A Life Between
Years ago, The Smithsonian put together a traveling exhibit entitled Between Fences. As it was explained in the exhibit's publicity article.
"We live between fences. We may hardly notice them, but they are dominant features in our lives and in our history. Thousands of types have been invented, millions of miles have been produced, and countless rivals have seized post, rail, panel, and wire to stake their claims. In 1871, the Department of Agriculture estimated the total value
Fence Function
The United States as we know it could not have been settled and built without fences; they continue to be an integral part of the nation. Fences stand for security: we use them to enclose our houses and neighborhoods. They are decorative structures that are as much part of the landscape as trees and flowers are. Industry and agriculture without fences would be difficult to imagine. Private ownership of land would be an abstract concept. But fences are more than functional objects. They are powerful symbols. The way we define ourselves as individuals and as a nation becomes concrete in how we build fences." Focusing on all regions of the United States, common and uncommon fencing includes various types of residential, agricultural and industrial fencing. A fence has a historical and contemporary impact and fences are instrumental in changing the American landscape.
At a historical and most basic level, fences are a practical means of defense and protection. Visually, fences tell us that we are approaching land that is set apart, is owned, defined, and not to be crossed. Fences are not static entities. They represent viable interest at the behest of those who control the land and must be reinforced time and again. A well-maintained fence indicates the owner's continuing investment, whereas an old, rickety fence tells us that those on the inside are vulnerable or neglectful and that the preservation of the fence line may be in jeopardy. In our protection, fences keep us from incident, most obviously, from falling, indicating that our movement in the world must be regulated, that our freedom to explore is limited and in a fence, we are given a warning both symbolic and pragmatic.
And Spite Fences
A new concept for me was the phenomenon of " Spite Fences." This is when a neighbor builds a fence to purposefully antagonize his neighbors. The neighbors feel cut off from the angry builder of the fence and possibly from other neighbors. If the fence is unattractive, the general response of the neighborhood as a whole may be affected. Court cases that involved such disputes were difficult to measure, as the offense was for the most part psychological. In the U.S., the blocking of light and air is generally not considered an offense as it can be in other countries. Other than obeying local codes on the height of a fence, blocking the view of a neighboring yard is not a cause for official complaint. A major directive on fence building is that it not cause injury to others. However, some states have adopted ordinances regarding spite fences and have created some guidelines. In these cases, it must be established that the fence is solely built to antagonize and has no practical or seemly purpose. It is up to the defendant to prove that the fence has a function other than to perturb those living nearby.
For more on this subject, look at our blog, Spite Fences.
