School of Visual Arts Fall 2009
Grant Gold CONTROL
Copyright Š2009 Grant Gold Published by GR_GO Press Printed and bound in the United States Edited & Designed by Grant Gold Grant Gold is a New York based designer and publisher. He is also a founder of control.grantagold.com, a website documenting his research on the concept of control and its effect on the decision-making-process. CONTROL is a documentation book of Grant Gold’s research, thought and design process at School of Visual Arts, September 2nd to October 20th, 2009. This book is also available for viewing online at control.grantagold.com
CONTROL
Contents
5 Introduction defining control experiencing control project explanation how to use the book 15 Photo Documentation 47 Environmental Information environmental denotation 139 Physical Control Ratings 199 Social Control Ratings 259 Control Graphs 273 Conclusion 277 Index
7
CONTROL Introduction
CONTROL
8
Defining Control 001
Control is an inestimable factor in influencing (either physically or mentally) a person’s behavior or movement in their environment. It is a blanket term used to describe the innumerable elements of the world which play a crucial role, though maybe unnoticed, in affecting one’s actions. Any object or social restraint preventing you from doing any one thing is controlling you; though in varying degrees. The rain is preventing you from walking comfortably down the street, your clothes are controlling your ability to move freely, in-turn your clothes are preventing the weather from having a high level of control over you. Social understandings of sanitation prevent you from picking your nose in public, from talking loudly in a quiet room, or from passing the sink on your way out of the bathroom. No single entity can be in complete control, therefore control varies in degrees. For instance, a basketball player has control over a bouncing basketball, he angles his hands and changes the force he exerts on the ball to change direction, speed, and movement. However, he does not have total control of the ball, there are many more factors involved such as gravity, temperature, wind, ground traction, the ball’s density, humidity, etc. Each of these factors also control each other in some way. The definition for control is ever-expanding and it is an important part of every person’s life to understand how it affects them.
9
Experiencing Control 002
We constantly experience control, it is a part of our every environment and situation, yet we do not consciously pay attention to it. Without having to take note of it, our subconscious has, throughout our lives, catalogued our experiences in different environments, and through repetition has made records of how we feel in each one. In a new environment our subconscious determines, based on these records, how we should feel and what we can and cannot do while limited by physical and social constraints. This survival mechanism helps our mind understand the factors that control us in any given environment and simplifies our process of analyzing these factors. Everyone experiences control in varying degrees and it is the difference between these varying degrees which help us to differentiate environments and govern our behavior in them.
10
CONTROL
11
Project Explanation 003
My research and documentation was begun to identify the basic factors of control and to evaluate their level of control over me; determining in my consciousness what my subconscious normally does on it’s own. To realize for myself why and what I feel controlled by, whether it is a barrier such as tight walking space and close walls, or self-awareness when a person stares at me. The documentation follows a form designed for the purpose of rating my environment’s control over me and the many factors that played a part in it’s control. Each environment was carefully analyzed and documented to gather ratings and information on how each factor controlled me, whether it was difficult to notice that control, and why it was controlling.
CONTROL
12
How to Use the Book 004
This book works as a reference guide for the documentation of my environment’s control over my behavior and movement in 57 different situations. All numbers inside the reference guide (such as: 004, 005, etc.) correspond with each other and match a single environment. All of the information documented has been divided up into sections that explain a different part of the documentation. PHO Photos A photo was taken of each environment and used to give readers a visual snap-shot understanding of the location and surroundings. ENV Environmental Information PART 1: Where each location is documented in strictly factual terms of time, place, weather conditions, and placement in environment. PART 2: A section of denotation where each location is described with events, opinions and thoughts. PHY Physical Ratings Each location’s environment was evaluated on a physical rating chart based on 13 factors that could possibly control me. SOC Social Ratings Each location’s environment was also evaluated on a social rating chart based on another 13 factors that could possibly control me. GRA Control Graphs A 1-minute control rating in which the environment was evaluated for a single minute and rated based on real-time consideration. Marks above the bar signify my feeling in control, while marks below the bar show my feeling of the environment’s control over my behavior and movement. The control ratings (in the physical and social sections) are based on a 0-10 scale, 0 meaning the factor had no foreseeable control and 10 meaning the factor had significant control over me. Pressure was a rating based on how heavily I felt individual factors influenced the overall control of the environment. The influential elements such as position and time are rated on a similar scale showing how much of an influence either one had over any specific factor.
13
14
CONTROL
Rating System
Moving vehicles were clearly the most dominating control over this environment. The vehicles limited my walking space and controlled my movement in other directions. But this factor was heavily influenced by time because depending on the time of day there may be less or more traffic. No alcohol influence. Sound may have had a more controlling advantage if it had not been for the distracting control of the vehicles. Weather’s control is higher than its pressure because it definitely affected my comfort, but it was less noticed because of other factors such as light and barriers.
