In Saudi Arabia two massive and costly coastal land reclamations and developments were undertaken in the 1980s to define the borders of the expansion of two main coastal cities towards the sea. The first was started in the city of Jeddah on the Red Sea, and the second was started in the Dammam metropolitan area on the Arabian Gulf, to the west and the east of Saudi Arabia respectively. Two coastal roads were constructed on the shoreline of these two cities. ... Taking the case of the recreational sea front of the city of Dammam, and set against the background of the nature and history of recreational activity in Saudi Arabia, this study investigates the part played by the socio-cultural background of the local users of the sea front, and its effect on their picnicking behaviour there, in order to assist in providing appropriate information for landscape architects and other decision makers involved in the planning and design of outdoor leisure facilities in Saudi Arabia. ... The development of suitable recreational sea fronts, then, depends not only on the technical expertise of landscape architects, but also on a proper understanding of the role played by socio-cultural factors in the requirements of the users. Steps should be taken, both in the training of landscape architects and in the monitoring of plans for leisure areas, which will enable them to develop facilities which will be appropriate to the needs, aspirations, and values of their primary users, the local people. The potential for further study in this area exists. A quantitative approach could help establish more exact data about the preferences of local users of recreational facilities, and thus more precise criteria for their design. This would also help in site management. And the possibility exists for research into the impact of sea front developments on natural resources and ecology

Historiography is the writing of history based on the examination of sources and synthesizing these sources into a narrative that will stand the test of critical methods. Historiography is not the study of history but rather provides a tool to analyze each written account of a historical event. The concepts of historiography are traditionally reserved for the study of factual based history and not for fictional events or people. However, just as history seems to evolve over time, authors also revise their fiction work. If history is adapted and changed over time to fulfill the historian’s desires, can fictional works also be adapted to better fulfill the author’s intentions through the process of rewrites? Historiography allows us to understand that history is adapted and changed over time. Can the ideas of historiography be applied to fictional stories in order to understand why an author rewrites and revisits older works? How can a theatre practitioner understand and develop the most comprehensive version of a fictional text? Can he apply the same techniques used to deconstruct a historical event? Through a case study using William Inge’s classic play Picnic I explored the possibility of using historiography as a tool for theater practitioners in developing new dramatic texts that synthesize various scripts into one new comprehensive text. Through this case study I developed a framework which allows the theatre practitioner to apply the ideas of historiography to the analysis of a collection of fictional works by the same author in order to create a new text, showcasing the effectiveness of applying four cruxes of historiography to fictional texts.

Solar panels are used in many different applications for generating sustainable energy. Many countries use solar power as a power generation method. It is also, an excellent option for getting power to difficult areas. There are three main systems used when generating solar power: grid-tied, battery banked, and direct driven systems. Most systems use a combination of grid-tied and battery banked so any unused power can be fed back into the main grid for compensation. The solar power application suggested in this thesis will provide USB power to a picnic table enabling students to charge cellphones and other small devices while at the table. The solar panel will be mounted on the top of the picnic table or on a canopy as shading for the table. These locations along with the power generation systems were researched and tested to find the best option.

Peter Weir is one of Australia’s most critically acclaimed and commercially successful directors. Ever since Weirs feature film debut with The Cars that Ate Paris in 1974, his work has been explored for unifying themes. Scholars have analysed his films from many perspectives: the establishment of identification and identity especially through binary oppositions in the diegesis; the creation of an oneiric atmosphere as a way of exploiting the spectators dream experience; a clash of value systems; the ambiguous nature of narrative structure and character motivations leading to the creation of a sense of wonder; the experience of the protagonist placed in a foreign culture wherein conflict arises from social clashes and personal misunderstandings; and at the particular ways his films adapt generic codes in service of a discernible ideological agenda. . To the best of my knowledge there has been no study of the mystical element of Weirs work in relation to the construction of a cinematic mystical gaze or act of spectatorship. / Within a culture defined by its secularity and a national cinema marked by quirky comedies and social realism, almost all of Weirs films have been described as mystical, arcane or interested in metaphysics. Such an observation could warrant no further investigation if it is held that this critical commentary is but hyperbole in its attempt to grasp what constitutes a Peter Weir film. If, however, language constructs meaning, then the recurrence of references to Weirs mysticism needs to be taken seriously to see what effect this might have exerted on the nature and structure of the Weir text. I will argue that the major consequence of Weirs fascination with the mystical has been the construction of a mystical mode of spectatorship. Furthermore, because other directors and films have been described in similar ways this study opens up a discussion about whether these observations about the mystical qualities in the viewing experience hold importance for other filmmakers, and theories of the gaze in the cinema.

