Marc (a):
>Do you see him as riding the coatails of Eisenman and the others, or is he
>really advancing the discourse by going out and experimenting by building?
spN: Johnson is a great appreciator. He always admitted that he wasn't a
great designer, but to be sure, he found his own place by being a
facilitator: Modernism, PM, Decon and now Topology. It is amazing to look
out of his oval office window and see that all within its framework he has
some influence over. Johnson has helped Peter financially in the past
(this is well documented). So there is a mutuality. Philip is the one guy
you want your ideas stolen by. His influence over architecture will never
be surpassed.
>
>I've always had a level of respect for the guy, if for no other reason than
>it doesn't seem tobother him that he is so disliked. He's comfortable in what
>he does, though I don't think I could ever let him off the hook for some of
> those gawdawful corporate monstrosities.
spN: not to defend him but he is honored by those around him. The snide
remarks we all make as undergrads is indicative of the tendancy to practice
our roles as cultural critics. But few get far enough to even publish those
critiques much less formulate a clear idea about architecture. Yes, Philip
loves the controversey. He might have learned that from Warhol I am not
sure. While we have him around, I would think twice about dismissing him.
So, Stephen, does Topological Architecture/Hypersurface go
>beyond metaphor itself? Is the next step no shelter (therefore no division,
>absolute connection) at all?
spN: Yes, absolutely. The current systems of representation (Euclidian
Geom etc.) are displaced into a more relativistic temporality or what I
call: spacetimeinformation. The result is where the Surreal becomes the
everyday. Just look at those Pepsi commmercials. Metaphor is necessary or
there is no meaning. Decon tried to show how meaning requires a very
complex and active underpinning (language) to exist at all. This is where
decon is most misunderstood. In effect, the topological is a move to bring
that fluxing pre-condition of complexity ...to the surface, so to speak.
Thus Hypersurface.
>
>We are the Light at that point?
spN: Light is the move toward dematerializing construction. It prepares
the way for new conditions of Infrastructure (god's reapearance). It is my
best consideration to suggest that this light construction will facilitate
the new human intersubjectivity now brewing up, as in the internet, etc....
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Marc (b)
Stephen and listies,
Sounds like an interesting and challenging idea, especially as I am currently
considering affordable housing as my BArch thesis topic. Do we want to
establish any guidelines?
spN: I would like to see a few more list-L's factor into the equation.
[IGOR, THIS IS A GOOD CHANCE TO EXPLORE YOUR IDEA OF PROCEEDURAL ART]
(Igor is a friend and artist who I met through being published in WIRED in
93. We have been in touch all this time only through email and I am going
to meet him soon in Sweeden as he has kindly invited me to lecture there.
He has some really interesting work going on, I hope you all cruise his web
site:
http://www.algonet.se/~livinga/home.html E:igor@xxxxxxxxxxxx)
--------
Trailer home or panelized or stickbuilt? sp: trailer
Urban infill or suburban? sp: transport
infrastructure by the roadside
Level of theoretical engagement (i.e. topological v. historical)? sp:
topological of course
User group profiling?---> let's look at existing situations and propose
betterment
program? one trailer park, say 100 to 200 units. pack the amenities
Budget? units start at 25,000.
Creative financing? let's hear from our Lawyer friend Livengoo
Level of environment-friendliness? continuity.....
and on and on...
Anyone interested?
Mark, spN, ___________
Stephen Perrella
Columbia University