15
17
CONTROL Photo Documentation
18
CONTROL
001
002
SOC
PHY
004
GRA
ENV
PHO
19
003
20
CONTROL
005
006
SOC
PHY
008
GRA
ENV
PHO
21
007
22
CONTROL
009
010
SOC
PHY
012
GRA
ENV
PHO
23
011
24
CONTROL
013
014
SOC
PHY
016
GRA
ENV
PHO
25
015
26
CONTROL
017
018
SOC
PHY
020
GRA
ENV
PHO
27
019
28
CONTROL
021
022
SOC
PHY
024
GRA
ENV
PHO
29
023
30
CONTROL
025
026
SOC
PHY
028
GRA
ENV
PHO
31
027
32
CONTROL
029
030
SOC
PHY
032
GRA
ENV
PHO
33
031
34
CONTROL
033
034
SOC
PHY
036
GRA
ENV
PHO
35
035
36
CONTROL
037
038
SOC
PHY
040
GRA
ENV
PHO
37
039
38
CONTROL
041
042
SOC
PHY
044
GRA
ENV
PHO
39
043
40
CONTROL
045
046
SOC
PHY
048
GRA
ENV
PHO
41
047
42
CONTROL
049
050
SOC
PHY
052
GRA
ENV
PHO
43
051
44
CONTROL
053
054
SOC
PHY
056
GRA
ENV
PHO
45
055
46
CONTROL
057
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
47
49
CONTROL Environment
50
CONTROL
001
001
0918 09
1046
X
X X X Brooklyn
002
Havemeyer st. btw. S 2nd & S 3rd - Williamsburg
002
G
O
0918 09
112 5
X
X X X Brooklyn
Havemeyer & Grand St. - Atlas Cafe G
I
51
003
X Brooklyn
004
Roebling St. & N 10th - Williamsburg
004
G
O
0918 09
014 5 X
X
X X X
Brooklyn
McCarren Park (East/Track) - Greenpoint F
O
PHO
X
ENV
X
PHY
X
1210 X
SOC
0918 09
GRA
003
52
CONTROL
005
005
091909 X
1112
X
X X X
Brooklyn
006
McCarren Park (West/fields) - Greenpoint
006
G
O
091909
1238 X
X X X Brooklyn
Metropolitan Ave. Near BQE G
O
53
007
Brooklyn
008
Bedford Ave. Station L Train
008
B
I
091909
0147 X
X
X X X
Manhattan
Blue 9 Burger - 3rd Ave. & 12th st. F
I
X
ENV
X
PHY
X
PHO
0120 X
SOC
091909
GRA
007
54
CONTROL
009
009
092009
113 0
X
X X X Manhattan
Madison Square Park 23rd St. 5th Ave. F
010
010
O
092009
1222 X
X X X Manhattan
LES - Empty dock F
I/O
55
011
X
X X
G
012
012
O
092009 X
0 417 X
X X X
Brooklyn
My Apartment Southside Williamsburg F
I
ENV
East River Docks
PHY
Queens
X
PHO
0204X
SOC
092009
GRA
0 11
56
CONTROL
013
013
09 2109
114 5
X
X
X X X
Brooklyn
S 5th Under Williamsburg Bridge G
014
014
O
09 2109
1220 X
X X X Brooklyn
Broadway & Bedford Ave. Middle of Street G
O
57
015
X
X X
F
016
016
ENV
Driggs Ave. Dog Park O
09 2109
PHY
Brooklyn
X
0136 X
X
X X X
Brooklyn
West & Noble St. Greenpoint - Vacant Building B
PHO
1253 X
I/O
SOC
09 2109
GRA
015
58
CONTROL
017
017
092209
1117
X
X X X Brooklyn
Construction new building on S 3rd st. G
018
018
O
092209
115 3
X
X X X Brooklyn
S 3rd st between Havemeyer & BQE G
O
59
019
1219 X PHO
X X
020
020
G
O
092209
0105 X
X
X X X
Brooklyn
ENV
Above BQE South
PHY
Brooklyn
X
Playground on Marcy Ave. F
O
SOC
092209
GRA
019
60
CONTROL
021
021
092309
1229 X
X X X Brooklyn
022
Kent Ave. Domino Sugar Refinery
022
F
O
092309
0 113 X
X
X X X
Brooklyn
Grand St. Park - Kent Ave. G
O
61
023
092309
0527 X
024
209 E 23rd St Room 210 - Gramercy
024
G
I
092309
0752 X
X X X Manhattan
209 E 23rd St Room 210 - Gramercy G
I
ENV
Manhattan
PHY
X
SOC
X
PHO
X
GRA
023
62
CONTROL
025
025
092409
1248
X
X X X Manhattan
026
Heather’s Bar E 13th Btw. Ave A & B
026
F
I
092409
112 0
X
X
X X X
Brooklyn
Bushwick Ave. & Seigel St. - Bike Ride G
O
63
027
X Brooklyn
028
Bogart & Seigel St - Friends’ Apartment
028
G
I
0924 09
0147 X
X
X X
X Brooklyn
General Barber Shop - Bedford Ave. & N 9th D
I
X
ENV
X
PHO
X
PHY
114 3
SOC
0924 09
GRA
027
64
CONTROL
029
029
092509
113 6
X
X X X Brooklyn
030
S 4th St Williamsburg P.O.
030
F
I
092509
0623X
X
X X X
Brooklyn
Broadway & Marcy Ave. Chinese take out F
I
65
031
PHO
X X X
032
032
G
O
092509
1117 X
X X
ENV
Havemeyer St. - Nha T么i Restaurant
PHY
Brooklyn
X
X Brooklyn
Roebling & Grand St - Old apartment B
O
X
1002 X
SOC
092509
GRA
031
66
CONTROL
033
033
092609
115 0 X
X X X Manhattan
034
3rd Ave L Train - In Tracks
034
F
I
092609
0124 X
X X X Manhattan
J Train between Essex & Bowery G
I
67
035
X X X
036
036
G
O
092609
0537X
X X
X X
Manhattan
Union Square G
ENV
Landmark Sunshine Theatre - Houston St
PHY
Manhattan
O
X
PHO
0405X
SOC
092609
GRA
035
68
CONTROL
037
037
092709
0950
X
X X X Brooklyn
038
My Apartment
038
F
I
092709
0913 X
X
X X
X Brooklyn
Bathroom at Bushwick Country Club G
I
69
039
X X
X
040
040
F
I
092709
110 5 X
X X
X
X Brooklyn
Fette Sau - Metropolitan Ave F
ENV
Sweet Virginia - Havemeyer St
PHY
Brooklyn
X
I
PHO
0948X
SOC
092709
GRA
039
70
CONTROL
041
0 41
092809
1215 X
X X X Brooklyn
042
Broadway - Bushwick
042
F
O
092809
114 3 X
X X X Manhattan
Gusto Ristorante - Greenwich Ave G
I
71
043
X
X
X X
044
044
G
O
092909
1226 X
X X X Manhattan
Open Delivery Dock West 15th & 5th Ave G
I
ENV
14th & 9th Ave
PHY
Manhattan
X
PHO
110 9
SOC
092909
GRA
043
72
CONTROL
045
045
092909
0 117 X
X
X X X
Manhattan
046
Union Square Farmer’s Market
046
G
O
093009
0219 X
X
X X X
Brooklyn
Park Slope - 7th Ave G
O
73
047
093009
0240X
X X
048
O
093009
0405X
X X
ENV
G
PHY
048
Grace Methodist Church - Park Slope
X
X Brooklyn
Chase Bank Flatbush Ave - Park Slope F
I
SOC
Brooklyn
PHO
X
GRA
047
74
CONTROL
049
049
100109
1250 X
X X
X
X Queens
050
P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center
050
G
I
100109
0242 X
X X
X
X Brooklyn
Alley behind my apartment building F
O
75
051
X
X X
Manhattan
052
F
I
100209
0918 X
X
X X X
Brooklyn
ENV
Taxi 1st Ave & 14th st
PHY
052
X
Walking off Metropolitan Ave B
PHO
0334X
O
SOC
100109
GRA
051
76
CONTROL
053
053
100209
110 9 X
X X X Brooklyn
054
Walking on Leonard St
054
G
O
100209
115 0 X
X X X Brooklyn
Bushwick Country Club F
I
77
055
1245
X
PHO
X X
056
056
G
I
100309
0254
X X X Brooklyn
Bushwick Country Club F
I
ENV
Bushwick Country Club
X
PHY
Brooklyn
X
SOC
100309
GRA
055
78
CONTROL
057
057
100309
1218 X
X
X X
X Manhattan
Computer Room 23rd st G
I
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
