Architecture of Resistance
"Ever since the beginning of the Enlightenment, civilization has been primarily concerned with instrumental reason, while culture has addressed itself to the specifics of expression-to the realization of the being and the evolution of its collective psycho-social reality. Today civilization tends to be increasingly embroiled in a never ending chain of 'means and ends'." (17)
Means and ends. This sounds quite familiar. It reminds me of our discussions from week 05, Architecture and Participation. We spend so much time now determining the how, that we often forget about the why.
In Kenneth Frampton's text on Critical Regionalism, he draws a distinction between culture and civilization, claiming that civilization worries about the more logical and culture concerns the spiritual, and there is a constant wrestle between the two. I see a connection between de Carlo and Frampton's works.
Civilization has become increasingly concerned with the how; how to grow bigger, better, stronger, faster buildings and cities.
In contrast, culture is all about the why; who we are, why we're here, how we interact with one another.
There is a constant struggle between the two throughout time, and while one can not exist without the other, it seems the how has become more important in modern times. One cannot exist without the other. There needs to be just as much priority placed on culture and why in order to ensure the critical nature of architecture and the vitality of our cities.
Means and ends. This sounds quite familiar. It reminds me of our discussions from week 05, Architecture and Participation. We spend so much time now determining the how, that we often forget about the why.
In Kenneth Frampton's text on Critical Regionalism, he draws a distinction between culture and civilization, claiming that civilization worries about the more logical and culture concerns the spiritual, and there is a constant wrestle between the two. I see a connection between de Carlo and Frampton's works.
Civilization has become increasingly concerned with the how; how to grow bigger, better, stronger, faster buildings and cities.
In contrast, culture is all about the why; who we are, why we're here, how we interact with one another.
There is a constant struggle between the two throughout time, and while one can not exist without the other, it seems the how has become more important in modern times. One cannot exist without the other. There needs to be just as much priority placed on culture and why in order to ensure the critical nature of architecture and the vitality of our cities.
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