For this assignment, I chose a location to perform a close reading on, took photos of the space, analyzed it, then produced a thesis on my perspective of the space's entirety. I enjoyed the liberality of this project because the class was allowed to go beyond the classroom but unfortunately, the written portion was a bit more difficult than I had anticipated. Analyzing a space goes far past description and observation, yet this was complicated to grasp. Analyzing means to really break down the space by searching for larger meanings and implications in the area and questioning its ultimate purpose as a location. For my location, I chose to analyze Old Main.
Built in the late 1800's, Old Main stands proud as the University's original classrooms. Now used for administration purposes, Old Main is still considered the heart and center of our campus. Its location is strategically placed right in the middle of the University and is the first building visitors encounter upon entrance from the main gates. Throughout the daytime, the outside is a space for fellowship among students and teachers where they can relax and enjoy the charming landscape in between classes. People can come together to share their common interests or activities, and take pleasure in their kinship. On the lawn, we see students lounging on the green grass and a pair participating in a game of Frisbee. There are also students shown riding their bikes and jogging around the premises. The majestic fountain gracefully casts out water while students sit aside it to laze. Through this photo, we can assume Old Main shares active and recreational purposes. There is a significance to these outdoor games; it is a place where bonds are made and relationships strengthen, enabling the Wildcat community to grow.
Daytime Old Main paints a perception that is a joyous and lively place, but what actually happens behind those white wooden doors after hours? After dark, our school's centerpiece takes on a whole new aura of mystery and fright. I chose to analyze this space because the actual structure stands out compared to the other modern buildings on campus. find in peculiar that with light, Old Main is a classic structure, appearing ultimately timeless with its large white shudders and railing mounted on the sturdy red brick. At night, for no definite reason, students stray from the area and seek out a space with better lighting, transforming into an old abandoned lot. For this reason, I believe Old Main has a split personality: during the day, it is a place of life and activity but at night, our oldest building is a spooky deserted edifice.
Here we see this photo of Old Main taken at around eleven o'clock at night. There is a tree blocking part of our view of the building, but I think the photographer (Kevin) did this purposely to give off a creepier effect for the audience. The multiple floors, wrap-around balcony, and overall style of the structure exposes the age it was constructed and the lights from above the old-fashioned windows give off an eerie yellow glow. While students and teachers are tucked safe away in their beds, not a soul walks the lawn or beneath the main or upper deck. At this point, Old Main appears ultimately deserted, showing no sign of inhabitants. Upon first impression, many would assume that this is a photo taken of an old abandoned or haunted house filled with ghosts and leaking paranormal activity. The photo we see here and the first photo posted are taken from the same side of the structure. Stereotypically, haunted houses have three stories with floors that grow smaller from the foundation up, lanterns that emit spectral lighting, and various types of foliage that conceal the activity occurring within. From what I see in this photo, Old Main definitely fits the description. At this point, I can imply that Old Main takes on a bit of a "werewolf effect". During light hours, it is a charming space where students casually stroll in to see their counselors, but at night, it is a spooky building waiting to envelop the trespassers who venture in after hours.
This is a photo taken during an early cool morning around eight o’clock, and as you can see, Old Main has changed back into its welcoming state. The grass is still freshly wet from morning's dew and the fountain cheerfully shoots water. Cars and shuttles hustle around the loop-around dropping off students and teachers to start their day; not much has changed considering this routine is decades old. Since the doors were first opened in 1885, peers have arrived at Old Main to begin their work as scholars and engage in their studies. It is the UA’s first establishment and we are more than proud to see our heritage still standing today.
This photo was taken a little past five o'clock around sunset. I did this intentionally to capture Old Main mid-transformation from sunlight to sundown. Here we see the aging upper deck still somewhat sunny with a few shadows cast on the brick walls. The pale green bench offers a welcoming appeal to sit and appreciate the scenery. Cactus and other various desert plants grow tall and stand against the white railing. Peering into windows, we can see administrators and counselors in their offices working diligently trying to wrap up their day. This photo of the second floor appears harmless, but at night, one might think different.
After dark, I took initiative and ventured up on to the second floor in hopes to get more material to write about. Wandering cautiously along the deck, I heard the sorry cries of the decrepit boards beneath me, but nothing else. I went on exploring, peering into windows and pressing my head against doors, but I saw and heard nothing. I began to feel as if someone was watching me, then psyched myself out, and fled.
Later, I was curious to see whether or not the UA had its hauntings and after some research, I discovered that Old Main does in fact have its own ghost. His name is Carlos Maldenado and came to Tucson in the summer of 1868. He was a famous Sonoran businessman who was partly responsible for the construction of Old Main. Unfortunately, he did not live to see the finished product of his work for he was found murdered on the second floor. There have been countless sightings of Señor Maldenado dating back to the 1940's. Reports describe a man hovering overhead or lounging in doorways then completely vanishing. This is one of the many ghost stories of Old Main proving our first classrooms may be subjected to metaphysical hauntings. Perhaps those eyes I felt on the second story did in fact belong to Maldenado.
This is a photo taken during an early cool morning around eight o’clock, and as you can see, Old Main has changed back into its welcoming state. The grass is still freshly wet from morning's dew and the fountain cheerfully shoots water. Cars and shuttles hustle around the loop-around dropping off students and teachers to start their day; not much has changed considering this routine is decades old. Since the doors were first opened in 1885, peers have arrived at Old Main to begin their work as scholars and engage in their studies. It is the UA’s first establishment and we are more than proud to see our heritage still standing today.
As a Wildcat, we see Old Main as a symbol of nostalgia that we like to advertise. Oddly enough, this yearning for the past ties back to the spooky rumors and ghost stories we students like to concoct and spread. Humans like to spook themselves because they find it thrilling, yet fascinating. Subconsciously, we use folklore and urban legends as a tactic to connect to our past through Old Main. Despite the scares and eeriness it expels at night, come sunrise, it returns to be the beating heart of our campus. Old Main fulfills its foundation purposes reinforcing rules, providing academic support, and most importantly, developing relationships between students, teachers, and administrators.
