Narrative lines of movement across the city by Giada Peterle

Narrative lines of movement across the city by Giada Peterle https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement A shared online notebook on representations of mobilities en-us 2020-12-14 08:27:50 UTC 2023-02-28 22:27:52 UTC hello@padlet.com Cosmopolis | Post-car futures in literary automobilities giadapeterle https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1015255542 The novel "Cosmopolis" by American the writer Don DeLillo was published in 2003. It became a movie by David Cronenberg in 2012. Through retracing a one-day car journey of the protagonist Eric Packer in New York, the novel narrativises the experience of automobility discussing a series of topics: automathisation, auto-mobility and privatisation of movement in public space, detachment from the urban environment, virtual spaces and mobilities. The white limousine by Eric Packer represents a symbol of late capitalism and the prediction of a 'post-car world'.

He stood in the street. There was nothing to do [...]. There was nowhere he wanted to go, nothing to think about, no one waiting. How could he take a step in any direction if all directions were the same?

_{Image: book cover of the italian edition}

]]> 2020-12-14 09:14:55 UTC https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1015255542 The sound of automobilities | Death Cab for Cutie giadapeterle https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1015954502 In the North-American culture automobility covers a symbolic value often connected to a sense of freedom. Cars are far more than transport means, and represent a means for self-affirmation, a symbolic access to adulthood, and the possibility of liberation from the chains of social constraints. In its music the American alternative rock band Death Cab for Cutie often comes back to these cultural values, telling automobilities from the perspective of both the passenger and the driver, like many other musicians.

Passenger seat | Transatlanticism | 2003:

I roll the window down
And then begin to breathe in
The darkest country road
And the strong scent of evergreen
From the passenger seat as
You are driving me home
Then looking upwards
I strain my eyes and try
To tell the difference between
Shooting stars and satellites
From the passenger seat as
You are driving me home
Do they collide?
I ask and you smile.
With my feet on the dash,
The world doesn't matter.

When we drive | Thank you for today | :

When we drive (x2)
You and I were born in motion
Never in one place for too long a time
And now it's the only way we know to survive
I like the way your hair tangles
The way your sun tan's only on one side
We always keep the windows open wide
When we drive (x4)
Climb into the back seat and close your eyes
I've got the wheel
Dream of all the places only we will find

]]> 2020-12-14 14:14:42 UTC https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1015954502 Drawing automobile dynamism and speed giadapeterle https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1016112946 The avant-garde used to represent objects like the car or the airplane to emphasise the sense of speed, the advancement of technology, and thus glorify modern progress. The industrial city was often co-protagonist of this sense of 'moving forward' through motion that was celebrated in Italy by the futurists.
See for example:

Luigi Russolo, Dinamismo di un'automobile, 1913

Tullio Crali, Le forze della curva, 1930

]]> 2020-12-14 14:47:30 UTC https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1016112946 On the road | The Beat generation and the American landscapes of movement giadapeterle https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1016208773 The novel On the road by Jack Kerouac represents the connection between the Beat generation and the 'landscapes of movement'. Published in 1957, it represents a milestone of the American culture after the second world war.
The novel portrays the USA from 1947 to 1950, and starts from the adventures and journeys (often hitchhiking) across the country of Kerouac himself. It is the voice of a generation and has become a movie by Walter Salles in 2012. Here's the trailer that will help you enter the mood of the narration through a series of 'mobile framings' representing cars, car-only environments, roads, and landscapes as seen from the car-windows.]]> 2020-12-14 15:06:55 UTC https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1016208773 Let's keep going | Thelma and Louise giadapeterle https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1019534233 The American movie Thelma and Louise was directed by Ridley Scott (1991) and became a masterpiece of feminist art.
Indeed, it represents a road trip embarked by two women whose struggle for self-affirmation and freedom brings to dramatic consequences. In the epic final scene the two women 'keep on going', and prefer to leap into the void with their car rather than give up their freedom.]]> 2020-12-15 11:30:06 UTC https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1019534233 Life of Pi https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030783755 This novel, written by Yann Martel in 2001, is an interesting example of dealing with the concept of "mobility" in an implicit way. By describing the struggle of the protagonist, Pi, the author makes us reflect about which different meanings a long journey (MOBILITY!) can get. Pi, indeed, living on a boat with a tiger for more than 200 days raises questions about the nature of reality and how it is perceived. ]]> 2020-12-18 10:11:35 UTC https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030783755 Folding Beijing-depicting the opposite of mobility-RRH https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030785977 It is an award winning science fiction novelette by Hao Jingfang.
The plot is set up in the future, when Beijing was physically divided into three sections occupied by three different classes with out any overlap. Lao Dao, a waste processing worker of the third class, accepted a task to pass on a message from a student from second class to a girl from the first class. Without any permission to travel, Lao Dao has to risk his life in oder to travel.

