The Effect of Use and Meaning on the Objects Form

The role of objects in the process of cultural continuity and change was not given enough attention in studies. However the growing number of material culture studies shows the increasing attention given to this subject. During the slow process of cultural change objects go through a life span beginning with invention or adoption, passing through stages of different forms and eventually being abandoned. The primary reason for inventing objects (except objects for art purposes) is to serve people's utilitarian use, such as moving, dressing, cooking, eating, playing, sleeping and dwelling. As time passes and people use objects, these objects change to meet, in addition to utilitarian uses, cultural needs. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of objects during their different stages of life in meeting the utilitarian and cultural needs of users. This research will examine living environments as systems within which constituents (users and objects) are continuously changing and interacting with each other in order that the systems maintain a state of equilibrium. To investigate any living environment, it is necessary to find how its constituents communicate with each other. People communicate with objects by using them, and objects communicate with people by indicating how they should be used and by conveying meanings. For a system to achieve equilibrium, some of its constituents should maintain the survival of others; i.e. be compatible with others. If two constituents are maintaining the survival of one another that means they are compatible with each other. If one constituent is maintaining the survival of many constituents, this means that its compatibility is high. If one constituent hinders the survival of other constituents, this means that it is incompatible. The research methodology is qualitative. A quantitative methodology that correlates a few variables will not unfold data that needs in-depth inquiry, such as space meaning for example. It is important to devote the time of the fieldwork to a small number of cases to maintain a high level of validity rather than correlating a few variables by implementing quantitative methodology. All possible relationships between use, meaning and form as well as the level of compatibility among the three constituents at every stage are illustrated in a model developed in this study. The model is a tool of seeing the cultural role of objects. It is an analytic frame that could be developed or adjusted even in future research to provide better understanding of the relationship between objects and people. The model is then used to help in the analysis of Minarets and Military Uniforms. It has been found that objects maintain the survival of people's utilitarian and symbolic needs in different levels. Some objects pass through different stages of compatibility according to their required functions. Some objects need to be compatible with uses driven by values, others need to be compatible with users' identity, and others need to be only practical. Every object has a certain function and consequently a certain level of compatibility with other constituents in the living environment.