A presente pesquisa tem como objeto de estudo a produção artística intitulada Convescotes, série de foto-eventos realizados em espaços ao ar livre, tendo a fotografia como seu modo de apresentação. Assim, a série de fotografias envolve a proposição de eventos comensais para ter como retorno uma imagem desse espaço de tempo compartilhado. Para tal feita, a pintura de Claude Monet Le déjeuner sur l´herbe apresenta-se como a grande referência e como o ponto de partida para tais situações serem construídas. Com o intento de construir uma reflexão acerca do processo de trabalho Convescotes, assumiuse o formato de fascículos para o texto que figura a presente tese, sendo a mesma organizada em três partes. A formatação em três fascículos independentes possibilita a sua leitura encadeada assim como também oferece lugar para leituras cruzadas, as quais apresentam as dimensões do processo de trabalho Convescotes. O primeiro fascículo apresenta as imagens que fundamentaram a pesquisa, tanto no âmbito de elaboração dos Convescotes quanto no das reflexões teóricas suscitadas por eles. Na arquitetura textual do segundo fascículo tomei partido do formato epistolar, através do envio de seis cartas a companheiros que me ajudaram a pensar os elementos que compõem os Convescotes. Para Claude Monet foram enviadas cartas que dialogam com os elementos formadores do processo, como o piquenique, a amizade e os espaços ao ar livre. Com Roland Barthes, a escrita investigou a fotografia e o modo como ela habita meu processo, estendendo-se aos projetos de uma série de outros artistas. Já no terceiro fascículo esta pesquisa apresenta uma abertura teórica para as questões disparadas nas cartas escritas para Monet e para Barthes, sendo a mesma mediada por outros pensadores e artistas. As cartas e as notas se relacionam por meio de uma espécie de correspondência numérica; a primeira desenvolve-se por meio de uma conversa mais informal e a segunda constitui-se de uma reflexão apoiada em outros pensadores, sejam eles da imagem ou dos conceitos. / This study has as its object the artistic production called Picnics, a series of photo events outdoors, which have photography as their form of presentation. Thus, the series of photos involves the proposal of eating events to have as a return a photo of this shared time frame. In order to achieve that, Claude Monet’s painting Le dejeuner sur l’herbe presentes itself as the major reference and the point of departure for the eating events to take place. Aiming at reflecting on the Picnics work process, we turned to the fascicle format for this dissertation, which is divided into three parts. The format of three independent fascicles makes a sequenced reading possible. It also provides room for crossed readings, which demonstrate the dimensions of the Picnics work process. The first fascicle introduces the images that support the study regarding the elaboration of the Picnics as well as the theoretical considerations that emerge from them. In the textual architecture of the second fascicle, I made the choice for the epistolar format, based on the letters sent to peers, which have helped me think about the elements that constitute the Picnics. To Claude Monet, letters that dialogue with the constituting elements of the process, such as the picnic, the friendship, and the outdoors, were sent. As for Roland Barthes, the study investigated photography and the way it is part of my artistic process, and extended itself to the projects of a series of other artists. In the third fascicle, this research study presentes a theoretical opening to the issues found in the letters written to Monet and Barthes, mediated by other intellectuals and artists. The letters and the notes are related through a numeric correspondence, in which the former unfolds as a more informal conversation and the latter constitutes a reflection based upon other intellectuals, whether their objects be images or concepts.