The physical division of the space represents the social immobility people faced nowadays. Mobility, in this case, Lao Dao's travel, is a metaphor of struggles made to have even a glimpse of people from other social strata.

]]> 2020-12-18 10:12:51 UTC https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030785977 Mobility as a Heroic and Holy Adventure: Holy Diver https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030787363 From the chivalry stories to contemporary fantasy series, male protagonists are depicted as launching on an adventure, a mission during which they are transformed and matured physically and mentally. Following this tradition, famous American heavy metal band, Dio recorded their song "Holy Diver" which depicts its protagonist taking the road and going after freedom. Of course, again, there is a strong and positive connection between automobiles, highways, and masculinity. In addition, the song has a second symbolic meaning which marks the development of heavy metal culture in the United States. In a way, the song enhances the connection between mobility and masculinity as well as completing the mission of maturing heavy metal culture.]]> 2020-12-18 10:13:44 UTC https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030787363 On the road again https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030787432 In this song, the meaning of getting "on the road" so on the move, is a synonym to freedom, exploration, adventure and generally liberation of the body and mind. Mobility in this case is a choice and not a compulsion, and it gets a liberating meaning.]]> 2020-12-18 10:13:47 UTC https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030787432 Around the World in Eighty Days https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030788109 Written by Jules Verne
It represents a sudden long journey for a man living in solitude. The troubles man encounter in the path of his journey and how he deal with them. it shows both fun of traveling and troubles of it.]]> 2020-12-18 10:14:13 UTC https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030788109 Forrest Gump https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030789081 In this movie we see Forrest Gump growth (both physical growing and character growing) which can represent us the mobility of human in time.
And then Forrest Gump start running and being in different places.
I think these movements cause the growth of Forrest character. as he learnt from others and environments and his adventures.]]> 2020-12-18 10:14:54 UTC https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030789081 Blow | Colombian 🤬 in US through airplanes https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030789907 Blow (2001) is a biographical film about the 🤬 smuggler George Jung, part of the Medellin Cartel and linked to Pablo Escobar.
The film starts with George as a kid in the US East coast and his decision to move to the West as a young man to seek his fortune (California as a dream, a topos).
After starting with dealing weed, he found a way to import drugs (🤬 was emerging in US market) from Colombia with airplanes. In this case the airplane has a strong symbolic meaning of freedom and barrier-crossing. The air route between US and South American is a central element of many films.]]> 2020-12-18 10:15:24 UTC https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030789907 Green Book https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030791254 The film is based on a road trip between a black customer and a white driver across South America. The "Green Book" is a guide book lists places where local blacks can eat and sleep, because many hotels and restaurants are restricted to whites only. Two people of completely different identities, different classes, and even prejudices towards each other. The friendship they established during this perilous but interesting journey not only crosses the racial barriers, but also explains how we should truly face ourselves in life.]]> 2020-12-18 10:16:01 UTC https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030791254 Easy Rider #travel #motorcycles #freedom https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030791656 Probably the best movie ever (1969) to describe what mobility really means, especially highlighting its strong relation with the notion of "freedom".
With P. Fonda, D.Hooper, and J. Nicholson. ]]> 2020-12-18 10:16:17 UTC https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030791656 America - Simon & Garfunkel https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030792653 Lyrics: "Let us be lovers, we'll marry our fortunes together
I've got some real estate here in my bag"
So we bought a pack of cigarettes and Mrs. Wagner pies
And walked off to look for America"Kathy", I said as we boarded a Greyhound in Pittsburgh
"Michigan seems like a dream to me now"
It took me four days to hitchhike from Saginaw
I've gone to look for AmericaLaughing on the bus
Playing games with the faces
She said the man in the gabardine suit was a spy
I said "Be careful, his bowtie is really a camera""Toss me a cigarette, I think there's one in my raincoat"
"We smoked the last one an hour ago"
So I looked at the scenery, she read her magazine
And the moon rose over an open field "Kathy, I'm lost", I said, though I knew she was sleeping
I'm empty and aching and I don't know why
Counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike
They've all come to look for America
All come to look for America
All come to look for America

