Editor's Note:
BETWEEN-NESS
As terms "BOXES, BLOCKS, AND URBAN SPACE" have transformed many times over in my mind since our initial decision to explore it as a topic in the latest issue of Precis. Much of what seemed relevant and most anticipated about the collection of these terms has since evolved into something very different. The articles comprising Precis, No. 13, do not neatly fold into a palpable container; no unified decision is put forward and no unanimous conclusions reached. Instead the following articles stand collectively around the topic -- finding moments of overlap and agreement, and as one might expect, finding moments of discord and disagreement. From the beginning my interest in this topic has been in the possible exploration into what exists between these terms -- the dialogue, the relationships. I would now hold the same notion true for the articles themselves. What if anything, emerges from between these articles. Is it coincidence that several names, places and phrases re-appear in separate articles? Or does this begin to suggest the postulations of deeper currents that define these terms and their implications.
In a recent conversation regarding this current issue of Precis, a friend enlightened me with a lesson in the use of the Chinese alphabet: each character is in and of itself a word, and it is usually the combination of these characters that further expresses more complex words and relationships. He explained that the words "body", "space", and "human" are each written with two characters. The first character in each word is different but the last is the same for all three. The last character, he told me is roughly translated as "between". The relationship within each word is integral to its definition but it is the similarity and difference between these three words that ultimately takes one further along in understanding a deeper meaning of the words.
On behalf of the other editors and staff of Precis, I invite you to read through this issue and formulate your own thoughts, opinions and hopefully - your own conclusions.