Tacoma's Architectural Identity?
Inspired by an article in Slate, Jamie and I have traded a few emails regarding the state of Tacoma’s architecture. The article, The San Francisco Paradox – When Good Cities Have Bad Architecture, describes San Francisco as a ‘glamour’ city with many great things, but no great architecture. While I love Tacoma, I’m not going to call it a glamour city or even compare it with San Francisco. Architecturally… we have a pretty clean slate. The Tacoma Art Museum, Museum of Glass, and Washington State History Museum all strike interesting positions in our landscape. To me, what makes Tacoma interesting is that juxtoposition of old and new. We have a fair amount of the old still around. Now, we’re starting to see the new. I’m a believer that Tacoma’s identity relies on this mix.
Jamie asked, “How do we foster an architectural identity when all of our buildings are designed by outside folks?” Personally, I don’t expect us to be a breeding ground for contemporary architecture. However, I do believe we can create a unique identity given our history, geology, and potential will.
Given the rapid acceleration in development around Tacoma, I believe we’re at a turning point. If we’re going to define our identity, now is the time. Except, who’ll get to define this identity? Where are we going as a city?
Link to Slate
5 comments
J Jesse July 27, 2010
When I was there I didn’t notice any divisions among audiences.
I did notice that there weren’t many fun things for kids to do or see booth-wise. All the booths seemed to have an agenda. The crafts, arts, and clothing booths seemed to be mainly African.
A AJ July 27, 2010
Wow! Negative much? All these different groups were all in the same park on the same day for the same reason? Wouldn’t family members and supporters of a group preforming on any particular stage be at that stage? Is it safe to assume those ethnic groups’ family and supporter are the same ethnicity? The music is plenty loud enough that one would not have to be right in front of the stage to enjoy the preformance.
A Altered Chords July 27, 2010
Next year the promoters in parnership with the police should force the white people to view and have fun at the gospel and dance areas and force the black people to smile and laugh at the storytelling stages.
C crenshaw sepulveda July 28, 2010
Is there any chance that some of the Daniel Blue stories could be re-run in this space? Just asking.
L lostinlosangeles July 28, 2010
No Native Americans performers?? Or are they considered original instead of ethnic? Should change the name of the fest to:
“Quit pouty facing like a giant leathery newborn with Stella McCartney coming out of your ear – none of us should be here anyways – so who cares how the divided divide themselves – festivus”