering Experience

By: Maritza Umaña

For me ahuge learning experience from my “Discovering Lunch” was to realize the socialattitudes of regular people doing regular things in their regular routines, butthat were absolutely extraordinary for me because I was analyzing them as newand different in my book. Number one lesson for me was the interaction betweenthe owner of any restaurant and the customers; it had a familiar and so harmoniousfeel to it, it actually surprise me and made me conclude that most of what a eaterysells is the experience you have while you are in that place, no matter how nicelydecorated it is.  Lesson number two wasthe control us Salvadorians like to have at the moment of our food beingprepared. Whether in a pupuseria o a Concheria (seafood restaurant), we like tosee firsthand what’s going on with our meal, if there’s too much onion in it,too little sauce, if my portion is smaller than the other costumer’s… Out ofthese two lessons I came up with one architectonic conclusion about the layoutof many restaurants in El Salvador, and that is that we sell, not only the foodwe prepare, but the whole experience from cooking it, to putting it together,to giving it out to the costumers just the way they like it. WE SELLEXPERIENCES (Even if we’re unaware of it). 

Last, butnot least, for me the DISCOVERing was in the whole cluster of things we saw, smelled,heard, ate and touched… without any of these aspects my experience would havebeen absolutely different, and probably not as fun and inspiring!

Reflections shift in time - day 3

SHIFT IN TIME

This day was exquisite, because the group found much of the city that we could not see before. Walk drawing, listening to music, talk, take pictures, talking on the phone, finally we would not do much alone in a place we do not know.
we could feel through a Pupuseria an environment that was different from the immediate environment but retain features that we liked the center of Antiguo Cuscatlan.
Reflected in the first scheme, the persepciones through our senses and how each helps us enjoy the space. With the environment we were able to identify the Pupuseria as a clear example of shift in time.

Intimacy / Shift in Time: Group Discussion

When we think of intimacy the first thing that usually comes to a person's mind is been alone, or been with one or two other people, but after the "Intimacy Group" shared their experience with us it opened our mind to other ways that can be intimacy too.

The group shared with us the experience thay had at a small eating spot next to a construction site, and by describing how been in a small place sorrounded by both natura and a construction in progress, the breeze and the shade of a little dinner actually invites people to gather arround a small place and the intimacy comes when they started interacting with people they've just met for the first time without feeling unconfortable, wish proved that you can be in a small place sorrounded by other people you've never seen in your life but you can still get in touch with them in a friendly way.

In the end the group showed us that Intimacy doesn't have to mean been alone, or sharing with just one or two persons, because by been in a confortable small place actally helps you to open up and by that way sharing a small meal with many people can become an intimate experience too.

Shift in Time: Andrea, Fatima, Ordia, Alirio, Pedro & Ricardo

Alirio´s reflections

What do you think of yourself acting in public space?
I think that I can interact with all the elements that are present in the same physical space with me. But if I have the physical ability to interact with my environment, does not mean you have an open mind to create that interaction.
After the workshop Chotima week, I broke the mental barrier that avoided me enjoying the public space for contemplative actions and dynamic actions allowed me to see that security in public space and the rescue of the popular activities are dependent on the desire and actions of us all as citizens.

What do you think of El Salvadorian attitude in public space is?
Salvadorans enjoy the public space, we adopt attitudes to relax, enjoy the place but we are awaiting around us because exists a psychosis on social insecurity.
Provide the city of spaces that invite people to enjoy the public space is a challenge for everyone. We need a shift in time, involving current generations and future generations, so we can enjoy a safe public space.

Alirio´s reflections

What do you think of yourself acting in public space?
I think that I can interact with all the elements that are present in the same physical space with me. But if I have the physical ability to interact with my environment, does not mean you have an open mind to create that interaction.
After the workshop Chotima week, I broke the mental barrier that avoided me enjoying the public space for contemplative actions and dynamic actions allowed me to see that security in public space and the rescue of the popular activities are dependent on the desire and actions of us all as citizens.

What do you think of El Salvadorian attitude in public space is?
Salvadorans enjoy the public space, we adopt attitudes to relax, enjoy the place but we are awaiting around us because exists a psychosis on social insecurity.
Provide the city of spaces that invite people to enjoy the public space is a challenge for everyone. We need a shift in time, involving current generations and future generations, so we can enjoy a safe public space.