The Architect's Gaze
I am intrigued by the idea that adding to architectural discourse doesn't just mean coming up with bold, new ideas. Sometimes it's about observing and articulating things already happening out there in the world. This in turn can put that idea in the forefront so it can be developed and pushed further. For example, congestion of programming and activity is not a new concept but Koolhaas really articulated the idea and pushes it in his buildings, elevating the idea from a happy accident to a deliberate exercise.
The following image is a cartoon done by Dutch artist and co-founder of OMA Madelon Vriesendorp that was used as the cover of Delirious New York. It's entitled Flagrant Delit which is a legal term used to indicate that a criminal has been caught in the act of committing an offense. It depicts the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building caught in bed together. I interpret the image as a commentary on the dual nature, and perhaps unintended consequence, of New York's culture of congestion. It shows two of the most iconic buildings in New York, objects we perceive as institutions of New York. They stand stoic and motionless in the cityscape. The cartoon suggests however, that sometimes things are happening behind the scene that aren't exactly acceptable. A peer is shining a light on the behavior just like Koolhaas is shining a light on the gritty, primal, and exciting things happening in New York.
The following image is a cartoon done by Dutch artist and co-founder of OMA Madelon Vriesendorp that was used as the cover of Delirious New York. It's entitled Flagrant Delit which is a legal term used to indicate that a criminal has been caught in the act of committing an offense. It depicts the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building caught in bed together. I interpret the image as a commentary on the dual nature, and perhaps unintended consequence, of New York's culture of congestion. It shows two of the most iconic buildings in New York, objects we perceive as institutions of New York. They stand stoic and motionless in the cityscape. The cartoon suggests however, that sometimes things are happening behind the scene that aren't exactly acceptable. A peer is shining a light on the behavior just like Koolhaas is shining a light on the gritty, primal, and exciting things happening in New York.
With that I think it is important to realize the impact of knowledge sharing in our profession and the importance of publishing research, discussions, reading, attending guest lectures...
ReplyDeleteAbsolubty, specially because this will open the door to ideas from all sort of places and put them on a place where they can be studied and analized. Otherwise we could just go back to worship everything starchitects do without being critical of their work.
DeleteIn a way, to me, it's like noticing and enjoying the little things. There is this broad view and system, the world but there is also that observational and articulating point you bring up. These are the little things as architects our focused "gaze" can develop to impact the bigger picture.
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