Not a place I expected to see the discussion of how ugly modern architecture is. Unfortunately the author doesn’t hit on the real reason, which is a world view with metaphysical meaning vs an atheistic world view…
CMAA not a place you expected to see that discussion? You may not have been here when the Taj Mahony opened.
Or maybe you meant www.barstools.com in which case it's nice to encounter anyone, anywhere, who has a proper reaction to the 'statement' the modern ugliness makes, even in secular buildings... language aside.
This Canadian pop-culture commentator offers an introduction to the idea of classifying art works according to three periods: pre-modern (prior to 1870 or so), modern (1870 to around 1980, maybe), and post-modern (recent). https://youtu.be/8xprzqBFv1M
In this interpretation (which is pretty standard), works of the 'modern' era were ruled by the idea that 'form follows function': decorative features and high craftsmanship weren't needed any more.
This video tells how a run-down suburb of Paris dominated by concrete-block public housing changed when a determined mayor and a city architect used "gentle architecture" to humanize the city: https://youtu.be/XfonhlM6I7w
Thanks Chonak, that second video is great! I’ll watch the first when I have more time.
I have some dear Dutch friends who taught me a lot about beauty in their whole approach to life. The beauty of tulip gardens, music, and churches is so consonant with the beauty of traditional morality. My Protestant upbringing missed that in some ways.
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