Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category
The Airport as Sculptor of a National Identity
December 29, 2009
With all the focus on getting from point A to point B as quickly and efficiently as possible, it’s easy to forget how culturally significant – and not just functional – an airport is. As your eyes dart from departure board to boarding pass to terminal signs, it’s only natural to overlook the symbolism of your surroundings, and the underlying messages that the surrounding architecture is communicating.
The frustrations and inevitable systemic failures we encounter at an airport distract us from the importance of airports as cultural ambassadors. Not only do these massive transportation hubs expose us to travelers from around the world, they often offer us our first impressions of a city or country upon arrival.
In order to help clue us in on these messages that we so blithely miss, writer Alain De Botton did what many of us would find unbearable – he voluntarily spent one week in an airport.
As a writer-in-residence in London’s Heathrow International Airport, De Botton observed the interactions of travelers and workers, the emotions surrounding air travel, and the expressive nature of the airport architecture to put into question just how the communicative power of a constructed space functions. His findings are presented in his book, aptly titled A Week at the Airport.
In his book, one insight that De Botton offers on airport architecture – and on architecture in general - is the way it can project a dream: “[Heathrow Airport] was proposing a new idea of Britain, a country that would be reconciled to technology, that would no longer be in thrall to its past, that would be democratic, tolerant, intelligent, playful and lacking in spite or irony.” As it turns, airports aren’t just places where planes are meant to land and take off, they are spaces where thoughts and ideas are likewise encouraged to take flight. They are, ideally, modern day visions of Utopia.
De Botton continues: “[Heathrow] was applying the prerogative of all ambitious architecture to create rather than merely reflect an identity. It hope [sic] to use the hour or so when passengers were within its space — objectively, to have their passports stamped and to recover their luggage — to define what the United Kingdom might one day become, rather than what it too often is.”
In other words, Heathrow, and by extension many other airports strives to present more technological advancement – with its self check-in computer kiosks and high definition departure boards – more modern aesthetics, more spacious design, and more playfulness than the surrounding city. According to De Botton, the airport possesses many of the qualities that the city aspires to have years from now.
Air travel wasn’t always so inclined toward idealism. The first airports were minimalist - little more than open ground and hangars. But, as air travel surged by mid-century, so did the desire for more inspiring architecture. The TWA Terminal at New York’s John Kennedy Airport is an early example of more fantastical airport design. Built in 1962, the terminal has a whimsical, space-aged aesthetic typical of the Googie architectural movement, with an overall appearance that resembles a grounded alien craft. Ultimately, though, the terminal proved too small to contain a subsequent boom in civilian air travel.
There is a definite resurgence in the trend among airports around the globe and of all sizes for ambitious architecture. The whimsy and vibrant colors of the undulating roof at Madrid Barajas‘ new terminal and the cavernous, sparkling ceiling of Kuala Lumpur’s international airport imply that these places celebrate creativity and imagination (not to mention that they’re prosperous enough to fund such over-the-top projects). On the other hand, the sheer size of Beijing’s nearly two-mile long Terminal 3 (pictured above) seems a reminder of China’s own size and rising power. Whatever messages there are to be found in the architecture, airports these days are striving to outdo each other.
In part, these buildings are also odes to the romanticism that lingers around human flight. No matter how mundane the process of flying has grown, the force of a plane taking off is enough to accelerate even the most jaded traveler’s heartbeat.
Architecture in general, in addition to the many forms of technology infused into it, now more than ever exhibits an affinity for idealism. Modern public spaces are ones that are technologically advanced, efficient, environmentally conscious, and offer egalitarian access and treatment. Consider Google’s unofficial mantra of “Don’t be evil,” or Nintendo’s popular Wii video game console, whose demographic is simply and boldly identified as “everyone.” As technology and architecture hone in on a more customizable, sustainable, and democratic future. Places like airports strive to offer us fleeting glimpses of this future. They can embody the dreams of a nation, a city, or just a single architect. One can only hope that these dreams don’t remain so for long.
Source: “A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary, by Alain de Botton” cityofsound.com;
“Flights of fancy: The world’s best airport architecture” guardian.co.uk.
Photo courtesy of:
Feng Li/Getty Images.
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En Route and in Style: How To Be Travel Chic
December 21, 2009
In the frenzy of packing for your holiday travels, the last thing on your mind may be the stylishness of the outfit you wear to the airport or train station. When you’re running late, hauling an overpacked suitcase, or managing delays and cancellations, you might consider looking coordinated and chic a lost cause.
We, however, propose that there are still good reasons to look travel chic even during this most stressful time of year. For one, the time you spend in an airport exposes you to a multitude of travelers from around the globe. It’s your chance to be a global ambassador of style – Kate Moss was discovered in an airport, after all. Second, your travel outfit may be the first outfit your loved ones see upon your arrival. The outfit you wear is the first statement you make about how your life has progressed since the last time you saw distant friends and family. Lastly, wearing your most stylish items onto the plane ensures you won’t lose them should your luggage never arrive at baggage claim.
The best part is that looking travel chic needn’t mean compromising comfort or practicality – which tend to be the two priorities when traveling long distances. By looking calm, cool, and coordinated, you encourage your mind to feel the same way. Below are some quick tips and recommendations for either men or women on clothing and accessories that can keep you looking your best, even when you’re stressed.
The Right Eyewear
When you’re jet-lagged and travel-weary, your eyes can be a window to your disgruntled soul. Yet, with the right eyewear, you can be left feeling more refreshed than red-eyed when you awake from your high altitude nap. Those who wear contact lenses should consider eyeglasses for long flights and train rides, to avoid dry eyes. We recommend a pair of Oliver Peoples‘ eyeglasses for their retro flair. Sunglasses are also useful, since they can cover up signs of weariness or double as an eye mask while napping. Try a pair of souped up Ray-Ban Wayfarers from Oak. Their iconic design will be internationally recognized, but these unique designs help to redefine the look.
