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Mapping Filmic Topias: How Can Contemporary Suburban Spaces Be Understood through the Lens of Aisthesistopia in Film from Late 2010s to Early 2020s?

Part 2 Dissertation 2024
Haydn Thompson
Leeds Beckett University | UK
This thesis explores the relationship between film and architecture, focusing on how contemporary American suburbia is portrayed in cinema. By examining three films: "Get Out," "Don't Worry Darling," and "Vivarium," I investigate the depiction of suburbia as both utopian and dystopian spaces, highlighting issues of race, gender, and conformity.

At the heart of this study is Aísthesistopia, a theoretical framework I proposed in my stasis. Aísthesistopia challenges the conventional binary of utopia and dystopia, suggesting that these concepts coexist along a spectrum shaped by individual perceptions. This framework argues that space is not an objective reality but a subjective experience influenced by personal biases and lived experiences and further highlights how these subjective experiences might create ignorance in marginalised identities.

Through this analysis, I advocate for a more nuanced understanding of suburbia. The often-idealised notion of suburbia as part of the American Dream often obscures underlying social tensions and inequalities. This thesis serves as a call to consideration for architects, urging them to critically comprehend the diverse impacts of their designs and to appreciate the subjective nature of spatial experiences. By moving beyond simplistic utopian or dystopian labels, architects can better address the complexities of contemporary suburban life.

Haydn Thompson

Tutor(s)
Renee Tobe
2024
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