Today's blog post is inspired by one short section in Learning From Las Vegas, by Robert Venturi (Denise Scott Brown and Steven Izenour), a book we just read in class that, simply, defends the architecture and sprawl of the Las Vegas Strip. (Side Note 1: I am copying my Professor and just referencing Venturi, since come on, those last names are a mouthful). I don't think you will be surprised when I say that the inspiration of this post stemmed from this small section's," Vast Space in the Historical Tradition and at the A&P," (pg. 13), small reference to....wait for it....Versailles! History? FRENCH history? Pleasure palaces? I'm the first in line for discussion! In the section, Venturi argues that parking lots, which separate one from road and building, is a use of vast space to indicate direction. He states that the parking lot of the A&P is a specific example of "the evolution of vast space since Versailles," (pg. 13). It is not the actual parking lot that gives direction however, just like at Versailles, the use of fountains, lampposts, urns, etc. are used to indicate. This is an example of when "Symbol dominates space." Picture Caesars Palace, with its centurions, statues, the "classic" Greek columns- all things that indicate that Caesars Palace is an "ancient Roman experience" one can have and have pleasure in. At least for the Western world, I think the use of vast space and the idea of symbols dominating space really did start at Versailles. (Side Note 2: for the International Baccalaureate (I.B.) program's Extended-Essay (thesis equivalent), I wrote on Louis XIV's building of Versailles and how he used it to show his power and domination over the nobles and his subjects. Thus, I am truly nerding-out here). I am going to start with the biggest “vast space” and symbol within that space dominating it…Versailles’s “Golden Gate.” Here is a picture I took on my trip to Versailles in 2014: Notice the ornamentation on top of the gate: the encircled fleur de lis with the crown on top. This is a symbol in itself and indicates that Versailles is the seat of the French crown. Which, from Louis XIV to Louis XVI, it was. On the sides of the gate, above the stone blocks, are other ornaments. These, are the symbols of Louis XIV, the "Sun King" himself. You cannot see, but they depict the "Apollo" in the center of a golden sun. In front of this gate however, is an extensive stone courtyard, a statue of Louis XIV in the middle, leading from the road. Then, behind the gate, as you can see, there is another stone courtyard. It leads to another gate. Then behind the palace of course, there are the 1,976.84 acres of gardens, fountains, Marie Antoinette's "Hamlet," and the Trianons. Louis XIV converted the palace from a hunting lodge (where he pursued romantic, extramarital, affairs) to a pleasure palace (where he set ridged rules of etiquette and entertained the nobles, all to ensure his dominion). Space, was important. The key factor. A mighty king would not dwell in a small, cramped, humble abode. Oh no. Especially not this king. Versailles equated space and that space had to be brimming with symbols of the king’s power as well as pleasure to keep his courtiers there (and really, away from reality). So, how does this relate to the Las Vegas Strip again? Well, think about the length of the strip, how it stretches on and on. Before it was a pedestrian space, it was an automobile space. Visitors had to see the casino signs before reaching the casinos- from billboards to the parking lot signs- to remain interested and to yearn for the promised pleasure. Just, really, like at Versailles in its "golden age." Louis XIV's idea of providing "pleasure" was spectacle, fire works, nightly gambling, and of course, allowing nobles to watch him rise and perpare for the day (sounds crazy? for more information, read this: http://en.chateauversailles.fr/history/versailles-during-the-centuries/living-at-the-court/a-day-in-the-life-of-louis-xiv ) One building that was strikingly “Versailles” like to me, was the 1950/60s rendition of the Golden Nugget casino. Though it is supposed to be “Western,” I found that it held some Baroque (the initial style of Versailles under Louis XIV) similarities. Do you see the size? The immensity of the signs? The golden lights? The samount of space surounding it for traffic? And more importantly, do you see the ornamentation framing the “Golden Nugget: Gambling Hall” sign? It is not similar to that first gate at Versailles? With the ornamentation and the literal symbolized golden nugget hovering above the lettering? That golden nugget is to the sign, what the sun is to the gate at Versailles. If anything is similar between the Versailles and Las Vegas Strip, it is that both were built for pleasure, for one to be taken out of "real life." The spacing, as Venturi stated, is certainly true. I think in this post, I have at least contributed to that idea! REFERENCES Websites http://en.chateauversailles.fr/history/versailles-during-the-centuries/living-at-the-court/a-day-in-the-life-of-louis-xivhttp://www.humanitiesresource.com/baroque/articles/king_gambling.htm http://www.livescience.com/38903-palace-of-versailles-facts-history.html Books Rattenbury, Kester, and Samantha Hardingham. Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown: Learning from Las Vegas. Abingdon: Routledge, 2007. Print.
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