I went to Derby today and, having some time to kill, I decided to explore the new shopping mall that was opened two years ago to great public acclaim. People were unanimous in saying how wonderful it was, so I thought I’d take a look.
Did I say ‘explore?’ What is there to explore in a shopping mall? Every floor looked like every other floor in every other shopping mall I’ve ever been in. Shopping malls have alliteration written all over them. Cathedrals of crass commercialism. Monuments to mindless materialism. Everywhere you look there is a hideous, almost mind-numbing plethora of clashing colours, shapes and styles; and all of it plastic, ephemeral and inconsequential. The shopping mall claims to have everything. For me, there are three notable things missing: taste, heritage and soul.
But, you might argue, a mall is just a High Street conveniently situated under one roof. Well, no it isn’t, because a High Street isn’t just about shops. A High Street is also about architecture, history, uniqueness of style, cultural signposts. Even those that have been pedestrianised still show evidence of the route that people used to take while passing from one part of the realm to another. Many of them still have the old coaching inns to prove it. And when we walk down a High Street, we walk under the same sky they did. We walk up the same stone steps that our Edwardian and Victorian forbears did; we might even be able to sit by the old cross that was placed there in mediaeval times. The problem with the shopping mall is that it’s one-dimensional. It’s just distilled commerce, nothing more. It’s a sad and shallow icon of modern times, devoid of everything but the drive to part you from your money.
So, what did you say was ‘wonderful’ about it?
Another post is waiting to be born out of this one. Another time.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
11 comments:
Jeff~ you eloquently expressed the very same way that I feel about shopping malls. And I think the 'High Street' you speak of is what I know as being 'Down Town'. The wonderful old stores that featured mezzanines and fancy hats and real architecture and iron water fountains on street corners (known as 'bubblers'.) Give me a down town or a thrift store any old day over the ubiquitous and sterile mall.
Ah, Shay, you're back. I was just thinking about you. Sterile - that's the word.
Devoid of soul full of mass produced tat and yes, definitely sterile and lacking any sense of wonder. Plastic and despondent, more and more the world becomes Terry Gilliam's Brazil.
I love that film. What I don't understand is, it's considered a classic, so why don't people learn from it? Because the voice of Mother Culture is stronger, I suppose.
Precisely Mr Beazley!!
It terrifies me each time I watch it!
How about watching some Disney instead? It's what we're supposed to do, isn't it?
Jeff, your posts never cease to amaze me. They always evoke some new thoughts in me and as a result, my opinions change, hoepfully for the better. This post was no exception. This is great, Jeff!
Hard to know what to say, Lu. You honour me greatly.
I think the fact of the matter is that, however much I accept that nothing is ever perfect, the road 'civilised' humanity has taken contains a lot that is highly dubious. I think we need to be constantly looking beyond the facade of Mother Culture and questionning it. The problem is that it can stress you out if you're not careful, and that isn't good. You're well blessed, though. You take such delight in real, simple things like the smiles of children. That's well worth holding on to.
I hate malls...I feel claustrophobic in them and they remind me of Las Vegas. Full of flashing lights, everywhere they've designed it so people spend money, no clocks to show what time it is and the whole business of it...I love the odd, whimsical stores/shops one finds just by serendipity. I love how you described how "wonderful" malls are ;)
Hi Wendy. You have me thinking about words here. I think I would describe malls as 'wondrous' - inspiring wonder. Just not the sort they want to inspire.
Oddly enough, I did find one shop in the Derby mall that I liked. It sold cards, books and coffee, and was tucked away by a side entrance. It only had two customers, including me. I bought a card for Helen's birthday, and plan to try their coffee the next time I go. It had more the feel of a traditional coffee shop - so unlike the Starbucks and other chains. Odd to find something like that in a mall.
Well, maybe there's hope yet for off the beat shops finding their way to the malls. I hope it doesn't close though...
Post a Comment