LightningBolt, Jencks

Jencks makes an interesting comparison between postmodernism and “classical rules.”

“These canons are not universally held by postmodernists and some are contingent upon the momentary historical situation arising after Modernism. They thus contrast with the older notion of classical rules in being understood as relative rather than absolute, responses to a world of fragmentation, pluralism and inflation rather than formulae to be applied indiscriminately.” (281/ 281)

What we have learned about postmodernism so far only helps to reaffirm this statement. Unlike modernism or a more classical time period, postmodernism seems to have a loose, fill in the blank, any thing goes, mind set. As we have seen with tmesis postmodernist value the importance of creativity and invention. I was a bit surprised when Jencks first offered a collection of set rules to define and understand our architecture. I then realized that even Jencks himself was just offering these as guidelines, and as he says they are relative not absolute.

Another part of Jencks article that was particularly interesting to me was his 3rd rule, It was most interesting to me because I do not fully understand it. He begins by referring to urbane urbanism, which I assumed was referring to a city. He talks about the combination of old and new and finding a balance that keeps the city functional yet savors some of the old beauty. At the end of the paragraph I believe Jencks is referring to a theorist named Krier’s when he says, “The urbane way of life is simply better than s the dissociated and ovrcentralised city.” (285) I understand that presenting both sides of an argument is the proper way to express your theories; however, Jencks does nothing to discredit this thought or further explain why his way of old and new combination in cities creates a perfect atmosphere.