79
Denotation GRANT GOLD
Denotation
Environment 1 Havemeyer St, Brooklyn
Lower than average human traffic, loud construction, low vehicle traffic. Workers cleaning sidewalks, construction barriers and scaffolding. This environment is difficult to analyze because of how many things are happening at once and in different positions. Because this is my first evaluation I think my understanding of each factor is taking more time to analyze. A few details are changing my feeling of control, for instance, this is right outside my building, a place I feel fairly comfortable, but because there are so many things happening that are not normal it affects the control my environment has over me.
83
Denotation
Environment 2 Atlas Cafe, Brooklyn
Sitting in a corner of a local cafe, I’m a regular here so my sense of control is probably affected by that. 50’s-80’s playlist with quiet discussion, laptop-use, and lots of seating. The temperature appears to be slowly rising, possibly altering my ratings as I make my way through the form. Coffee is definitely influencing the change in temperature, it may also be shaping my ability to quickly contradict my immediate rating of any particular factor. This is a very complex environment, partially due to the understood “cafe etiquette,” which is a massive control factor in the social category.
84
Denotation
Environment 3 Roebling St, Brooklyn
Fairly barren territory. New buildings and renovations, empty warehouses, and raw materials. Light human and vehicle traffic. Almost no feeling of social control over me. The lack of human traffic considerably affects this environment and it’s control over me, since this is my first evaluation with such an absence of people, it seems to be more noticeable. I cannot sit down because there is a large amount of waste surrounding the area and it seems very unsanitary, more so than most sidewalks, odd for me because I’m usually not particular to that kind of thing when it comes to sanitation.
85
Denotation
Environment 4 McCarren Park, Brooklyn
Friday during the day, not much activity at the park. Probably no more than 20 people here. Large open spaces, not much social control, but it is very time dependent. The temperature seems to be more controlling, possibly because of my anticipation of a cooler day. I actually changed position to the shade because of the control the heat had over me. Courtesy was an expected control, but because of the lack of people, courtesy and time restraints seem almost non existent as factors of control. When in outdoor environments light sometimes is not an obvious control factor, but time plays a large influence on physical control.
86
Denotation
Environment 5 McCarren Park, Brooklyn
Lots of shade in this park. Older people with family sit at the bench near me, adding a bit of unexpected social control. I can see for a fairly long distance, this removes a lot of fear controls and puts me at ease. Most parks’ similarity to my home put me at ease and seem to lower my control ratings. A kid is riding his bike around the track and he stares at me every time he passes, maybe he is looking at my weird camera. The open fields appear more open by the fact that I am not used to such space. Also, the weather is very pleasant, if it were a weekend, time constraints would be a much larger control.
87
Denotation
Environment 6 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn
Construction all around is directly hindering/controlling my ableness in the environment. Social aspects come from courtesy and my knowledge of the situation being under par. The sidewalk is completely blocked by construction, the street is also blocked by cars and trucks moving supplies, etc. Barriers are very controlling and my perception of the location’s control is sporadic and hard to gauge (hence the wavy graph). Nice weather and very loud, abrasive sounds. Courtesy is a part of the controlled environment because of my ability but social restraint of walking through the construction area. My knowledge is also controlling because I’m not exactly sure what is happening, where people are moving around, or how long it will last. This sidewalk is generally an un-controlling environment.
88
Denotation
Environment 7 Bedford L Train, Brooklyn
Crowded platform, police and MTA employees heavily exercise control over my environment. Regardless of people, physical control is heavily dominant. Loud kids screaming, don’t seem to be as controlled by the environment as I feel. A few people gaze at my awkward camera. The station is very controlling in its darkness and lack of visibility. Human force is a major control in this situation, it adds to factors of fear, safety, barriers, belongings, walking space, and temperature. I am uneasy in the dinginess of the station. The smells and the air heavily influence my level of comfort and overall disorder.
89
Denotation
Environment 8 Blue 9 Burger, Manhattan
Restaurant, not very busy at the moment. Open doors allow outdoor sounds and smells in. TV is distracting, it is somewhat of an unsanitary place, with trash on all the tables. I have been here before when there were more people, I felt less vulnerable. Time restraints in social controls are heavily influenced by time. The lack of people present adjusts the physical controls significantly, it changes my relationship to walking space, barriers, sound, belongings, and temperature. I may not return to this establishment after such an uneasy feeling of total discomfort while eating here. Also, the food was not as good as I remember.
