In my previous pre-class blog, I discussed Charles Jencks concept of anthropomorphism reflected in architecture. I also want to point out another one of Jencks emergent rules that is seen in postmodern architecture, known as “anamnesis”. Anamnesis, when in architecture, is when elements of the past and the present combine with one another and harmonize. In class, Dr.C described a few examples of anamnesis shown in our society such as: Celebration, Baldwin Park and others. All of these places were built within recent years but resemble a time period from the past. For this specific post-class blog, I want to discuss two other examples that demonstrate the idea of anamnesis.
Do you ever wish you could go back to the 1950’s and sit down in diner to enjoy a fat, juicy cheeseburger, a Coke and a strawberry milkshake? Well, now you can because of the great builders of America. Johnny Rockets is a present day diner that is made to look as if it were literally taken out from the 1950’s. They have everything under the sky such as: burgers, fries, shakes, sodas and even floats. Also don’t forget to put a quarter in the juke box and listen to your favorite song of the past. If you’re looking for a genuine 1950’s diner then burger join truly embodies the past.
Another example of one of America’s burger past times is known as Sonic. This fast food restaurant is known for its retro drive-in service. What I love about this fast food chain is the interactions that the customers have with the workers. The customer can either choose the drive-thru or they can pull up to the drive in box where you can order your food where your car is parked. Ten minutes later a waiter or waitress will bring you the food that you ordered, but that’s not even the best part. The waiter or waitress is known as a carhop and they bring you food on roller skates. Sonic isn’t just known for its delicious menu of burgers, fries and shakes but it offers an authentic retro feel with an a drive-in and carhops on skates. If you want a great experience of the old days, than you should go check this place out.
Overall, Jencks points out an element of the past that is reflected in our present society in homes, work places and even restaurants. Juncos wants his readers to take away that this type of architecture is “an enigmatic allegory [that] makes use of dissociated and partial memories and, at best, creates a simulacrum of meaning where the overtones combine and harmonise” (Jencks 1992, 286). I love the combination of the past and the present, because it gives people a small taste of what it was like back in the good ole days.
Q: As I was writing this post, I came across Krispy Kreme Donuts. I wanted to open it up to the class and ask if Krispy Kreme Donuts would be considered to fall under Jencks concept of "amnesis"?
The following links are to give a little more insight about the restaurants Sonic and Johnny Rockets:
References
Jencks, Charles. 2014. “The Emergent Rules: Postmodern Poetics and the New Rules.” In Postmodernism: A Reader, edited by Thomas Docherty, 281-294. New York: Routledge.
No comments:
Post a Comment