My Design and Technology class recently watched Manufactured Landscapes, a 2006 documentary exploring the work of industrial photographer Edward Burtynsky. As an avid notetaker, I’m a little ashamed to admit that I did not write a single word during the viewing. It wasn’t out of laziness, nor because Burtynsky’s voice is astoundingly, distractingly similar to that of cult classic sci-fi character Simon Tam. It was because, before the film had even begun, I thought I knew what I would write about.
Then Manufactured Landscapes took an unexpectedly neutral, objective stance on its subject matter, and that threw me off. Is there a place for that in theme park design?
The Hall of Presidents comes to mind. I’ve witnessed its animatronic history of American politics twice, and on both occasions, its neutrality surprised me. It does make sense for such a politically-focused attraction to approach itself from a neutral perspective, but it’s still impressive to see done with such care.
It isn’t objective, though. The Hall of Presidents is unapologetically patriotic, with an idealism that invites guests to view the history of America in a decidedly hopeful manner.
Similarly, Spaceship Earth tells a fairly neutral story about the human-centred world. But, again, there’s no objectivity. Rather than humans did this, humans did that, it encourages guests to look with wide-eyed optimism at the wonder of human achievement.
But the thing is, I don’t want objectivity in theme parks. I want a theme park attraction to make me experience something. I want to look with that wide-eyed optimism. I want it to reach out to my emotions, to provide me with a lens through which to find something new. And, frankly, I feel that the objectivity of Manufactured Landscapes was its downfall.
It was afraid of believing in what it had to say. There was no notion of a story, God forbid it be misinterpreted as making a statement. It wanted me to witness, detached, distant. It didn’t ask me to experience. But I’m human. I want to experience.
Often, people ask why I care about theme parks so much. Why I talk about them like I have some kind of spiritual awakening every time Disney unveils a new dark ride. I know that theme parks don’t matter. I know that my skill as an engineer would better serve humanity if I became a designer of medical equipment or electric vehicles. I know that. I do.
But all I’ve ever felt compelled to do is design experiences.
In the words of late author Amy Krouse Rosenthal, who explains it better than I ever could:
“for anyone trying to discern what to w/ their life: PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT YOU PAY ATTENTION TO. that’s pretty much all the info u need.”
Amy Krouse Rosenthal (2013) via Twitter
I give themed experience design, in all its lack of objectivity, five stars.
Leave a Reply