Spring Break
The Daily OrangeStairway to acceptance
Speaker Amy Villajero relates architecture to gay lifestyle
By Andrew Kase
Posted: 9/25/07, 11:43 PM EST Section: Feature
"Television preoccupied the melodrama during this period, and the different stairs of Barbary Lane represented different challenges, obstacles and paths of obstruction," Villajero said.
Villajero discussed how to account for large spatial structures, like Barbary Lane in the TV show, in other films and shows. The lane signified heading toward "out-ness," while walls of a small room signified being "in the closet."
She talked about how queer history and literature affected gender binaries and related back to the open and closed architecture symbolism in "Tales of the City."
Before the last segment of her lecture, Villajero showed a clip of "Tales of the City," during which Singleton met Mrs. Madrigal and how she was almost instantly sold on living at Barbary Lane.
The clip displayed the acceptance within the gay community, a rare thing in San Francisco during the '70s, which was before the area became a popular gay neighborhood.
After the lecture finished, the professor held a brief question and answer portion during which a few questions were asked.
"I also thought the answers she gave were pretty straightforward," said Adam Goldsmith, an undeclared freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Villajero discussed in detail the architecture symbolism which was present all through the show, and even constructed unique terms as reference points, such as gatekeepers. Gatekeepers refer to those who monitor who comes and goes within the small community of Barbary Lane.
When the presentation finished, Villajero started an informal social session, during which people could grab some refreshments.
"Tales of the City" was the catalyst for Villajero's lecture, and her ideas and concepts drew attention to the representation of gays in the 1970s.
"I thought it was interesting how she integrated the TV show with the lecture," said Goldsmith. "I had actually seen the show already, but I liked how she explained it."
Villajero discussed how to account for large spatial structures, like Barbary Lane in the TV show, in other films and shows. The lane signified heading toward "out-ness," while walls of a small room signified being "in the closet."
She talked about how queer history and literature affected gender binaries and related back to the open and closed architecture symbolism in "Tales of the City."
Before the last segment of her lecture, Villajero showed a clip of "Tales of the City," during which Singleton met Mrs. Madrigal and how she was almost instantly sold on living at Barbary Lane.
The clip displayed the acceptance within the gay community, a rare thing in San Francisco during the '70s, which was before the area became a popular gay neighborhood.
After the lecture finished, the professor held a brief question and answer portion during which a few questions were asked.
"I also thought the answers she gave were pretty straightforward," said Adam Goldsmith, an undeclared freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Villajero discussed in detail the architecture symbolism which was present all through the show, and even constructed unique terms as reference points, such as gatekeepers. Gatekeepers refer to those who monitor who comes and goes within the small community of Barbary Lane.
When the presentation finished, Villajero started an informal social session, during which people could grab some refreshments.
"Tales of the City" was the catalyst for Villajero's lecture, and her ideas and concepts drew attention to the representation of gays in the 1970s.
"I thought it was interesting how she integrated the TV show with the lecture," said Goldsmith. "I had actually seen the show already, but I liked how she explained it."
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