Even your gluteus maximum gets preferred seating…

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.