In “Spatial Stories”, the term ‘story’ implies a narrative that is both personal and culturally based. Certeau clarified a distinction between space and place – in which space can become place and place can become space as in the act of the transformation of a place, object take part in the space. The author tried to examine how the role of maps and tour narratives facilitating these transformations. Moreover, boundaries are created – the iterative power of narrative makes out boundaries that ‘have the function of founding and articulating spaces’. As for me, the word ‘boundaries’ are to be explained physically and mentally. Physically, it refers to the ability and mobility of one to enter or travel to a place – in a map, the road act a medium to allows people to travel from a place to another, break down the boundaries’ limitations. However, on the contrary, it acts as a boundary mentally, as roads indirectly separate spaces in which lower the chances for people to interact with the environment during the journey. In conclusion, the “Spatial Stories” contains lots of abstract concepts that are useful for me to think critically what is the function and meaning for space for me.
Chick Kar Yi Priscilla
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This is a little confusing – “in which space can become place and place can become space as in the act of the transformation of a place, object take part in the space.” Rather, de Certeau is pointing out that a geographical location (place) beccomes a meaningful space when it gathers meanings and is imbued with memories. This happens through the telling of stories, through narration. For example, relating to a friend your journey from one place to another or what you encountered in a certain place at a certain time with certain people/things etc. imbues meaning to that place. And henceforth, that traffic junction or street corner or… becomes a place where you meet so and so or where you saw this or that or…
Consider the production of boundaries. How are boundaries communicated in a map? By whom? For what purpose? De Certeau believes in the power of ordinary tactical acts in everyday existence (such as walking and telling stories) to challenge these larger institutional power that is imposed on the individual. Do you find yourself already doing these without realizing it?