I was interested in Shelley Hornstein’s definition of existence and memory in this reading. The Eiffel tower exists as a real thing, but because of all of the postcards and memorabilia of it, it exists in many other forms also. Those other forms are physical entities, and thus the Eiffel tower exists in multiple forms. This brings up the issue of memory and experience. We all know what this building looks like, but how many of us have actually been to Paris? Most of us have memories of the tower and and idea of it based of one of the other entities it exists as, rather than experiencing the architecture as it is.

Architecture has an important place in cultural memory. Memorial sites and culturally important buildings are precious to entire communities, and when these places are destroyed, even if nobody was hurt or killed in the process, it can psychologically devastate. Those who have never visited the site can have this connection to it, and have a memory of the place without having spent any time there. Architecture is not merely a space to inhabit, it is as much a part of us and reflection of us as we are of it. The space and places we inhabit shape us.

Something to consider in relation to memory is the idea of memorial sites; places that are constructed in order to evoke a certain memory, of a separate event, time and/ or place. It is almost assimilated to the idea of postcards and memorabilia. It is about transporting someone to this time and place in their mind without actually being there.  Something the reading explains about effective memorial sites is that they focus on encouraging reflection in the present, rather than attempting to reconstruct the past. The memorial sites are about remembering, not trying to create the memory of a place that has gone. The problem with this, however, is that many victims want to forget and move on from the painful memories. This begs the question, why do we insist on remembering some things so much? Is it to learn from the pat, or to make sure those who experienced it aren’t forgotten as an act of thanks and repayment? Some may not appreciate the sentiment as much as others, some being those who the memorial is dedicated to.