People need anchor points

People need anchor points for their activities. We usually follow the activities of others. When there’s nobody buying things at a vending stand the chances that somebody stops are smaller than when there is a queue of interested customers. Usually in an empty space we prefer to stand next to an existing object than in the middle of an empty, wide area. A fountain, a landmark, a gate, a kiosk, a statue, a tree, even a lamp post – all these items may become an anchor point for people to gather in a certain place. Without such anchoring points people stop less willingly.

To fulfill the task of drawing people’s attention, an anchor point should be situated outside the main traffic flow. Our ancestors used to situate monuments in an admirable way, by neglecting the rules of geometry (especially ignoring the geometric center of a square and the laws of symmetry). Au contraire, they used to enrich the aesthetic values of architecture with the qualities of sculpture which were treated as a part of the architectural oeuvre. The object of art, situated next to, but not on the common paths of passers-by has the chance to become a landmark or a meeting point. It attracts people, encourages them to stop and have a moment of rest, to stand and stare, to talk, maybe to exchange opinions. Empty space does not generate such temptations.