Bay Window State

Massachusetts is known as “the Bay State” because of its historical ties and geographical proximity to Massachusetts Bay. Perhaps “the Bay Window State” would do just as well because this architectural feature graces so many homes in the commonwealth. And these are more remarkable than the rather puritan Cape Cod homes that are also so common here.

Everywhere I walk in Boston, I am struck by the architecture of seeing. Bay windows are in so many respects like Museum display cases. On the other side of each is supposed to be something important, valuable, or interesting. And through the glass panes of each we gaze and are looked upon (on the latter, see James Elkins’ disturbing and mind bending The Object Stares Back). Thus I ask: what is the object framed by the bay window? We look out of these windows suggesting that the world beyond is supposed to be the object of our gaze. Yet we block bay windows with curtains, shades, furniture, plants and so on to prevent people from looking in. Maybe it’s the people inside who are objects of the gaze. While bay windows circumscribe our vision as we look out (you can’t look out the walls where the architect chose not to install bay windows), they also act like an animal cage making the objects within interesting – a fact made all the more real when we recall that as children we are tabooed not to look inside people’s windows.

Automobiles are an even better example of this taboo. Most of us rest secure in the knowledge that others will not look into our cars as we pick our noses or clip our fingernails (or worse). Truckers have caught on that violating the taboo comes with no penalty. So if you are ever on a long trip, check out the truckers as they try to watch you pick your nose. What are you gonna’ do about it? Put a couch in front of the window?