90
Denotation
Environment 9 Madison Square park, Manhattan
Its somewhat of a quiet day at the park, I don’t frequent it, so I’m not sure if this is normal. Pigeons, squirrels, and walkways controlled heavily my ability to move freely. Seems typical of most parks in Manhattan, which are mostly inhabited by tourists, lunch-breaker’s and crazies. Does my aversion to Manhattan parks influence my control ratings? A man sits next to me. He sneezes. I say, “bless you,” he gets up to leave, another man sits down and stares awkwardly at the folders and forms I am filling out. In front of me a lady feeds birds popcorn. A pigeon walks by me with a stubby foot, I feel bad for the pigeon and instantly feel socially controlled because of it. I realize there is a social control for empathy which I have left out of my forms.
91
Denotation
Environment 10 L.E.S., Manhattan
The dock (delivery dock, not boat dock) was empty and completely open, so I jumped in to document the space. I felt in less control the longer I stayed assuming that any minute I would be asked to leave. There were a couple framed pieces of artwork, which confused me as I would not normally expect to see these in a delivery dock. The walls were also painted fairly well for a place that is just used to store things for a short period. Certainly, I thought someone would be coming any moment, but no one ever came, I was able to sit and fill out my entire form. I wonder if knowing I would have that time would have made the environment less controlling. Sometimes our assumptions are more controlling than the actual environment.
92
Denotation
Environment 11 East River Docks, Queens
Got through a fence hole on a dock in Queens. It was vacant except there was a man standing around asking me weird questions like, “is there a gym nearby?” and, “do you know a place I can get x-rated movies?” The strange man made this environment considerably more controlling while he was present. After the man left I looked around the fenced-in-area and around the dock. Great view of the city from here, and the weather is nice. The dismalness of the dock and the concrete surrounded by chain link fences was an overt factor of control and heavily influenced my ratings.
93
Denotation
Environment 12 My Apartment, Brooklyn
My apartment is apparently but also very obviously one of the least controlling environments I will probably evaluate. I feel at complete ease in my home. I can freely do anything within the limits of physical possibility and without any social control. The barriers in my apartment are slightly controlling because of the tightness of the room and all of my possessions. But! they appear less controlling with the laxness of the other control factors. Because of the multiple controlling environments I am accustomed to (living in the city), this environment has its own sense of comfort that is interestingly tucked into a very small space of an over-bearing city filled with controlling details.
94
Denotation
Environment 13 Williamsburg Bridge, Brooklyn
In a somewhat restricted area, though no one seemed to care, I walked around a bit but felt out of place because of the restricted access signs, etc. This construction area under the Williamsburg bridge is completely surrounded with high fences and is used to store materials for bridge and road repair. Multiple signs tell me I should not be here, but there is not a person in sight so I continue to make my rounds of evaluation. Sound is a controlling factor, being under the bridge, where the cars and trucks and trains roll over and echo into a loud, constant rumble. Because of the open space, the physical controls are less and the social controls are a bit higher for my lack of permission being here.
95
Denotation
Environment 14 Middle of Broadway, Brooklyn
Standing in the middle of the street while filling out this evaluation form. This location is a scene in the movie “American Gangster,� and it is supposed to be Jersey. Lots of drivers are upset by my decision to stand in the street. The possibility of being hit by a speeding mini-van is one of the largest controlling factors I have experienced yet. Drivers completely disregard most of the rules leading the physical controls of this environment to a higher rating. It is almost difficult to fully analyze most of the other factors because of the control the vehicles have over me. Temperature, weather, and most social controls cease to be a heavy effect on my control ratings.
96
Denotation
Environment 15 Dog Park, Brooklyn
Sat in the dog park for a little while, got drooled on a number of times. Some owners looked at me with worried looks because of my lack of dog ownership and my documentation forms (I assume). Sanitation seemed a bit more controlling but my knowledge of dogs’ mouths being more sanitary than humans influenced my ratings. Fear was only an issue for a few seconds when a very large dog speed toward me and began jumping. Dogs are somewhat controlling when moving fast.
97
Denotation
Environment 16 Vacant Building, Brooklyn
I climbed some scaffolding into a completely vacant building, and proceeded to go to the second floor. Once there, I attempted a photo and was called down by someone managing the building and was asked to leave. Luckily no legal trouble came of this, the guard informed me that I was lucky that he caught me and not the police. I explained that I was doing my thesis on vacant buildings in Brooklyn, he seemed not to care. For the few minutes I was in the building I felt relatively at ease, though the physical controls were definitely more engrossing, the social controls were low other than the possibility of being caught. Once I was, the social controls seemed even less of an issue because I was let go.
98
Denotation
Environment 17 New Building, Brooklyn
New building construction. The door to the temporary wall was open, so I stepped inside. I didn’t see anyone, but heard workers somewhere in the building. Trash bags and building materials fill the area behind the temporary walls preventing my ability to continue further into the site. Loud work going on, no one seems to see me and I am able to freely document the environment without being bothered. I am familiar with the neighborhood which gives me a bit more gusto in my control ratings. Without seeing anyone, the social ratings seem lower than they would normally in a situation of being where I’m not supposed to be. It is dark behind the walls.
99
Denotation
Environment 18 South 3rd St, Brooklyn
100
Denotation
Environment 19 Above BQE, Brooklyn
Standing on Borinquen st. bridge over the BQE. It is very loud and the vehicles below are moving rapidly. Barriers are heavily controlling. Speeding cars are at a distance and are not as much a factor in my present location. Sound is a large controlling factor with all the noise from the highway. There are so few noticeable controls in this environment, and the ones that are present are too obvious. Likely I will get much better at finding the more inconspicuous controlling aspects as this documentation continues. Fences, glass on the sidewalk, sun directly in my face, not much else is happening.
101
Denotation
Environment 20 Marcy Playground, Brooklyn
Sitting in an empty, quiet playground, it is very shaded by trees and no one is present. I wonder if this is where the band got their name (Marcy Playground). That is not the name of this park, but I could not find the name and it is a playground on Marcy Ave. I’m sure this is a much more controlling atmosphere when kids are here or at night, therefore the controls are very dependent on time. I feel oddly controlled by people staring at me, though no one is present. Maybe this is because I assume all people in empty parks like this are doing something creepy. I went down the slide.
