Kendall
Steele
6
November 2012
Professor
Asher
FYS:
Discovering San Francisco
Threes Company
Do
you know what amazes me about San Francisco? I’m struck by the individual
culture each district has identified with. Sure within each district there is a
multitude of different opinions and alternative lifestyles, but there is a
specific motif that represents each district. After spending Monday after
walking around Lower Haight, the Castro District, and both the Harvey Milk
Center and the Duboce Park, I discovered not only the similarities of these
communities, but I discovered the differences within each community. I
discovered these differences by comparing signage between the three districts.
As
our class walked done Haight to reach the Castro district, my eyes were not
focusing on the long and steep hill ahead of me. Rather, my eyes quickly
scanned the vibrant and playful signage that surrounded my pathway. Our
professor pointed out a few places of interest. A store dedicated to the
Tibetan culture, a market similar to a Whole Foods or a Trader Joe’s, and a
multitude of other unique independent shops. What distinguishes these stores
from others in Union Square or the Marina is the colorful and over the top
signage used to capture prospective customers. The vibrant color palette and
the optical allusions displayed across the exterior of these shops are alluring
to the eye. The signage is appealing to a person’s senses. In a way, the
signage of Haight is engaging. People stop and take a second look at a window display,
or glide their fingers over a mural, feeling the different textures of the
wall. Therefore, Haight’s signage is distinct from other districts because it
is engaging and over the top.
Now
that I have talked about the signage of Haight, I would like to move on and
talk about the Castro district. The Castro district is known for its large
population of gay and gay accepting residents. Therefore it is appropriate to
claim that the signage of this district appeals to the gay and gay friendly
community. As I walked through the Castro district, I saw many flags of support
and several shops that featured advertisements to the gay population.
Specifically, I took notice of a sign that read “Stop the Violence: Stop Hate.”
This sign is of huge significance, because the backwards triangle represented
in the signage was originally used as a prejudice signifier of gay affiliation
during the time of Hitler’s regime during WWII. From the signage I was exposed
in the Castro district, I have no problem claiming that the signage of this
district is gay friendly.
Now
that I have finished discussing the signage of the Castro district, I want to
begin talking about the Harvey Milk Center and the Duboce Park. From the
exterior, the Harvey Milk Center looks like any other public center, like a
YMCA. However, the interior is quite different from the understated façade. As
I opened the doors and entered into the building, I was met with warm colors
and comfy chairs. As you walk out onto the balcony, you are met with a beautiful
view of the Duboce Park. As I looked into the distance, I saw dogs and their
owners playing on the grass. Therefore, I believe that the signage of the
Harvey Milk Center and the Duboce Park is not only public to you and I, but to
dogs.
All
three districts share many similarities, but it is their differences that
define them.
No comments:
Post a Comment