CSMP07/08 - Alcatraz

Question 1

What is a space?

Answer 1

• Space can be described as a location which has no social connections for a human being.
• No value has been added to this space
• No meaning has been described to it

Question 2

What is a place?

Answer 2

• is more than just a location and can be described as a location created by human experiences.
• The size of this location does not matter and is unlimited.
• It can be a city, neighbourhood, a region or even a classroom et cetera. In fact ‘place’ exists of ‘space’ that is filled with meanings.

Question 3

What are factors that influence perception?

Answer 3

• Religious/political beliefs
• Wealth
• Whether you’re a resident or a tourist
• Past experiences that people have had

Question 4

What city is Alcatraz found in?

Answer 4

• San Francisco

Question 5

Which famous monument is Alcatraz east of?

Answer 5

• Golden Gate Bridge

Question 6

What body of water is Alcatraz in?

Answer 6

San Francisco Bay

Question 7

How might people looking at informal representations perceive Alcatraz

Answer 7

• As an extremely dangerous place with the worst people in the world being held there, maybe perhaps due to stories they have heard of gangsters such as Al Capone
• A place of extreme risk and thrill (Alcatraz is a map in Black Ops 4)
• As a place of extreme mystery (Scooby-doo episode on San Franpsycho)

Question 8

How might prison guards and their families perceive Alcatraz?

Answer 8

• They liked Alcatraz a lot
• There was a strong sense of community for the families, and there would even go carolling on Christmas day
• They felt safe, the residents hardly ever saw the prisoners and it is a known fact that residents felt so secure that they never even locked their doors.

Question 9

How might the prisoners perceive Alcatraz?

Answer 9

• Prisoners would perceive Alcatraz in a largely negative light. Its built environment was designed to oppress and to maintain order
• The lack of green space would have furthered that negative view of Alcatraz
• There was the occasional murder (8 murders by other inmates) so the prisoners might perceive Alcatraz with fear
• The no talking rule although relaxed slowly over time would have had a negative effect on the prisoners