102
Denotation
Environment 21 Domino Sugar Refinery, Brooklyn
Speeding cars on Kent Ave. The factory is closed by completely sealed off. Occasional bike riders are the only people aside from the security guard. My knowledge about this factory is limiting in my understanding of its control. The area is also fairly desolate, with a very bleak feeling and tone. Cars pass by every once in a while, wind is a bit controlling on such a wide open street.
103
Denotation
Environment 22 Grand Park, Brooklyn
I’m sitting on a bench in the park located on the east river. A lady is sitting next to me smoking, but she wasn’t while I was filling out this form, I wonder what kind of effect that would have had over my ratings. Parks are relatively relaxing and in-turn feel much less controlling than most of the other environments I have been evaluating. People do very interesting things at the park which slightly controls my attention and adds to social controls. A child throws bread in the river, no one monitors him. I feel controlled by the social necessity of making sure he doesn’t fall onto the rocks accidentally.
104
Denotation
Environment 23 Classroom, Manhattan
Empty class room 30 minutes prior to start of class. Absence of people severely alters the controlling factors. Many factors are completely absent, mostly social, and are heavily time dependent. Physical controls are high in such a tight room that seems to get colder and colder. I am curious how the presence of people will affect my control ratings. This evaluation is part of a two part evaluation to find the answers to this question which is a main focus of this entire documentation.
105
Denotation
Environment 24 Classroom, Manhattan
Class in progress, teacher assistants present, peers. Self-interest play a bigger factor in an environment centered on my progress in school. This is the second part of a two part evaluation of this environment. The first was documented 30 minutes prior to this. The difference in social controls is striking, obviously. Does my previous evaluation of this environment affect my new ratings? The fact that it was recently documented leads me to assume that certain controls remained the same without too much consideration.
106
Denotation
Environment 25 Heather’s Bar, Manhattan
Dark, hidden bar in Alphabet City, with some friends, ran into other people we knew and listened to the DJ while I asked him about his “Egypt� shirt. Lots of chairs and physical obstructions; small space. The lighting in this bar is heavily controlling and plays a role in my rating of other factors. This is the first time in my evaluations where alcohol has had an influence on my ratings. I am unsure whether alcohol makes me feel less or more controlled, it is most likely dependent on the environment. Social control ratings are lower than I think they would be normally, possibly an effect of the alcohol.
107
Denotation
Environment 26 Bike Ride, Brooklyn
Riding my bike down Seigel st. not much traffic, but the open streets can seem limiting and ominous. This area of Bushwick is filled with warehouses with large gaping delivery docks and fairly barren sidewalks. My balance while riding the bike probably has a mild effect on my judgements. Clearly I filled out this form after being on the bike, but was careful to make note of things I noticed while riding. Numerous physical factors control me, a good deal are elements that I have left out of my evaluations because of the extreme difficulty in documenting them. Some of these factors include all encompassing controls of gravity, tire density, ground traction, muscle response, nerve reaction, etc. The list goes on and on, and could even go as far as proteins or vitamins in my system, atoms, electrons which make up my body that control very minute movements.
108
Denotation
Environment 27 Bogart St, Brooklyn
Josh & Jarrod’s apartment, Eli the pug is present. It is warm, different music is playing. Talking to them is somewhat distracting to my documentation. There are a lot of random objects present. The sunlight in the room is drastically increasing the temperature, slowly adjusting the building’s control over me. Large windows and viewing distance influence my feeling of control. Eli the pug is commanding of attention and it is hard to focus on some factors while documenting. Being in an enclosed space is almost automatically a higher level of control than being outdoors. The clutter of objects is much more often found indoors. Social control is also a factor that depends more heavily on being in an uncomfortable place with unfamiliar people.
109
Denotation
Environment 28 Barber Shop, Brooklyn
Waited in line and got a haircut. The barber was very friendly which played a part in controlling my reactions to him, it also controlled my behavior and self-interest as far as being a returning customer. Being under a vibrating blade is a more obvious control but the social controls came across as being stronger, possibly because the physical factors were expected upon entering the environment. The barber had a personal vendetta with text messaging.
110
Denotation
Environment 29 Post Office, Brooklyn
Standing in line at the local post office (rated as one of the worst in the country) to find out why my mail is not being forwarded. It is crowded, lots of screaming babies and cell phone users threatening the people they are talking to. The anger and frustration that is on people’s faces lays a heavy weight of social control and potential physical control. I have been in this post office before and dread coming because of how terrible the service is, this could be a source of control; my pre-made assessment of the environment.
111
Denotation
Environment 30 Chinese Take Out, Brooklyn
Went to a Chinese take out spot under the JMZ tracks on Broadway. Kind of dark and secluded with terrible smells everywhere. Upon walking into this ‘restaurant’ I was greeted with a hasty, “what do you want to order!?” This confused me because I had just walked in and had no idea what was on the menu. I ended up purchasing no food from this establishment and continued my documentation outside. The muggy restaurant with it’s smells and dankness, and greasy feeling was extremely physically controlling in making me very uncomfortable. The man was socially controlling for reasons I hadn’t prepared for which was trying to avoid someone with rude and obnoxious behavior.
112
Denotation
Environment 31 Nha Tôi Restaurant, Brooklyn
On the way to meet my girlfriend at a bar. These trash bags were sitting outside our neighbor’s sandwich shop. One of the bags moved more than once. It was scary. It is fairly dark and the street lamps are distantly spaced creating an aura of spookiness once the bag moved. Appearances can heavily influence the feeling of control in specific environments such as this, where an occurrence has changed the environment. Something interesting to think about: does an environment need to be focused on a very specific area of the all encompassing environment? Or can it be all that is visible in a general area? This difference can greatly alter the control factor for a majority of the environments.
