Sunday, June 3, 2012

Sense of Space

The term sense of place has been defined and used in many different ways by many different people. To some, it is a characteristic that some geographic places have and some do not, while to others it is a feeling or perception held by people (not by the place itself). It is often used in relation to those characteristics that make a place special or unique, as well as to those that foster a sense of authentic human attachment and belonging. Others, such as geographer Yi-Fu Tuan, have pointed to senses of place that are not inherently "positive," such as fear. (source: Wikipedia)

I believe sense of space is how the environment; neighbourhood, city, country affects the locals and the visitors. The affect of environment on people, especially artists has been mostly discussed in the Romantic era. One of the poems discussing the environment is The Lake Isle of Innisfree by William Butler Yeats.

THE LAKE ISLE OF INNISFREE

By William Butler Yeats

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree, 
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made; 
Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee, 
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a-glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.
I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements gray,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.

In the poem author dreams about living near the lake where he would have a small cabin and would be independent from everyone else. He dreams about escaping from depressing city street to countryside full of life.