Monthly Archives: January 2025

On The Necessary Steps for The Revival of Civic Art

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A city reflects the collective mindset of its residents. Its structure and condition mirrors the internal values and priorities of the people who occupy it. Consequently, the quality and state of the general organization of its urban fabric—such as pedestrian walkways, bicycle lanes, parking configurations, and green spaces—mirror the collective consciousness of the populace.

It is tempting to attribute the disorganization and urban problems of a town solely to the executive leader in charge, such as the mayor or governor. While these figures play significant roles, in democratic systems, they are not permanent appointments; they are replaced or re-elected over time. Leaving their offices to new faces and, thus, new policies. Democracy, by definition, places the power in the hands of the people, meaning that those who are in charge and shape the cities—the executives and legislators—are themselves products of the citizenry. Cities, therefore, are reflections of the collective understandings, priorities, and values of the population.

Since civic art is a multigenerational art form that takes a long time to complete, even if a visionary and highly capable executive were to implement sweeping reforms to reorganize a city with remarkable foresight during his tenure, the continuity and completion of his efforts would ultimately depend on those who succeed him. And without a well-educated and civic-minded populace, the next nomination would go to a leader with no understanding and appreciation for his predecessor’s works; therefore, his work would be rendered incomplete, and the cycle of urban dysfunction would inevitably repeat itself.

Philip IV in Armour, c, 1628. Oil on canvas, Madrid, Museo del Prado. By Velazquez1

On a separate note: The British historian, Colin Rowe, advocated for urban harmony achieved through a collage-like integration of architectural elements from various historical periods. He believed that juxtaposing structures from eras such as monarchical times, ancient Rome, and modern democracies creates a richly layered urban fabric. This approach, detailed in his work “Collage City,” emphasizes the value of diverse historical contributions coexisting within the urban environment.2

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Lunar Influence on Human Physiology and Psychology

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Observation:

For the past 12 months, I have maintained an unwaveringly consistent diet. The same type of breakfast and afternoon meals, eating twice daily, occasionally supplemented with late-night snacks of assorted nuts and dried fruits. My dietary regimen serves two purposes: first, to maintain my fitness endeavors by ensuring a stable calorie and protein intake, and second, to manage a long-standing health condition of mine. I have suffered from a specific type of disease related to digestion and the vascular structure of the body since the age of 15, and as I age, the pain I experience seems to compound over time. It is a mechanical problem. To mitigate this, I prioritize on dietary fiber to support optimal digestive health and maintain a stable routine of daily exercise to keep my vascular and digestive health at acceptable levels. Despite my disciplined approach—consistent meals, ample hydration, and balanced nutrition—I’ve noticed that these health issues of mine recur unpredictably, regardless of external factors like climate and humidity, which I once suspected to be the cause. After a year long process of closely monitoring my symptoms, I noticed a striking pattern: for some reason, these problems predominantly occur during full moon periods and, to a lesser extent, during new moons, but almost never during a quarter moon phase. I could be idle laying on the couch for an extended period of time, eating pizza after pizza and lasagna on those days without any problems at all.

Image 1: Quarter Moon phase, my favorite

Question:

This mind boggling self-discovery has left me searching for explanations. Is this a coincidence? Why am I having these problems always on days that are close to the full moon phase or on that specific day?

Hypothesis:

It is well-established that during a full moon, the Moon exerts an enhanced gravitational pull, influencing Earth’s tides due to its alignment with the Sun along a shared axis. If we think for a second, if this force can move vast bodies of water, it stands to reason that it might also affect the liquid fluids and the structure which circulate it within living organisms as well, particularly humans, whose bodies are composed of approximately 60% water. I suspect that the change in the Moon’s gravitational force influences the structure of my vascular system, contributing to the recurring health issues I experience during these lunar phases.*

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Consciousness and Time

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The fleeting nature of time serves as an adversary for nearly all living beings. In the wild, a grazing rabbit cannot linger too long without risking becoming prey. Similarly, a predator in the wild must act swiftly; hesitation allows its quarry to take sudden notice and escape. The passage of time establishes a natural sense of urgency in most living beings, forcing animals to be in a perpetual race to act quickly and efficiently for survival.* And, over the long term, time manifests a more sinister property of gradually pushing life into decay—bodies eventually weaken, and, unfortunately, life diminishes. In this context, one might assert that time inherently carries the essence of a silent adversary for all living beings over the long term.† However, as human beings, somewhere along the line in the depths of our past, our hunter and gatherer ancestors have redefined their relationship with time by developing consciousness and the ability to contemplate on the future with the understanding of the nature of time. Through the development of our conscious faculties, we have somehow transformed time from a full adversary into a partial ally when needed. We are the only living beings on Earth capable of harnessing the passage of time to our advantage when we want to. Humans possess the unique ability to sit, reflect, and strategize, using time as a tool to solve problems. Our capacity for imagination and the willingness to learn through trial and error enabled us to approach challenges with patience and foresight, transforming the passage of time into a powerful resource for survival, growth, and advancement when needed.

Image 1: Diego Velázquez, The Waterseller of Seville, 1618-22, oil on canvas, 105 x 80 cm (Apsley House, London, England)‡
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