113
Denotation
Environment 32 Old Apartment, Brooklyn
After leaving the bar, I passed my old apartment and decided to document. Picture quality is bad, it is very dark and quiet. I feel much less controlled than I would in front of any other apartment, simply because of my familiarity with this location. Not having a key to the building is a bit controlling but it is to be expected, so the pressure is not so high.
114
Denotation
Environment 33 Train Tracks, Manhattan
I jumped down into the tracks on the Brooklyn bound L train at 3rd Ave. For reasons of preventing accidental death, very little of this form could be filled out in the immediate environment. Not as gross as people think it is in the tracks. This environment was conclusively influenced by my expectations and was not as controlling as I had anticipated. Sounds are very controlling in the sense that my thoughts are heavily focused on environmental sounds which play a part in my safety. Barriers are a high factor, as well as light and dangerous objects. Social factors actually seemed more controlling, worrying about what people are thinking, whether I will get in trouble, etc.
115
Denotation
Environment 34 J Train, Manhattan
Standing on the J train in Manhattan between Essex & Bowery, on the way to see a movie, my friend is standing next to me. Normally I would consider a train more controlling. When with familiar people control ratings definitely show signs of slouching. I wonder if standing is less or more controlling than sitting. Standing definitely adds controls to the list of factors, such as stability and weight with force. People control my positioning and ability to move freely, the MTA controls my destination and is in a position of serious control over all aspects of my life at this point. Sometimes it amazes me how much trust we put into companies like this.
116
Denotation
Environment 35 Landmark Theatre, Manhattan
Just saw a really great movie and I think it must have put me in a more comfortable mood. I was talking with my friend while walking down the street after the movie. Slight rain and cold weather affect this environment. Cars drive hastily on Houston street and even being on the sidewalk I feel slightly controlled by them. My hunger is a bit controlling, at this point in the day I have only had a snack and some gaterade. Still thinking about the movie and how I relate to the story. Thoughts must be a control factor, but I don’t think they count as part of the environment. Signs for restaurants everywhere are beginning to control my attention.
117
Denotation
Environment 36 Union Square, Manhattan
Usually a lot more people here. The rain is obviously a factor in not only controlling my behavior but others’ as well. There are still a great number of people, my photo missed some of this. Few people are sitting on the ground because of the rain, I wonder if people realize how much power the rain has over them. I expected to be controlled by massive amounts of vendors and crowds of people, but instead I am controlled by a yearning to play foosball and to find nourishment.
118
Denotation
Environment 37 My Apartment, Brooklyn
Sitting down for breakfast at my apartment before leaving for the day, I woke up a bit early and got some things done, so I’m feeling very comfortable. Once again there is not much control in my apartment, I thought it would be interesting to try evaluating it again at a different time to see how much my ratings would change. There is not much of a difference, though I thought there would be. Neil Young is very calming, I wonder if the ability to calm or relax is a control; I guess it is.
119
Denotation
Environment 38 Bar Bathroom, Brooklyn
In the bathroom at Bushwick country club, clearly ironic, I feel relatively at social ease and there is not much space to move around. Minus the bathroom and the noise outside, the social controls are similar to being at home alone. Alcohol isn’t playing too much of an influence yet. Not as bad a smell as expected, this is a pretty trashy dive bar and I assumed it would be worse than this. Getting ready to go home to meet some friends who are staying over because they were kicked out of their building because the owner was negligent to fire codes...
120
Denotation
Environment 39 Sweet Virginia, Brooklyn
Have a couple friends staying over, this is in my girlfriend’s clothing store/studio which is in front of our apartment. We’re celebrating Dave’s new position as a production assistant at a place he had been interning at. He brought over a nice bottle of champagne and we are listening to what he will be doing at this place now. Hunger is starting to take control of all of our thoughts, we decide to go to a BBQ place down the street for a late night snack. Not as many social controls, I feel very comfortable at my apartment while entertaining friends.
121
Denotation
Environment 40 Fette Sau, Brooklyn
Took my friends to a BBQ place near my apartment. It has gotten more popular over the past year and it is normally packed, but this time not so much. Loud music and the need to hurry because closing time is approaching, is a large controlling aspect of this location. The restaurant controls and tempts me with their amazing assortment of foods and beers which I long to acquire. We order quickly and pay with a smile, the hard-ass bartender is kind of a jerk, he is part of the reason I don’t get a drink at the bar. The dim lighting is dominating my attention.
122
Denotation
Environment 41 Broadway, Brooklyn
Under the JMZ train on Broadway and Marcy Ave. It is grungy as usual, lots of people just standing around. I typically notice the controlling aspects of this area. They are very obvious, the kind of controls that most people are aware of. These controls include: strangers talking to you, people on the street that you try to avoid (crazies, drunks, etc.) and loud people that make you more quiet. A man yelled that he doesn’t care.
123
Denotation
Environment 42 Gusto Ristorante, Manhattan
This is my place of work after finishing my shift and having a couple drinks at he bar. The restaurant is closed and I feel comfortable in a place where I know everybody. Somewhat tight walking space, but it doesn’t seem to affect me as much because I know this restaurant inside and out. My manager has much less control over me when my shift is finished, though he still plays a crucial role in the influences of this environment. Time restraints have some effect on my staying much longer. It is difficult to describe this environment, it is possible that it seems so normal to me, the same with my apartment.
124
Denotation
Environment 43 14th St, Manhattan
Walking around 9th & 8th Ave. I see a lot of expensive looking clothing shops and realize some of the control they have over me; purely social control. The streets are not very populated yet, I am unsure of the control factors because different parts of the area are so different. This general area is touristy but also an expensive, fashionable district filled with boutiques and over priced furniture. Conspicuous consumption is one of the largest controlling factors I notice in my day to day life, not particularly on myself but in observance of others. The need to fit in and the uneasiness of inferiority play a large role in controlling people and their activities.
125
Denotation
Environment 44 Delivery Dock, Manhattan
Found an open delivery dock no one was present so I walked through the door and continued in until I couldn’t go any further because of locked doors. I got pretty far. Cement walls are apparently much more controlling than sheetrock. There is some aura about them that makes you notice their power and dominance in the room. Cables and metal piping run along the walls and add a sense of danger that is not immediately noticeable; but after further thought it is concluded that they play a large role in the environment’s general presence.