Analysis: Mobility is examined in this song in many ways. Simon & Garfunkel are two American artists representative of Folk music during the 60s and 70s in the United States, a time in which the culture was focused on expanding perspectives and "freedom" of self. The lyrics depict a story of a couple taking a road trip across the United States. Simon & Garfunkel use many different types of transportation, to depict the variety of mobile vehicles at the time. They mention: Greyhound (bus company), hitchhike, bus, walking, and cars. These words evocate a feeling of possibility, giving listeners a reminder that there are multiple methods of transport in which we can be mobile. Time is also used frequently: dream, four days, an hour ago, the moon rose, counting. All of these "time stamps" give listeners an opportunity to understand how mobility exists through time and how it transports us to the future. Also, places are mentioned frequently so as to demonstrate the lengths that mobility provides. We have "real estate" which evokes an image of land/ownership, an important pillar of "Americanness". We also have Pittsburgh, Michigan, Saginaw, and the New Jersey Turnpike. These places give us a finite location in which we can imagine individuals moving to and from. ]]> 2020-12-18 10:16:56 UTC https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030792653 Ithaka- C.P. Cavafy https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030795017 Ithaka

BY C. P. CAVAFY

TRANSLATED BY EDMUND KEELEY

As you set out for Ithaka

hope your road is a long one,

full of adventure, full of discovery.

Laistrygonians, Cyclops,

angry Poseidon—don’t be afraid of them:

you’ll never find things like that on your way

as long as you keep your thoughts raised high,

as long as a rare excitement

stirs your spirit and your body.

Laistrygonians, Cyclops,

wild Poseidon—you won’t encounter them

unless you bring them along inside your soul,

unless your soul sets them up in front of you.

Hope your road is a long one.

May there be many summer mornings when,

with what pleasure, what joy,

you enter harbors you’re seeing for the first time;

may you stop at Phoenician trading stations

to buy fine things,

mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony,

sensual perfume of every kind—

as many sensual perfumes as you can;

and may you visit many Egyptian cities

to learn and go on learning from their scholars.

Keep Ithaka always in your mind.

Arriving there is what you’re destined for.

But don’t hurry the journey at all.

Better if it lasts for years,

so you’re old by the time you reach the island,

wealthy with all you’ve gained on the way,

not expecting Ithaka to make you rich.

Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey.

Without her you wouldn't have set out.

She has nothing left to give you now.

And if you find her poor, Ithaka won’t have fooled you.

Wise as you will have become, so full of experience,

you’ll have understood by then what these Ithakas mean.

* This poem is a representation of mobility, used as a metaphor for the "journey of life". In other words, the poem could be summarised in the quote "the journey, not the destination matters". Mobility is represented as a necessary and important factor in someone's life, as a synonym of adventure and as a liberating but also enriching experience that everyone should try. Because what is important is not the destination itself, but the experience of mobility.

]]> 2020-12-18 10:18:30 UTC https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030795017 I Tagli - by Lucio Fontana #art #movement #disrupture https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030796536 This set of artworks produced by Lucio Fontana between 1958 and 1968 can be related to an apparently distant concept like "mobility". These artworks, indeed, represent a deep form of disruption, creating a sudden change of perspective (both mental and physical), like all forms of movements.]]> 2020-12-18 10:19:30 UTC https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030796536 The Ateneum in Helsinki: https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030814074 This new exhibition uses iconic artworks to combine them with modern subjects and different themes. Beautiful examples of how iconic works of art can be adapted to the present and reflect modern issues can be seen at the exhibition. This issues are mainly race, class or gender. It is a very different way of conveying today's current problems, which many of them can be examined the aspect of mobility, through art and getting attention. Here we can see the permanence and effects of art even if time and its problems change. This can be a good example to apply to examine the mobility and dynamism of this art.
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20200624-what-makes-an-iconic-work-of-art]]> 2020-12-18 10:31:01 UTC https://padlet.com/giadapeterle/narrativelinesofmovement/wish/1030814074