Post date: Aug 30, 2011 10:39:7 AM
Arcosanti | Jeff Buderer | 08.29.11 - The reality is that despite the roots of Arcosanti that inspired me to consider this idea of EdenSpace, I see that we have departed from the true way of dynamic thinking and actions that's needed to sustain a culture and society that seeks to be not only informed, but inspired by natural process and systems. So when we think of achieving Critical Mass within an Arcology or any social movement for that matter, why is it that we have so often a tendency to overlook what should be common sense steps for the realization of our reason for us being here?
It was this idea however misnamed - of Organic Architecture - that made Paolo Soleri and Cosanti famous in many social circles and networks around the world over these last 50 or so years. Yet I dont feel it is wrong or inappropriate to say that we the people at Arcosanti have departed significantly from that path of innovation and trailblazing that made Arcosanti a destination for some to build their lives around an alternative idea and interpretation of reality that went against the grain of mainstream American society.
Antonio's and Flavio's project in the Mindsgarden to me reflects a desire to think to build to contemplate what was built and then to build again. The cycle never ends or should never end. When it ends or erupts in fits and starts as part of a social stifling process something needs to change. Otherwise we need to ditch this Urban Laboratory idea and just see Arcosanti as a museum of what was and an testament of what should/could be for the future of humanity.
I feel myself in conflict living here and seeing the potential yet seeing the egos in place here that holds the project back and keeping it from become once again a place people go to see the best in alternative thinking and action.
A certain "conservative" aesthetic pervades Arcosanti right now and I find it to be boring and predictable. Too smooth, too white and two linear. Also two reliant on corporate solutions made in distant lands. Not Sustainable. What we are supposed to be doing here should go against the corporate status quo of mainstream society. Yet I increasingly see solutions and efforts put forward that are not really that innovative and are based on a lack of a creative process: to not only think up alternative ideas and concepts, but to figure out how to successfully implement them at Arcosanti.
I think Arcosanti has created its own status quo that is stifling innovation here. Its not surprising that influential people at Arcosanti would frown on what Flavio and Antonio are doing. It is interesting to consider how this has come about - that a project calling itself an Urban Laboratory would discourage the kind of thinking and spirit that I see in them. Yet I know that they did not go by the book or play by all the rules and it might have been offensive to some here. Despite that, I cant help but seeing that the positive aspect of their work and effort far outweighs the negatives - because they are taking a risk to do something different and working with natural materials.
My theory is that when you feel that stifling energy in a place you want to resist it and some times that ruffles feathers. I understand those who feel their feathers have been ruffled and I relate because I think you need to consider the people here at Arcosanti who have been here for a while trying to make things happen. Still though I keep finding myself attracted to the spirit that comes out of me when I see what they are working on because they are taking a chance and seeing this place as an Urban Laboratory.
While there is much I love about Arcosanti and its unique design, I feel over the years it has departed significantly from spirit of the Cosanti vision and the aesthetic that come out of that. While I know there are practical reasons for this such as codes and safety issues - if this is what is keeping us from being nonlinearly creative then it is a sad statement on the currently regulatory reality and how that is stifling architectural innovation. I think it goes deeper than that though to express a fear of becoming or doing things different than the norm. Even a fear of getting your hands dirty and interacting with your environment. Another issue is this idea of people coming here who have not been at Arcosanti very long and getting creative in a way that goes against the aesthetic norms that define the Arcosanti status quo can lead to differing understandings of what is done in good taste.
There are a lot of issues that brings out in me a lingering frustration about how things have evolved here over the years and how work is done and organized here now.
I'll be talking about those issues here from time to time.
Feel to comment or write your article. Contact me at buderman@gmail.com