126
Denotation
Environment 45 Farmer’s Market, Manhattan
Walking around the 14th st. farmer’s market. Dense with people, lots of activity and vendors. In some parts of the park I was completely controlled by a crowd walking through. There were very tasty grape samples. Even in sections of the market that were not as crowded, my movement was hindered and I was somewhat forced down certain paths. It feels like its going to rain and I am running errands which may have added to the urgency of leaving the park.
127
Denotation
Environment 46 7th Ave, Brooklyn
Walking down 7th Ave. in Park Slope Very nice day, few people on the streets, and not much activity. This is a very nice neighborhood with a lot of expensive looking houses. I am pressed for time and on the way to a meeting, time restraints along with my stamina are weighing a heavy amount of control over me. Large amount of foliage, controls the lighting in a much more intense way than in most neighborhoods, but it also puts me at a relative ease being in an area that feels like part of a park.
128
Denotation
Environment 47 Methodist Church, Brooklyn
Just outside of a Methodist Church in Park Slope. Stood at the back near the door, but did most of my documentation outside because of the social control factor of being rude. I am not a religious person and don’t really have any issues with people who are religious, the bible to me is a book of great stories of moral fortitude and that is about it. This aspect of being in a church is not necessarily controlling, what is controlling is my respect for others’ ideas and beliefs.
129
Denotation
Environment 48 Chase Bank, Brooklyn
Stopping in the bank to get some cash. Not too many people here. It is probably weird for me to stand here and fill this out while people are at the ATM’s, they are probably controlled by my presence. There is an interesting sense of control in places like banks, and places where you are being monitored. Even when you know nothing you are doing is wrong or even suspicious, you feel that someone thinks it is.
130
Denotation
Environment 49 PS1 Art Center, Queens
Though the photo was taken outside, the documentation is based on being inside. Went with a friend to see the NY book arts fair. Needless to say, I was excited to be there. My financial circumstances were a very large control over me because of the fact that I could not afford to purchase some of the things I would liked to have. I’m curious if it is my own personal money handling that limited that ability. I definitely could have bought the books, but I would have put myself in an altogether separate position of control.
131
Denotation
Environment 50 Apartment Alley, Brooklyn
The back alley of my apartment building. Two giant rottweilers stand guard behind a low fence. Their bark is almost deafening and they totally dominate your attention. The echoes of the alley aide their intense bark and control. This is by far the most controlling environment that was evaluated. My every move and thought was impacted by these dogs and their ability to dominate my attention.
132
Denotation
Environment 51 Taxi, Manhattan
Cabs have a very interesting environment; you are in this very small, intimate space, yet everyone does their best to ignore each other. There seems to be moderate social control, but it is mostly physical control because of space. The cabbie is completely ignoring what I am doing, and is fully engaged in the conversation he is having on his high-tech ear-phone device. We are sharing some sort of odd relationship where we both need something from each other, though we don’t really acknowledge it, and we will never see each other again, for some reason that is very interesting to me.
133
Denotation
Environment 52 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn
Going back to my apartment before meeting up with some friends. It is extremely poorly lit on this street, most of the light comes from the eminence of the city. Darkness is definitely a factor of control, and the lack of people on the streets is less socially controlling and leaning towards simply being creepy. The wind is blowing around a lot of trash which is commanding my attention being that this is Bushwick and there is a lot of litter everywhere. Otherwise not a very controlling environment.
134
Denotation
Environment 53 Leonard St, Brooklyn
With some friends and a new acquaintance (pictured in flannel) on our way to Bushwick country club to visit a friend I haven’t seen in a while. I am definitely being controlled in this position of the sidewalk, I am in the center of a group walking forward and there is not much space between myself and the next person. Fractured ground structures such as the broken cement and over coated asphalt make walking a bit more of a difficult task. The darkness does not help.
135
Denotation
Environment 54 Bushwick Country Club, Brooklyn
Part one of a three part documentation of one environment. Depicted: Jarrod doing one of many PBR + whisky + pickle shots that the group would partake in the rest of the night. A dive bar is good place for this documentation because it seems fairly uncontrolling on the social side. People do not pay attention nor do they even care about your actions unless they inhibit their own. Social controls are limited, physical controls seem much more noticeable. Alcohol is a factor but is not yet influencing my behavior or even my perception as far as I can tell.
136
Denotation
Environment 55 Bushwick Country Club, Brooklyn
Just before going outside and playing mini-mini-golf, we are having a couple more drinks. These bar documentations are transcribed from notes taken and noticed but filled out after the fact. Alcohol is playing a more significant. role in determining my feelings of control. Everybody wants to play mini-golf outside and now I do to. We get ready to go outside and figure out how we will attempt to play the game. I consider how long it will take for mini-golf to be boring because of alcohol consumption.
137
Denotation
Environment 56 Bushwick Country Club, Brooklyn
We have now been drinking fairly heavily for about 4 hours and a man on the golf course offered us a joint. This is everyone getting ready to go; smiles are contagious (actual notes from notebook). The man on the golf course was very strange and seemed to be making up a lot of lies to make us interested in him. Otherwise he was a nice guy. I bought him a drink to reciprocate his generosity.
138
Denotation
Environment 57 Computer Lab, Manhattan
In the computer room and no one is here because it is Saturday. Not a very controlling environment, but the lack of activity or sound confuses my sense of control, and what control is. Does control play more of a role when people are not present to judge? Or does it play more of a role when you are concerned about possibly being seen when you don’t expect it. This is one answer I have not gained from all of these studies.
