The Visualization Of Third Space Through Marcus Hartel’s Street Shoots In NYC

Abstract

Henry Lefebvre builds the production of space on three moments. These are perceived, conceived and experienced spaces. These three moments conceptually correspond to space practice, space representation, and representational spaces. Edward Soja develops his concept of thirdspace on Lefebvre’s three moments. Third space is the intersection and even combination of perceived and conceived space. The intersection and combination is lived and experienced space. He defines trialectics of being and trialectics of spatiality by setting out a voyage through Lefebvre’s works. He addresses to Foucault’s concept of heterotopia. According to Soja, experiencing serial movements of a user create a new phenomenology. However, how is it possible to capture the instant image of serial experience of a space? Street photography can capture the instant images of people’s experiences in spaces without costume and fiction. In photos, we sometimes see much more than the explored, conceived and perceived spaces. This study aims at exploring the instant images of user’s serial movements in terms of making sense of Soja’s concept of thirdspace. It uses visual material to give meaning to a phenomenological concept rather than reaching precise and constant results. Ten photos from Marcus Hartel’s Black and White Street Photograph, and Color Street Photograph portfolios were chosen. As a method these photos are read through the context of thirdspace by evaluating the key concepts of their phenomology. After an introduction part , in the second part of the study space production of Lefebvre, in the third part heterotopia of Foucault, in the fourth part Soja’s thirdspace are examined. In the fifth part, Marcus Hartel’s street shoots are read again through these concepts. The instant exploration of user’s serial movements in perceived and conceived space include context and meaning by referring to the intersection of perceived and designed space. The contrasts used by photography artist correspond to dual contrasts criticized by Soja. Hartel’s photos taken in New York also refer to heterotopia concept of Foucault (Soja refers to heterotopia, as well). Within this context, this study examines the problem of how the space is read and produced through three moments of Henry Lefebvre,heterotopia of Foucoult, thirdspace of Edward Soja, and street photos of Marcus Hartel. This study neither seeks precise results nor make an effort to produce an artistic output, the study only tries to produce the concept of third space through lived spaces snapshots. In other words, it is suggested to acknowledge this study as a third research.