"What You Are Getting Wrong About Appalachia" presents a diverse and pluralistic region. While praiseworthy, there's one aspect of Catte's vision that disheartens me.
No, not at all, I live in Spain, I'm just really interested in Appalachian culture and the ways of life there. I see similarities with our "Empty Spain" region here.
But you see it everywhere really, the way so many places are losing what makes them unique and getting diluted in a sort of featureless non-culture. That's why I really like what you're doing here.
Agreed. In the US, for example, there's relatively little difference culturally when living in any of the major cities. Architecture styles are less and less regional, and everyone is being steamrolled by mass culture.
I'm not familiar with the "Empty Spain" region, but I'm interested in the Basque region, especially the co-op work revolving around Mondragon.
Exactly! I think the issue with Architecture encapsulates the whole problem. Regional architecture entails understanding the land, the seasons, the weather, the landscape... whereas building everything Le Corbusier style means you don't have to worry about any of those things, but also that it won't be as good a building.
Empty Spain is mostly East center and West center, places that are being abandoned and which the government kind of ignores.
I live in the Basque region! Mondragon is far north from where I live (far for Spanish standards) and culturally it feels like another world to me.
I know about the co-op, but I'm not really sure how they function. Maybe you even know more than me!
And I'm with you regarding Le Corbusier. Modernist architecture's eagerness to disregard tradition and erase local vernacular is analogous to the loss of biodiversity we're experiencing because of globalizing economic forces.
This is really really interesting. I really like the point you make about Appalachia being a distinct region.
It’s not as distinct as it used to be, but there’s certainly a particular flavor here.
Do you live in Appalachia?
No, not at all, I live in Spain, I'm just really interested in Appalachian culture and the ways of life there. I see similarities with our "Empty Spain" region here.
But you see it everywhere really, the way so many places are losing what makes them unique and getting diluted in a sort of featureless non-culture. That's why I really like what you're doing here.
Agreed. In the US, for example, there's relatively little difference culturally when living in any of the major cities. Architecture styles are less and less regional, and everyone is being steamrolled by mass culture.
I'm not familiar with the "Empty Spain" region, but I'm interested in the Basque region, especially the co-op work revolving around Mondragon.
Are you familiar with them?
Exactly! I think the issue with Architecture encapsulates the whole problem. Regional architecture entails understanding the land, the seasons, the weather, the landscape... whereas building everything Le Corbusier style means you don't have to worry about any of those things, but also that it won't be as good a building.
Empty Spain is mostly East center and West center, places that are being abandoned and which the government kind of ignores.
I live in the Basque region! Mondragon is far north from where I live (far for Spanish standards) and culturally it feels like another world to me.
I know about the co-op, but I'm not really sure how they function. Maybe you even know more than me!
I've only encountered a handful of articles/videos covering Mondragon, so my knowledge is still limited.
There's actually a local co-op in town (about 15 minutes from my house) I wrote about that takes some inspiration from Mondragon: https://www.shareable.net/this-southern-appalachian-town-uses-co-ops-to-build-new-communities-around-old-industries/
And I'm with you regarding Le Corbusier. Modernist architecture's eagerness to disregard tradition and erase local vernacular is analogous to the loss of biodiversity we're experiencing because of globalizing economic forces.