Suburban Portfolio
HONR 159J: American Suburbia
Presented by Tariq A. Dahmas
Spring 1996
Suburbia is a concept that has puzzled society
ever since its formal creation at the end of the eighteenth century. The
suburban phenomenon has been the focus of considerable attention and
analysis due to its ambiguous nature and qualities. Analysis of suburbia,
in the second half of this century, has primarily focused on understanding
its nature and embodying values. This has been a difficult task since
suburbia is often viewed as a component of an urban region rather than a
distinct entity. A shift in the role of suburbia has occurred, within the
past century, due to the popularization of the suburban form in mainstream
American culture.
Throughout its history, suburbia has been physically
definable yet
ideologically abstract. For much of its existence it had the luxury of
being immune to the probing of external entities. A lack of a firm
ideological base allowed it to freely alter its form and transform its
views in accordance with the beliefs of the time. Suburbia was able to
lurk within the shadows of urban areas while still assuming its own
separate identity. This identity was an identity that never really
existed and yet seemed to shape the character of its inhabitants.
The ability to control one's destiny, a significant
component of
the American dream, quickly began to be associated with suburbia.
Suburbia offered its inhabitants a part in molding their existence and
future. The beauty of the natural landscape and the seclusion of the
location offered families the necessary environment to raise their
children. Suburbia was a place where dreams became reality and promises
of a better tomorrow confronted its inhabitants with the dawn of each new
day. This caused it to emerge as the embodying symbol of the American
dream. It was a tool that allowed one to enjoy the pleasures of life
without having to part with the conveniences of an urban environment.
To understand the true nature of suburbia, one must
consider its
founding principles. Although they were not formally articulated,
suburbia was built upon several defining notions. Suburbia was created as
an escape for the middle class from a society that offered it few hopes of
a prosperous future. The vision of suburbia was always a vision of
exclusion and intolerance. It was, and still is, a haven for individuals
to divide themselves based on class, race, and religion. Yet, this has
often been denied in light of the beneficial environment and the spirit of
freedom that is seen as inherent in the suburban image. The dream has
always functioned as an illusion- a dream commonly used by suburbanites to
construct a false reality and a superficial identity.
Suburbia can no longer attempt to conceal its moral and
social
problems under the guise of a serene and pastoral environment. Many of
the problems of the city that the suburbanites sought to escape followed
them to suburbia. They failed to realize that the suburban image cannot
change the characters of its inhabitants. Many suburbanites continue to
be disillusioned about the power of the suburban form and they often fall
prey to the deficiencies of their personalities.
Suburbia Unveiled
The suburban phenomenon has been the focus of analysis
and
discussion within the class HONR 159J: American Suburbia. I, along
with my
classmates, have conducted a topical study of the fibers that compose the
suburban environment. These studies have been mounted in the form of
virtual exhibitions that are intended to engage the reader with the
suburban concept. The projects presented are contained within the
framework of three main topics concerning suburbia: the physical
environment, the values and identity of the suburbanites, and a case study
of a suburban setting.
The first project explored the physical landscape of
suburbia. An
artifact analysis was performed in order to understand the material
culture of the suburban environment. From a general overview of the
project, it is evident that suburbia possesses a unique material culture.
Although the objects studied are not exclusively suburban in origin, they
embody and represent a specific set of values. I chose to study the
fireplace as a typical suburban artifact. After a discussion of the
history and meanings of the artifact, I came to the conclusion that
suburbanites commonly see the fireplace as an ornamental item. Its deeper
significance as a family hub was lost in the social setting of suburbia.
A study of the values that are attached to suburbia was
the focus
of the second project. This analysis was done in the context of the
popular media. Issues such as race, class, age, and gender were explored
through the medium of literature, television and film. The nature of
suburbia as an exclusionary environment, even in the present time, is a
common theme depicted in these works. Suburban gender portrayals in
television commercials of the 1970s was the topic which I chose to
explore. I found that the suburban image was used to reinforce the
popular gender roles of the time.
The third project consisted of a case study of a
suburban
community. An analysis of the physical and social elements was undertaken
by the class in order to place the suburban phenomenon in a realistic and
unified context. Through a survey of the various projects about
Greenbelt, Maryland it can be seen that the community faced many of the
social problems that gripped greater suburbia. Although it differed from
suburbia due to its modeling around a set of specific ideals, its
inhabitants did not always live up to these founding visions.
These projects collectively discover the inherent
character of
suburbia. They dissect the phenomenon into specific topics and then
synthesize the conclusions to mold a general picture of suburbia. From an
overview of the projects, it is evident that suburbia lacks a social and
moral ideal. Suburbia is truly superficial in nature and form. Project
one reaffirmed the tendency by suburbanites to use material objects to
shield their personalities. The discriminatory and rejections tendency of
suburbia to divide society is evident from a look at various project two
exhibitions. Suburbia as a whole has a considerable distance to cross
before its social setting is as appealing and inviting as its physical
setting. Until suburbanites cease to use the image of suburbia as a
shield to their actions, the suburban environment will continue to be an
inhospitable environment for greater society.
Virtual Exhibitions
Project 1: The Fireplace as a Suburban
Artifact
Project 2: Gender Roles in the 1970s: The Suburban
Vision in Commercials
Project 3: The Development of Greenbelt and the
Decay of
Ideals: 1950-1970
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