sexually explicit
Blade Runner, 1982 IN REVIEW
Zhora's endless running death
Priscilla Stratton dance of death
After two damp and dreary hours of navigating an inevitable Los Angeles to be; most are left enlightened and equally violated. Hampton Fancher and David Peoples script a sexually crude and explicit reality inside of the toxic Los Angles. The imagery paints an underlying critique of identity, technology, and the machine of Metropolis.
The story they tell is coupled with cinematic excellence in its sequencing and atmosphere created under Ridley Scott. The dark nature of the scenes spotlight the Replicant's frightened deaths, while the architecture happens to fall in the background in a 'matter of fact' sort of way.
This type of storytelling is not exclusive to sci fi flicks of the 80's. Rem Koolhaas plays with this writing style as well while elaborating on the innovations of Coney Island and its anatomical significance to Los Angeles.
"Coney Island is a clitoral appendage at the mouth of New York harbor, discoveredone day before Manhattan itself."
...
"Toward 1890, the introduction of electricity in this impasse
made it possible to create a second daytime—intense electric lights were placed
at regular intervals along the surfline, so that the sea could be enjoyed in a truly
Metropolitan shift system. Those unable to reach the water in the day were given a
12-hour extension. What is unique in Coney Island—and this syndrome of the
Irresistible Synthetic sets the tone for later events in Manhattan—is that this illumination
was not seen as a second-rate experience, but that its very artificiality was
advertised as an attraction in itself: Electric Bathing."
Zhora's endless running death
Priscilla Stratton dance of death
After two damp and dreary hours of navigating an inevitable Los Angeles to be; most are left enlightened and equally violated. Hampton Fancher and David Peoples script a sexually crude and explicit reality inside of the toxic Los Angles. The imagery paints an underlying critique of identity, technology, and the machine of Metropolis.
The story they tell is coupled with cinematic excellence in its sequencing and atmosphere created under Ridley Scott. The dark nature of the scenes spotlight the Replicant's frightened deaths, while the architecture happens to fall in the background in a 'matter of fact' sort of way.
This type of storytelling is not exclusive to sci fi flicks of the 80's. Rem Koolhaas plays with this writing style as well while elaborating on the innovations of Coney Island and its anatomical significance to Los Angeles.
"Coney Island is a clitoral appendage at the mouth of New York harbor, discoveredone day before Manhattan itself."
...
"Toward 1890, the introduction of electricity in this impasse
made it possible to create a second daytime—intense electric lights were placed
at regular intervals along the surfline, so that the sea could be enjoyed in a truly
Metropolitan shift system. Those unable to reach the water in the day were given a
12-hour extension. What is unique in Coney Island—and this syndrome of the
Irresistible Synthetic sets the tone for later events in Manhattan—is that this illumination
was not seen as a second-rate experience, but that its very artificiality was
advertised as an attraction in itself: Electric Bathing."
Rem Koolhaas Life in the Metropolis or The Culture of Congestion Architectural Design 47,no. 5 (August 1977)
Koolhaas' word play dances on the edge of explicit. Audible taboo for the casual reader. It makes you uncomfortable but also intrigues you. Intentionally, Koolhaas feeds off of the engagement by following the absurd with analogical evidence of his statement.
Crude yet effective.
I appreciate how you describe the architecture as "matter of fact." To me, the image that comes to mind is the wild west. Just as in your favorite western, Blade Runner LA is a harsh unforgiving expanse where danger exists around every bend. The congestion, the buildings, the multitudes of people in Blade Runner create a built landscape of impersonality. It makes perfect sense that the Blade Runners are portrayed as "gunsliggers."
ReplyDeleteIt's graphic and impossible to avoid the clear visual implanted in your memory. Using that terminology is so unexpected it catches you off guard.
ReplyDelete• Nailing studs
• Pipe penetrations
• Floor mounted / ceiling braced
• Concrete vibrator
• Hot-dipped
• Steel erection
• Gutter flashing
• Deep grinding
• Full bed of caulk
• Butt joint
• Butt glazing
• Exposed membrane
Koolhaas's hyperbole seemed to be linking the human experience with all natural elements- sex, intimacy, nature, and social hierarchies. I didn't interpret his writing as explicit just for the sake of attention-seeking, but as a common denominator amongst humans.
ReplyDelete