Very interesting. I'd love to see what kind of architecture could come out of this line of thought and attempting to implement it practically in a modern setting.
Yes. The problem is the whole system reinforces its own degradation. We'd almost need to experience some kind of architectural renaissance. Or just harness up a team of woodchucks and start mining our own stone.
On the other hand, we can't expect to copy and paste from our favorite historical era. But we definitely could learn from them (classical/neo-classical, medieval/gothic revival, etc). I think this would be a deeply interesting line of thought for an architect to consider.
I'll go on a limb and say that modernist "architecture" was designed to oppress the human spirit and crush hope. Have one standard NPC "human" slaves all, for our elites' eternity to rule over.
There is also a little something my dad who was an architect during the “not real communism” period in our country told me. The bureaucrats would kill every project that even remotely proposed aesthetics, and actively championed postmodernism, brutalism, etc. Even the monuments were in shapes going against everything beautiful or natural. When he asked one of the drunk technocrats, she told him they had a specific goal and that was to reshape the perception of the “new man”.
I find it fascinating how many aspects of society conspire to kill the human spirit. Postmodern cynicism has been a poison in our culture and I'm glad it seems to be receding.
Dear Ben, I appreciate your astute observation into what is taking place in the world of architecture. I understand you are speaking in relative generalities so bringing up specifics would be unfair. However, I do believe that done well many modernist pieces can be very humane, welcoming, enjoyable, and even warm to be within. Modernism along with brutalism being originated as a rebellion against authority, at the time particularly wicked authority, but nonetheless it was a rejection of all authority and rule of law. This beginning leas the style down an ugly road. But I don’t believe all modernism falls into inhumanity that you are discussing. When exercised with proper form the buildings produced I think can be quite enjoyable. I will say much of the style is poisoned with poor execution and structures that are “termite buildings” as Howard Kunstler will say. I appreciate your note on asceticism, I think we can learn lessons from this as the architecture that we think to be beautiful can quickly become idolatry. Creating beautiful human crafted things but not worshiping what we make; polls to be between as we seek to glorify our God.
Very interesting. I'd love to see what kind of architecture could come out of this line of thought and attempting to implement it practically in a modern setting.
Yes. The problem is the whole system reinforces its own degradation. We'd almost need to experience some kind of architectural renaissance. Or just harness up a team of woodchucks and start mining our own stone.
On the other hand, we can't expect to copy and paste from our favorite historical era. But we definitely could learn from them (classical/neo-classical, medieval/gothic revival, etc). I think this would be a deeply interesting line of thought for an architect to consider.
*Puts on a tinfoil hat*
I'll go on a limb and say that modernist "architecture" was designed to oppress the human spirit and crush hope. Have one standard NPC "human" slaves all, for our elites' eternity to rule over.
You're on to something with "designed." Nothing about it strikes me as a harmless architectural fad.
There is also a little something my dad who was an architect during the “not real communism” period in our country told me. The bureaucrats would kill every project that even remotely proposed aesthetics, and actively championed postmodernism, brutalism, etc. Even the monuments were in shapes going against everything beautiful or natural. When he asked one of the drunk technocrats, she told him they had a specific goal and that was to reshape the perception of the “new man”.
Wow. That is an amazing account. Worth a whole post in itself actually.
I find it fascinating how many aspects of society conspire to kill the human spirit. Postmodern cynicism has been a poison in our culture and I'm glad it seems to be receding.
Yes bang on Timothy.
I've nothing to contribute, I just wanted to say I totally agree, and that your writing is delightfully witty.
Thanks for stopping by.
Dear Ben, I appreciate your astute observation into what is taking place in the world of architecture. I understand you are speaking in relative generalities so bringing up specifics would be unfair. However, I do believe that done well many modernist pieces can be very humane, welcoming, enjoyable, and even warm to be within. Modernism along with brutalism being originated as a rebellion against authority, at the time particularly wicked authority, but nonetheless it was a rejection of all authority and rule of law. This beginning leas the style down an ugly road. But I don’t believe all modernism falls into inhumanity that you are discussing. When exercised with proper form the buildings produced I think can be quite enjoyable. I will say much of the style is poisoned with poor execution and structures that are “termite buildings” as Howard Kunstler will say. I appreciate your note on asceticism, I think we can learn lessons from this as the architecture that we think to be beautiful can quickly become idolatry. Creating beautiful human crafted things but not worshiping what we make; polls to be between as we seek to glorify our God.
Love,
P.S. forgive my syntax, I am not a writer.