KMO Jencks Pre-Class

Wikipedia defines anthropomorphism as “the attribution of uniquely human characteristics and qualities to non-human beings, inanimate objects, or natural or supernatural phenomena.” In her post, Bella discussed how she saw many examples of anthropomorphisms in Barcelona, Spain. This immediately reminded me of when I traveled to Italy and saw many similar forms of architecture.

On page 290 Jencks states, “Artists such as Eduardo Paolazzi and Robert Graham have sought a deeper collaboration that starts near the beginning of design, so that their work can be modified as it progresses.” He later goes on to discuss that only if the initial kinks are worked out of the original form, will the architecture ever grow to be meaningful to society. As soon as I read this I immediately thought back to our first day of class. In the agricultural age we simply had the coffee bean. As time progressed we eventually found ourselves in the post-modern era with options such as coffee makers, Maxwell coffee and Starbucks. Every great idea begins with a foundation, just as all architecture begins with an idea.

Jencks also states, “The great advantage and delight of multivalence in the continual reinterpretation it prompts, a result of the multiple links between the work and its setting. This unlimited semiosis (the continual discovery of new meaning in works that are rich in external and internal associations) is characteristic of both postmodernism and inclusive art in general.” As intricate a design in architecture may be, the original form remain simple. It is possible that the combination of old and new mixing together to create a post-modern revolution, is our door to new possibilities.

In connection to previous readings I found something Macherey said very applicable to this situation. He states, “Are there books which say what they mean without depending directly on other books.” In my opinion, the future of all technology and knowledge depends on what the past has taught us. Therefore implying that previous architecture and ideas are what give present and future designs meaning.