Foucault’s Heterotopias

Don’t be intimidated, this essay by Michel Foucault is an easy read and highly relevant to the theme of Re-conceptualizing Space.

Today begins my stint as Eyebeam’s guest reblogger for a two week cycle. You will see a breif study of common points along a number of disciplines including art interventions, astrophysics and virtual worlds, among others. I will examine how “space” itself has changed in the last 10 years.

Foucault coins the term “heterotopia” as a real place, which acts as a practical utopia and serve as a site to represent and invert the culture it surrounds. I’m particularly enamored of the forth principle: the linkage to time-slices. Cited examples include the cemetery, the boat and the brothel. Print it out, find a cafe and have a good read. Thanks to my good friend, Paul LaFarge for the suggestion.