Source: Political Anatomy, Robbins (pg.3)
Relation: As Robbins describes the purpose for having chairs
and desks in a classroom setting, I was at the Redwood Bowl this weekend and I
analyzed the purpose for having bleachers and stands for sporting events.
Description: This past Saturday HSU Track and Field had an
opening Green and Gold
Meet, and as I watched from the stands taking
photographs it hit me for the first time how every stadium is designed a
specific way just for the viewers eyes. Ever wondered why your seat is designed
the way it is? How stadiums wouldn’t be called stadiums if the seats weren’t
arranged in a circular/oval pattern? As I sat watching the various
multi-events, I noticed how the supporters sat in various parts of the stands,
some preferred lower seating to be close to the finish line, while others
preferred higher seating to get a better view of the whole track. I personally
love front row seats, but that’s because I love taking close-up snapshots. I
noticed our seating contains only of long benches across the stands, in order
to fit the most capacity. There’s no need of inclination seating if your body
will always have the tendency to lean forward or standup to see which athletes
gets first place, or if there was a goal scored, or if our team made a
touch-down. Doesn’t matter the sport people only need a seat to watch an event
comfortably.
Commentary and analysis: From an anthropologist point of
view, the seating in the Redwood Bowl part takes in political anatomy of a
sporting event; because our bodies are forced to view the center of the field. Part
of the sporting event system gives meaning to its spectators. Every seat is
supposed to have the same ability to provide the same viewing to everyone, with
individual preferences of closer or further viewing. Although its unique
setting is appropriate for such sporting event. Analyzing this setting, I was
able to see cultural anthropology in the world of athletes.