The Right Jacket
You might feel the urge to play it safe and wear your puffiest, most weather resistant jacket at this time of year, especially when headed towards wintry destinations. Yet, once you’re on the plane feeling like a parade balloon, you may wish you had reconsidered. Be realistic and think about how much time you’ll actually be spending outside. If the majority of that time is comprised of walking between a cab and the airport entrance, a trim pea coat will suffice. A Burberry rain jacket is also a reliable style choice. It will provide you with the necessary protection against the elements, and, since it’s made of thin polyester, it’s easily stowed away once you’re indoors.
The Right Sweater
Since you’re opting for a lighter jacket, you’ll want the added warmth of a sweater. Layering is not only the current stylistic preference, but it also allows you to adjust to a variety of temperatures on the fly. Tri-blend and flecked sweaters are a hit at the moment. Cardigans, on the other hand, can be shed without disturbing your hairstyle or your eyeglasses. A simple, neutral-colored cardigan goes well with most outfits. Customize the look by bunching up the sleeves or buttoning and unbuttoning to your preference. Oversized cardigans can also double as mini-blankets as you get cozy in coach.
The Right Pants
While sweatpants have been documented as an increasingly accepted fashion trend, we would wait until the trend proves its staying power before we recommend wearing them outside your living quarters. Unless you’re truly dedicated to your favorite pair of jeans, it’s best to steer clear of denim as well, especially if its raw or form fitting. Travel space will be tight enough as it is. For a pair of pants that maximizes comfort without disregard for style, try American Apparel’s affordable travel pants. The name says it all. The pants come in subdued blue and gray tones, plus a jazzier red option, and at less than $70, they’re relatively wallet-friendly.
The Right Bag
The first rule with a carry-on bag is not to overstuff it. This requires a good deal of discipline in the packing stage, but it pays off in the end. Remember: a tech chic traveler is one that isn’t bogged down by heavy baggage. Your bag should not be bursting at the seems and, if necessary, you should be capable of carrying it with one hand. Upscale labels like Louis Vuitton and Givenchy make excellent weekend-style bags that provide enough space for just that – a weekend’s-worth of clothes and necessities. J. Crew also makes more affordable men’s and women’s travel bags and mini-suitcases that mimic the sophisticated look of higher end brands. When it comes to laptop bags, we prefer tighter fitting sleeves as opposed to laptop shoulder bags, which tend to be clunky.
The Right Shoes
This is arguably the trickiest category. When it comes to footwear, comfort and style are usually required to duke it out. For women this is especially true. Obviously, high heels can be problematic and could potentially slow you down. We recommend avoiding heels or keeping them reasonably low. Loafers (without socks) are the epitome of comfort and maintain a certain level of class, but might not be appropriate for harsh weather. If needed, go for boots. If you don’t have a broken-in pair, you can buy them vintage at stores like Stock in New York. Otherwise, women, try this guide to winter boots - from high to low and everything in between.
The Right Guides
Being travel chic isn’t all about appearance. It’s also about the kind of know-how that comes with being cultured and experienced. Of course, you can always turn to a little helpful cheating with the right travel guides. Louis Vuitton and Wallpaper* produce travel guides that are fashionable in both content and appearance. The Vuitton guides currently cover over a dozen major cities, while Wallpaper* covers 80. Both sets of guides cater to discerning travelers and offer a more subjective approach to travel guides by listing addresses that best capture the spirit of the destination cities, according to the editors. The guides also prioritize beauty – in both the locations they cover and their own design-conscious packaging.
Source:
“Wallpaper* City Guides” wallpaper.com;
“Louis Vuitton City Guides 2010″ luxuo.com.
Photo courtesy of:
luxuo.com.
Posted in Fashion, Travel, Vacations, holiday season | No Comments »
Has America Abandoned Las Vegas?
October 20, 2009
While Las Vegas remains one of the defining cities of the United States, it’s one that is often regarded with a mix of fascination and discomfort. It’s the embodiment of America’s uninhibited nature—a place to test the boundaries of one’s usual propriety. It’s America’s occasional mistress, not its longtime love interest. There’s a reason the city sits in the middle of a barren desert—within arm’s length, but isolated enough to keep temptation at bay.
America’s take-it-or-leave-it approach to the city of Las Vegas has been particularly harsh during the economic crisis of the past two years. October of 2008 brought a 10.2% drop in the city’s visitors—the biggest downturn since September, 2001. Monthly visitation rates and gaming revenues have plunged over the past year, and even as the rest of the country looks toward recovery, the city’s current unemployment rate sits at 13.4%. The Southern Nevada Index of Leading Indicators from this past September showed slight economic gains, but the most optimistic economists predict no significant relief for Vegas before the end of the year.
Las Vegas may be the brightest city in the world, but certainly not in current economic terms. Read More »
Posted in Dining Culture, Las Vegas, Restaurants, Travel | No Comments »
The Iconic American Road Trip: A Lost Tradition?
September 1, 2009
Many an American has considered it: a coast-to-coast road trip across the United States. Like something branded on the collective American imagination – a remnant of frontier times perhaps – the road trip has been romanticized for decades. Even before iconic movies like Easy Rider and Thelma and Louise gave us the promise of escape, renewal and self discovery, people have dreamed of packing up and taking off. Yet road trips remain more talked about than actually taken – be it out of a lack of time or fear of countless highways, seas of corn husks, and pit stops that may not have the furnishings of home, to put it mildly.
Posted in Traditions, Travel, Vacations, World Holidays | No Comments »
