Jake Mosher
During the exploration of the constructed landscapes we saw today, one common element we discussed was layers. Manhattan, much like an onion has layers. Wherever you put your feet down you aren’t stepping directly onto soil that has been there for millions of years. More often than not you are standing on top of many constructed layers of different systems of the city. These layers could be as simple as a lawn or paving unit, or as complex as a combined sewer or subway system. During my journey I was over, under, sometimes even inside the Island’s layers. I took these images always standing on a structure of some kind, always elevated. The most affluent people in Manhattan live in the highest floors of the nicest buildings, watching over the rest of the city. It is instinctual for humans to want to be elevated above their environment. It provides a vantage point with a wide field of view, allowing one to survey the landscape to mark out sources of food, water, and shelter. It also allows the surveyor to avoid negative interactions in the landscape such as dealing with predators or stepping onto undesirable layers. The images in this grid are all myself standing on top of the layers of Manhattan. Some of the images have an extra couple layers, these are the plinth layers. Mies van der Rohe believed every great building must have a plinth to sit on. I took on the role of the building in many of these images and stood atop the various plinths I encountered on my journey. Coming from a background of being somewhat vertically challenged, I have always had a fondness for finding a tall place to stand. I find this happens mostly when I am in an area with a lot of people densely packed together. The landscapes I was in in these images were often packed with people. I am sure I probably gave at least a few people a giggle today as they saw some random person hop up on a landscape element and take a picture of their feet. “Why would anyone look down at their feet in New York when there is so much to take in like skyscrapers, traffic, and the many other beautiful views the city provides?” I chose to gather this set of images to ensure I was always conscience of what I was stepping over, whether it be a grate in the sidewalk on 5th Ave or trying to avoid goose poop on Randall’s Island. While these aren’t majestic or beautiful things to be walking on, they provide a good contrast to more pleasing layers of landscapes such as the Highline.
During the exploration of the constructed landscapes we saw today, one common element we discussed was layers. Manhattan, much like an onion has layers. Wherever you put your feet down you aren’t stepping directly onto soil that has been there for millions of years. More often than not you are standing on top of many constructed layers of different systems of the city. These layers could be as simple as a lawn or paving unit, or as complex as a combined sewer or subway system. During my journey I was over, under, sometimes even inside the Island’s layers. I took these images always standing on a structure of some kind, always elevated. The most affluent people in Manhattan live in the highest floors of the nicest buildings, watching over the rest of the city. It is instinctual for humans to want to be elevated above their environment. It provides a vantage point with a wide field of view, allowing one to survey the landscape to mark out sources of food, water, and shelter. It also allows the surveyor to avoid negative interactions in the landscape such as dealing with predators or stepping onto undesirable layers. The images in this grid are all myself standing on top of the layers of Manhattan. Some of the images have an extra couple layers, these are the plinth layers. Mies van der Rohe believed every great building must have a plinth to sit on. I took on the role of the building in many of these images and stood atop the various plinths I encountered on my journey. Coming from a background of being somewhat vertically challenged, I have always had a fondness for finding a tall place to stand. I find this happens mostly when I am in an area with a lot of people densely packed together. The landscapes I was in in these images were often packed with people. I am sure I probably gave at least a few people a giggle today as they saw some random person hop up on a landscape element and take a picture of their feet. “Why would anyone look down at their feet in New York when there is so much to take in like skyscrapers, traffic, and the many other beautiful views the city provides?” I chose to gather this set of images to ensure I was always conscience of what I was stepping over, whether it be a grate in the sidewalk on 5th Ave or trying to avoid goose poop on Randall’s Island. While these aren’t majestic or beautiful things to be walking on, they provide a good contrast to more pleasing layers of landscapes such as the Highline.
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