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Article: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.(evolution of public space)
- Article from:
- The Architectural Review
- Article date:
- April 1, 2001
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 EMAP Architecture. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Throughout history, public space has formed the backdrop to public life, for commercial transactions, social exchange, entertainment, protest and contemplation. Now as Western society becomes more introverted and private, such spaces are under threat, but the need remains for poetic and pragmatic responses to public life.
In around 1730 Canaletto painted the Piazza San Marco in Venice. His picture is an intricately detailed portrait of the activities of daily Venetian life: clusters of people engaged in conversation, others crossing the piazza, some observing activity, children running about and playing, dogs stretched out in the sun, vendors and hawkers along the ...