مفهوم الغتراب وتأثيره النفسي

Introduction to Alienation in Modern Iraqi Architecture

• Alienation is a characteristic of human existence, with a deep historical root. It signifies the ability to separate oneself from one's human existence (distinct identity, human richness, innovative potential, and the meaning of one's existence).
• Alienation is the feeling of disconnection from oneself, society, the objective world, or God. It can manifest in various psychological and physical issues, including anxiety, identity loss, personality disorders, feelings of helplessness, meaninglessness, indifference, distrust, and objectification. Life can seem inhuman, senseless, leading to existential emptiness and boredom. It can also be a feeling of detachment from societal values and norms, or a withdrawal from society, leading to psychological or social isolation.
• The presence of past heritage (tradition) in architecture is crucial. Architecture embodies societal values and conventions. It's a key aspect of a society's understanding and feeling toward its heritage, due to its significant impact and connection to human life. Architecture represents a fundamental element that can endure through time and resist distortion. It is a constant source of inspiration for architects, benefiting from accumulated knowledge and experience resulting from the interaction between environmental and climatic factors and human experience.

Alienation in Modern Iraqi Architecture

• Alienation in Iraqi architecture is evident in the unusual nature of architectural products. This is often due to divergences from Iraqi environmental or temporal contexts. Products are unusual as they deviate from the Iraqi architectural system.
• Globalization and the dominance of technology have contributed significantly to this phenomenon. The strong influence of technology and global economic forces creates a notable issue associated with the unfamiliarity or irrationality of architecture's form and design. This strangeness relates to what is alien to natural or traditional constants. Alienation could occur due to a lack of intimacy of the built environment.
• Architecture is a reflection of society, culture, and identity. The lack of these elements, particularly symbolic elements and meanings associated with cultural identity, can result in a loss of social vitality and the ability to engage in a civilizational exchange. This loss of connection leads to alienation.
• Two dimensions of alienation are discussed:
  • Implicit dimension: a philosophical aspect of alienation—seperation from oneself. This also includes the loss of belonging and stability in a place or society, including shared values, customs, tradition, and cultural heritage (both tangible and intangible).
  • Explicit dimension: the primary meaning of alienation is the disconnect from societal values and the corresponding loss of social connection.

Types of Alienation

• Three major forms of alienation are: spatial, social, and personal (psychological).
  • Spatial alienation: loss of connection between the individual and the location due to architectural dysfunction and disorganization—lack of cohesion and inability to address human needs. This results in a spiritual and then material disconnect from the environment

Modernism and Architecture

• Modernist proponents often advocated for rejecting and suppressing traditional architectural history and heritage. This often involved creating a separation between the past (excluded) and the present (reflecting scientific facts). They considered previous styles as outdated and believed in the necessity of new, contemporary values.
• Rejection of historical continuity in favor of a complete disruption; modernism sees each era generating new values, thus requiring the dismissal of anything that contradicts them.
• Architectural alienation arises from distortions in the original characteristics of buildings or from additions that damage the urban or architectural landscape, which could diminish the beauty of a building's facade (if it was originally beautiful) or develop through the use of additions to original construction materials. Moreover, the excessive use of ornamentation in design compromises creativity and simplicity.
• Overuse of natural or artificial stones for facades, or using many colors that don't harmonize with each other or surrounding buildings, create architectural alienation. This process begins with the juxtaposition of contradictory architectural styles and is manifested through a visual disturbance caused by numerous different images and forms.

Temporal-Spatial Continuity in Architecture

• Temporal-spatial continuity refers to a balance between contemporary needs and the need to engage with the past. It's about creating a historical continuity between the old and the new, often signifying cultural continuity.

• Crucial for architectural identity and uniqueness. Connection to heritage is essential for passing culture from generation to generation. Lack of continuity signifies direction and meaning loss and, consequently, architectural identity issues and alienation.

• Architects who disregard connections to the local built environment, natural and cultural forces, will separate themselves from society and its values.

• Time and alienation in modern architecture represent a disconnected past. The overuse of non-contextual architectural elements and the neglect of historically significant components can lead to the increased alienation in architecture.

Understanding Time in Architecture

• Time (past, present, and future) is crucial for understanding the relationship between events. Time is broken down by critics to three critical states: past (no longer exists); future (not yet). The present is the moment now, but perpetually changing and constantly transitioning from past to future. Time reveals itself by integrating the past and the future into the present. New ideas don't arise independent of the past—they build on past understanding.

Architectural Levels of Communication

• Communication arises through:
  • Style continuity
  • Pattern continuity

Architectural Elements and Visual Impact

• Architectural elements have a visual impact, representing the building's essence. These aspects reveal the building's characteristics and function.
• Key elements impacting architectural perception include architectural form, materials, and colors.

Iraqi Architectural Form and Characteristics

• Form is the visible appearance, comprising relationships inherent to elements and characteristics.
• Traditional Iraqi architectural aesthetics differ significantly from Western designs. This difference results from a variety of factors (environment, climate, social/economic context, history, and traditional values). These factors directly shape the architect's mindset to express Iraqi architectural design.
• Characteristics of traditional Iraqi architecture often include: human needs, harmony with local environmental factors (topography and geography), the integration of design elements with structure, material selection, and inherent details (e.g., arches, columns, towers, color, texture, ornamentation, interior courtyards, and more). The specific characteristics of Iraqi architecture stem from various socio-economic, religious, climatic, and regionally sourced building materials. This regional building style is very representative of its culture.

Importance of Local Building Materials

• Local materials (especially mud bricks) are significant for traditional Iraqi architecture. They reflect historical use and architectural value.
• Appropriateness to local climate.
• Aesthetic and technical capabilities.

Factors Influencing Modern Iraqi Architecture

• Climate: e.g., employing openings and screens, reducing solar radiation and heat gain.
• Expressive factor: Using traditional techniques for decorative elements.
• Renovation: Repainting facades with different colors, using aluminum sheets to disguise defects, or changing facade designs; repairing or concealing infrastructure such as post-2003 generators.
• Economic pressures.

Positive and Negative Effects on Modern Iraqi Architecture

• Changes and additions to modern Iraqi architecture can have both positive and negative impacts.
• Positive: promoting local architectural identity, showcasing modern Iraqi architectural values
• Negative: loss of traditional artistic characteristics, disrupting the harmonious aspect of the local architectural landscape, the introduction of extraneous architectural forms, or the contrast with local customs.