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When typically discussing design, perhaps specifically seen in cities around the world,
one may not consider all the potential impacts and influences design has on the cultural and
artistic identity of a place. Through his presentation, Rick Landesberg highlighted the many
purposes design can serve in a city and how his particular designs have given to the city in which
it resides. With his ideas in mind, a friend and I went downtown to experience them in person.
Through the guided tour, our eyes were opened to just how transformative a design can be in the
aesthetic of a city and its life. The designs we saw displayed a cultural connection with the city
by drawing on well-known aspects of the area to unite people and an artistic understanding of
Seeing different parts of Pittsburgh that are particularly interesting design elements
Pittsburgh. A crosswalk was decorated with beautiful paintings of bridges while still serving the
purpose of a crosswalk, lending itself towards the idea that what is considered art provides
function in some situations. Another culturally infused design was the beautiful Point State Park
medallion with a carving of the three conjoining rivers on it. As Pittsburgh habitants observe the
medallion they get a sense of their culture in regards to Pittsburgh’s location near the three lakes
and how special it is. The many bridges along the waterfront create that similar classic Pittsburgh
feel and continue to help make the city feel proud and culturally rich. Tolstoy speaks of the
infectiousness of art, and the uniting of the viewer or recipient of art with the artists and “other
people who partake of that work of art” (239). He discusses that art can be uniting and join many
together as they have the same experience of taking in the art. As people walk around the city of
Pittsburgh, they are invited to join in this joyous event by finding themselves surrounded by the
art of design on a day to day basis, whether they are walking to catch a train or taking a relaxing
moment near the water. The culture of Pittsburgh is rich and is perfectly captured in
Landesberg’s designs.
Secondly, the designs capture the ability for design to translate into art by incorporating
many different elements such as tempo, duration, and other such qualities as described by
Landesberg. The T station we observed included many elements, like repetition with the
overhanging silver metal poles and the ongoing structure of the design. It creates an interesting
shape that incorporates a modern feeling as well as a beautiful clean aspect. The trail map near
the river was vertically stretched and expanded the viewer’s idea of where they were and helped
contextualize their location in relation to the rest. It serves both form and function in the design,
as well as being an incredibly useful tool which helped my friend and I when we were figuring
out where to go next. Similarly, although the fountain was not on when I visited, the Point State
Park fountain explores height and grandeur, reaching tall and wide and adding to the artistic
picture of the area. The designs cleverly adapted to each area in which they were, adding context
broadened by view of how design can function in a city and add to it culturally and artistically.
As we journeyed back to campus, I found myself looking out for different other design aspects
that stuck out and made Pittsburgh feel even more like a complex but united city. It was quite
profound to see the elements of the city that stand out and make it more unique design by design.
WORKS CITED
Tolstoy, Leo. What Is Art?New York: The Bobbs-Merrill Co. Inc., Liberal Arts Press, 1960.
Print.