139
141
CONTROL Physical Ratings
142
CONTROL
001
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
143
002
144
CONTROL
003
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
145
004
146
CONTROL
005
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
147
006
148
CONTROL
007
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
149
008
150
CONTROL
009
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
151
010
152
CONTROL
011
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
153
012
154
CONTROL
013
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
155
014
156
CONTROL
015
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
157
016
158
CONTROL
017
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
159
018
160
CONTROL
019
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
161
020
162
CONTROL
021
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
163
022
164
CONTROL
023
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
165
024
166
CONTROL
025
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
167
026
168
CONTROL
027
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
169
028
170
CONTROL
029
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
171
030
172
CONTROL
031
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
173
032
174
CONTROL
033
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
175
034
176
CONTROL
035
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
177
036
178
CONTROL
037
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
179
038
180
CONTROL
039
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
181
040
182
CONTROL
041
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
183
042
184
CONTROL
043
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
185
044
186
CONTROL
045
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
187
046
188
CONTROL
047
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
189
048
190
CONTROL
049
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
191
050
192
CONTROL
051
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
193
052
194
CONTROL
053
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
195
054
196
CONTROL
055
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
197
056
198
CONTROL
057
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
199
201
CONTROL Social
202
CONTROL
001
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
203
002
204
CONTROL
003
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
205
004
206
CONTROL
005
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
207
006
208
CONTROL
007
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
209
008
210
CONTROL
009
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
211
010
212
CONTROL
011
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
213
012
214
CONTROL
013
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
215
014
216
CONTROL
015
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
217
016
218
CONTROL
017
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
219
018
220
CONTROL
019
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
221
020
222
CONTROL
021
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
223
022
224
CONTROL
023
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
225
024
226
CONTROL
025
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
227
026
228
CONTROL
027
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
229
028
230
CONTROL
029
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
231
030
232
CONTROL
031
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
233
032
234
CONTROL
033
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
235
034
236
CONTROL
035
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
237
036
238
CONTROL
037
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
239
038
240
CONTROL
039
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
241
040
242
CONTROL
041
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
243
042
244
CONTROL
043
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
245
044
246
CONTROL
045
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
247
046
248
CONTROL
047
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
249
048
250
CONTROL
049
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
251
050
252
CONTROL
051
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
253
052
254
CONTROL
053
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
255
054
256
CONTROL
055
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
257
056
258
CONTROL
057
GRA
SOC
PHY
ENV
PHO
259
261
CONTROL Control Graphs
CONTROL
262
001
002
003
004
005
009
010
PHY
008
SOC
ENV
007
GRA
PHO
263
006
CONTROL
264
011
012
013
014
015
019
020
PHY
018
SOC
ENV
017
GRA
PHO
265
016
CONTROL
266
021
022
023
024
025
029
030
PHY
028
SOC
ENV
027
GRA
PHO
267
026
CONTROL
268
031
032
033
034
035
039
040
PHY
038
SOC
ENV
037
GRA
PHO
269
036
CONTROL
270
041
042
043
044
045
049
050
PHY
048
SOC
ENV
047
GRA
PHO
271
046
CONTROL
272
051
052
053
054
055
SOC
PHY
ENV
057
GRA
PHO
273
056
275
CONTROL Conclusion
276
CONTROL
Conclusion Perspective played the largest role in the evaluations, and evolving definitions of each factor altered many of the ratings from environment to environment. This was the hardest thing to overcome while conducting these evaluations; seeing the controls from a different perspective so as to gain a better and more conclusive idea of it’s influence. While some factors such as physical possibility stay consistent through environments, we ourselves are the most inconsistent part of our environment. It has become more amazing to me how our minds can analyze so many factors of our environment without the slightest bit of thought, and subconsciously document it for future reference. After weeks of documenting my environments I have determined that they are severely controlling, more so than I had originally thought. I think the further one analyzes the factors in his environment that control him, the more controlling he finds it; and the more factors he finds. This ritual of evaluating my environments has formed a habit in taking more notice of which elements of my surroundings are influencing my decisions or actions. All of our surroundings affect us in some way, whether we are cognizant of it or not.
277
279
CONTROL Index
CONTROL
280
INDEX
001
16,48,81, 140,200,260
009
20,52,89, 148,208,261
002
16,48,82, 141,201,260
010
20,52,90, 149,209,261
003
17,49,83, 142,202,260
011
21,53,91, 150,210,262
004
17,49,84, 143,203,260
012
21,53,92, 151,211,262
005
18,50,85, 144,204,260
013
22,53,93, 152,212,262
006
18,50,86, 145,205,261
014
12,13,22,53, 94,153,213,262
007
19,51,87, 146,206,261
015
23,54,95, 154,214,262
008
19,51,88, 147,207,261
016
23,54,96, 155,215,263
281
017
24,56,97, 156,216,263
025
28,60,105, 164,224,264
018
24,56,98, 157,217,263
026
28,60,106, 165,225,265
019
25,57,99, 158,218,263
027
29,61,107, 166,226,265
020
25,57,100, 159,219,263
028
29,61,108, 167,227,265
021
26,58,101, 160,220,264
029
30,62,109, 168,228,265
022
26,58,102, 161,221,264
030
30,62,110, 169,229,265
023
27,59,103, 162,222,264
031
31,63,111, 170,230,266
024
27,59,104, 163,223,264
032
31,63,112, 171,231,266
CONTROL
282
033
8,32,64, 113,172,232,266
041
36,68,121, 180,240,268
034
32,64,114, 173,233,266
042
36,68,122, 181,241,268
035
33,65,115, 174,234,266
043
37,69,123, 182,242,268
036
33,65,116, 175,235,267
044
37,69,124, 183,243,268
037
34,66,117, 176,236,267
045
38,70,125, 184,244,268
038
34,66,118, 177,237,267
046
38,70,126, 185,245,269
039
35,67,119, 178,238,267
047
39,71,127, 186,246,269
040
35,67,120, 179,239,267
048
39,71,128, 187,247,269
283
049
40,72,129, 188,248,269
050
40,72,130, 189,249,269
051
41,73,131, 190,250,270
052
41,73,132, 191,251,270
053
42,74,133, 192,252,270
054
42,74,134, 193,253,270
055
43,75,135, 194,254,270
056
46,75,136, 195,255,271
057
44,76,137, 196,256,271
This documentation is part of an ongoing project studying control. More information can be found at: control.grantagold.com