A presente pesquisa tem como objeto de estudo a produção artística intitulada Convescotes, série de foto-eventos realizados em espaços ao ar livre, tendo a fotografia como seu modo de apresentação. Assim, a série de fotografias envolve a proposição de eventos comensais para ter como retorno uma imagem desse espaço de tempo compartilhado. Para tal feita, a pintura de Claude Monet Le déjeuner sur l´herbe apresenta-se como a grande referência e como o ponto de partida para tais situações serem construídas. Com o intento de construir uma reflexão acerca do processo de trabalho Convescotes, assumiuse o formato de fascículos para o texto que figura a presente tese, sendo a mesma organizada em três partes. A formatação em três fascículos independentes possibilita a sua leitura encadeada assim como também oferece lugar para leituras cruzadas, as quais apresentam as dimensões do processo de trabalho Convescotes. O primeiro fascículo apresenta as imagens que fundamentaram a pesquisa, tanto no âmbito de elaboração dos Convescotes quanto no das reflexões teóricas suscitadas por eles. Na arquitetura textual do segundo fascículo tomei partido do formato epistolar, através do envio de seis cartas a companheiros que me ajudaram a pensar os elementos que compõem os Convescotes. Para Claude Monet foram enviadas cartas que dialogam com os elementos formadores do processo, como o piquenique, a amizade e os espaços ao ar livre. Com Roland Barthes, a escrita investigou a fotografia e o modo como ela habita meu processo, estendendo-se aos projetos de uma série de outros artistas. Já no terceiro fascículo esta pesquisa apresenta uma abertura teórica para as questões disparadas nas cartas escritas para Monet e para Barthes, sendo a mesma mediada por outros pensadores e artistas. As cartas e as notas se relacionam por meio de uma espécie de correspondência numérica; a primeira desenvolve-se por meio de uma conversa mais informal e a segunda constitui-se de uma reflexão apoiada em outros pensadores, sejam eles da imagem ou dos conceitos. / This study has as its object the artistic production called Picnics, a series of photo events outdoors, which have photography as their form of presentation. Thus, the series of photos involves the proposal of eating events to have as a return a photo of this shared time frame. In order to achieve that, Claude Monet’s painting Le dejeuner sur l’herbe presentes itself as the major reference and the point of departure for the eating events to take place. Aiming at reflecting on the Picnics work process, we turned to the fascicle format for this dissertation, which is divided into three parts. The format of three independent fascicles makes a sequenced reading possible. It also provides room for crossed readings, which demonstrate the dimensions of the Picnics work process. The first fascicle introduces the images that support the study regarding the elaboration of the Picnics as well as the theoretical considerations that emerge from them. In the textual architecture of the second fascicle, I made the choice for the epistolar format, based on the letters sent to peers, which have helped me think about the elements that constitute the Picnics. To Claude Monet, letters that dialogue with the constituting elements of the process, such as the picnic, the friendship, and the outdoors, were sent. As for Roland Barthes, the study investigated photography and the way it is part of my artistic process, and extended itself to the projects of a series of other artists. In the third fascicle, this research study presentes a theoretical opening to the issues found in the letters written to Monet and Barthes, mediated by other intellectuals and artists. The letters and the notes are related through a numeric correspondence, in which the former unfolds as a more informal conversation and the latter constitutes a reflection based upon other intellectuals, whether their objects be images or concepts.

A presente pesquisa tem como objeto de estudo a produção artística intitulada Convescotes, série de foto-eventos realizados em espaços ao ar livre, tendo a fotografia como seu modo de apresentação. Assim, a série de fotografias envolve a proposição de eventos comensais para ter como retorno uma imagem desse espaço de tempo compartilhado. Para tal feita, a pintura de Claude Monet Le déjeuner sur l´herbe apresenta-se como a grande referência e como o ponto de partida para tais situações serem construídas. Com o intento de construir uma reflexão acerca do processo de trabalho Convescotes, assumiuse o formato de fascículos para o texto que figura a presente tese, sendo a mesma organizada em três partes. A formatação em três fascículos independentes possibilita a sua leitura encadeada assim como também oferece lugar para leituras cruzadas, as quais apresentam as dimensões do processo de trabalho Convescotes. O primeiro fascículo apresenta as imagens que fundamentaram a pesquisa, tanto no âmbito de elaboração dos Convescotes quanto no das reflexões teóricas suscitadas por eles. Na arquitetura textual do segundo fascículo tomei partido do formato epistolar, através do envio de seis cartas a companheiros que me ajudaram a pensar os elementos que compõem os Convescotes. Para Claude Monet foram enviadas cartas que dialogam com os elementos formadores do processo, como o piquenique, a amizade e os espaços ao ar livre. Com Roland Barthes, a escrita investigou a fotografia e o modo como ela habita meu processo, estendendo-se aos projetos de uma série de outros artistas. Já no terceiro fascículo esta pesquisa apresenta uma abertura teórica para as questões disparadas nas cartas escritas para Monet e para Barthes, sendo a mesma mediada por outros pensadores e artistas. As cartas e as notas se relacionam por meio de uma espécie de correspondência numérica; a primeira desenvolve-se por meio de uma conversa mais informal e a segunda constitui-se de uma reflexão apoiada em outros pensadores, sejam eles da imagem ou dos conceitos. / This study has as its object the artistic production called Picnics, a series of photo events outdoors, which have photography as their form of presentation. Thus, the series of photos involves the proposal of eating events to have as a return a photo of this shared time frame. In order to achieve that, Claude Monet’s painting Le dejeuner sur l’herbe presentes itself as the major reference and the point of departure for the eating events to take place. Aiming at reflecting on the Picnics work process, we turned to the fascicle format for this dissertation, which is divided into three parts. The format of three independent fascicles makes a sequenced reading possible. It also provides room for crossed readings, which demonstrate the dimensions of the Picnics work process. The first fascicle introduces the images that support the study regarding the elaboration of the Picnics as well as the theoretical considerations that emerge from them. In the textual architecture of the second fascicle, I made the choice for the epistolar format, based on the letters sent to peers, which have helped me think about the elements that constitute the Picnics. To Claude Monet, letters that dialogue with the constituting elements of the process, such as the picnic, the friendship, and the outdoors, were sent. As for Roland Barthes, the study investigated photography and the way it is part of my artistic process, and extended itself to the projects of a series of other artists. In the third fascicle, this research study presentes a theoretical opening to the issues found in the letters written to Monet and Barthes, mediated by other intellectuals and artists. The letters and the notes are related through a numeric correspondence, in which the former unfolds as a more informal conversation and the latter constitutes a reflection based upon other intellectuals, whether their objects be images or concepts.

