Game of thrones : a critical heterotopic reading of architectural space

Abstract

Heterotopias can be defined as ‘other species’. In 1967, Michael Foucault had put forward a broad definition of heterotopias are. According to him there are specific examples of such spaces that we encounter diurnally. Due to the vagueness of its definition, a heterotopia can be part of a wide spectrum of possibilities and spaces. Contexts in literature, art and film are often regarded as heterotopian or utopian spaces. The theory of heterotopias is used to understand, define and relate these places to spaces that we as humans endure. A heterotopic space is better understood when it constitutes elements of spaces and architecture that we are familiar with in the ‘real context’. This study will be focusing on the heterotopic spaces and architecture in the film the ‘Game of Thrones’, a series based on the books of ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ written by George R.R. Martin. The aim of this study is to delve into the theory of heterotopias by producing a visual study of the architecture present in the first season of the film the Game of Thrones, a study in tandem with Mayra Rodriguez Gomez’ research published in 2010 on the film ‘Avatar’. These imaginative landscapes and cities in the ‘Games of Thrones’ will be used as case studies to further explore the main points within Michael Foucault’s theory. The spaces will be closely studied through a series of sketches by the author in order to further strengthen the visual element that aids one to understand such spaces. In parallel, the written and visual case studies aim to provide an understanding of the heterotopian spaces in the aforementioned series.