How old were you when you saw your first cartoon? Do you remember what cartoon it was and how you felt?
Do you still watch cartoons? If you do, what is your favourite and why?
The first cartoon is said to have appeared in 1843 in a magazine called Punch, although the concept originated in the Middle Ages.
How have cartoons then remained relevant over the years? What is it about them that draws us? Do they remind us of our childhoods? Or do the very nature of them unlock a part of us that makes us feel anything is possible, makes us dream?
When I was younger, I watched many cartoons (I still do), a few of them might have influenced some of my life decisions consciously and unconsciously. For example, the cramp twins; as annoying as Wayne Cramp was, his ability to make things from the junkyard struck me. Coop in Megas XLR found a giant robot in the junkyard but constantly upgraded it with scraps from the junkyard before using the same robot to fight aliens and defend the earth. These cartoons made me believe I could make something beautiful from rubbish and take on the World.
Architecture as a Storytelling Tool
Architects often try to convey ideas, principles, and craft through buildings, this has led to numerous Architecture styles. The core of many styles and buildings is a narrative; what do I want this building to say? How do I want the users to experience this space? For example, The Gothic cathedrals want you to feel in the presence of a higher power. The grandness of the structure, the stained glass and the very high ceilings all point to that. The Guggenheim Museum in New York directs your journey throughout the time you are in the space, tells you whatever story it wants to. The Heyda Aliyev Centre in Azerbaijan points to the beginning of a new era of hope and aspiration.
Cartoons as a Storytelling Tool
Cartoons are one of the compelling and expressive storytelling tools. The style and design are optimized to bring out the essence of the characters. It is why live adaptations never capture the same magic as the cartoons.
Cartoons take you to a new dimension, tell you, forget what you think is possible and go on this journey with me. Drop all your restrictions and constraints let us explore a whole new world. They make you feel giddy and connected; you laugh, sing and cry. From crying about a lion’s death to singing Hakuna Matata alongside a lion, warthog, and meerkat, to also breaking down watching Bojack Horseman suffer mental health problems. Cartoons offer a wide range of emotions that are deeply felt and relatable. But what makes them different from regular movies? It is the magic, not magic like in 'The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe' but the magic of imagination, limitlessness, and possibility. When you are already in an unrealistic state then nothing is impossible, you feel truly free and is that not what we all want? To be free?
Googie Architecture
Googie Architecture is an Architectural style popular in the 1950s and 1960s developed in post-World War II Southern California characterized by vibrant colours, myriad materials, cantilevering slabs that almost defied gravity, over-the top signage, daring shapes and futuristic elements reminiscent of space.
Googie Architecture was fun not only because of its unique style but because it could be found anywhere, from airports to fast food shops and petrol stations. They came about in an era where people were obsessed and excited with the future and the idea of space. The style was bold, vibrant and audacious.
Alan Hess, Architect and Historian explained:
“One of the key things about Googie architecture was that it wasn’t custom houses for wealthy people — it was for coffee shops, gas stations, car washes, banks… the average buildings of everyday life that people of that period used and lived in. And it brought that spirit of the modern age to their daily lives.”
The Jetsons was inspired by this style that surrounded them in Southern California, so much that you could say Hanna-Barbera did not exaggerate the style-they merely copied it. Googie Architecture is important because it represents a time where people were optimistic, daring and exciting. Driving through Southern California in the 60s felt like the long-promised future of benevolent technology and prosperity that we had all been waiting for had finally arrived. Googie Architecture was everywhere and it was here to stay… so it seemed. Googie at its most is flamboyant, cartoonish and hopeful.
Grow Up Will You?
However, when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, the curiosity and excitement about space waned so did the style. The style fading coincided with the rise of the ecological movement. A move from experimental styles to more lower-scale, residential, traditional Architecture.
While Architecture is getting more grounded and functional, I hope we do not forget to make people feel excited, hopeful, and childlike because if Architecture does not make you dream, what is the point?