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The picnic blanket, as a textile object, is infused with meaning by its colonial history and its inherent use. Its purpose goes beyond providing a soft and dry surface to sit on. By putting down your picnic blanket you can temporarily stake your claim on that piece of land. We might consider the picnic blanket as a private haven in a public space. The cross-over between private and public space is a dynamic environment that is established by continually interacting and adapting. By collaborating with others in a space everyone can gain some ownership of that space. Using the picnic blanket as vehicle for investigation, I explore the boundaries of private and public space. Through linking the history of picnicking with the Sublime and particularly the Female Sublime, I establish its significance and the fact that it provides a gendered space. With the help of Marcuse’s ideas on the ‘natural state’ I define the private sphere as a state of mind. I then look at that notion in relation to public space. The appropriation of public pace as described by De Certeau and the appropriation of mind space as described by Foucault set up a dynamic field by which private space is surrounded. The social navigation of our environment is the constant consideration of willingness to collaborate. It is something we are all part of, some readily, some trying to resist. Returning to Marcuse, I examine ways in which the private mind space can be preserved. It is the notion of innocence, a state of mind from before ‘the fall’, that Marcuse and others indicate as providing a barrier against surplus repression of societal judgement. The question is how to maintain this innocence. My personal investigation of innocence, which is presented in this exegesis through narrative, runs parallel to my practice.

This dissertation deals with how science fiction reflects the shift in cultural paradigms that occurred in the Soviet Union between the 1960s and the 1970s. Interest was displaced from the rational to the irrational, from a scientific-technologically oriented optimism about the future to art, religion, philosophy and metaphysics. Concomitant with this shift in interests was a shift from the future to an elsewhere or, reformulated in exclusively spatial terms, from utopia to heterotopia. The dissertation consists of an analysis of three novels by the Strugatsky brothers (Arkady, 1925-1991 and Boris 1933-2012): Inspector Glebsky’s Puzzle (Otel’ U pogibšego al’pinista, 1970), The Kid (Malyš, 1971) and Roadside Picnic (Piknik na obočine, 1972) and two films Dead Mountaineer’s Hotel (Hukkunud alpinisti hotell/ Otel’ U pogibšego al’pinista, Kromanov, 1979) and Stalker (Tarkovsky, 1980).  The three novels, allegedly treatments of the theme of contact with an extraterrestrial intelligence, were intended to be published in one volume with the title Unexpected Encounters. The films are based on two of the novels. In the novels an earlier Marxist utopia has given way to a considerably more ambiguous heterotopia, largely envisioned as versions of the West. An indication of how the authors here seem to look back towards history rather than forward towards the future is to be found in the persistent strain of literary Gothic that runs through the novels. This particular trait resurfaces in the films as well.  The films reflect how tendencies only discernable in the novels have developed throughout the decade, such as the budding Soviet consumer culture and the religious sensibilities of the artistic community.