The goal of this thesis is to examine the way in which economics shape suburban Famous Players megaplexes in Montreal and how they abet a destruction of urban community. I use Jameson and the critique of the Situationiste International to demonstrate the value, in this case, of examining the relationship between the economic and community. Jameson aptly describes an economic disorientation and identity crisis created by postmodern capitalism. The SI brings to light a loss of enchantment resulting from mass produced products and spaces. I describe the way in which the symbolism, architecture, and aesthetics of the megaplex are a direct result of the space's capitalist needs and form a place that is alienated, in every sense, to locality. Sorkin and Auge serve to further illustrate the way in which postmodern spaces are rootless non-places and risk destroying vital aspects of locality. I will also explore, using Buck-Morss and Eagleton, how the bonds of the megaplex non-place community are maintained through the sensual pleasure of virtual entertainment. I will argue that this entertainment and space, dislocated from community, abets a slow deterioration of identity with relation to place.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.79748 |
| Date | January 2002 |
| Creators | Braun, Lori |
| Contributors | Straw, Will (advisor) |
| Publisher | McGill University |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Coverage | Master of Arts (Department of Art History and Communication Studies.) |
| Rights | All items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. |
| Relation | alephsysno: 001985509, proquestno: AAIMQ88622, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest. |
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