Architecture of Normal : The Colonization of the American Landscape

Auteur(s) :

Kaven, Daniel (1977-....) Découvrir l'auteur

Résumé

Une exploration multimédia de la morphologie de l'architecture dans le sud-ouest américain telle que définie par l'évolution des modes de transport. En examinant les progrès des transports, le livre demande comment nous en sommes venus à accepter le paysage monotone, isolant et esthétiquement en faillite de la banlieue. Il jette également des prédictions sur l'apparence du futur paysage bâti alors qu'il continue de s'adapter aux modèles de mouvement humain.
"A striking dissonance exists between the overwhelming American landscape and the underwhelming architecture of its strip malls, fast food chains, motels and tract housing. In an undertaking that is part travelogue, art book and architectural survey, "Architecture of normal" charts the patterns created by reigning modes of transportation and examines how people came to accept the bland, branded boxes lining America's streets and freeways as architecture. Beginning with a portrait of ambulatory Native American societies and the introduction of horses by the spaniards, Kaven discusses the built environment shaped by trains, cars, planes and rockets, and looks toward a future architecture defined by autonomous cars and air taxis. This highly visual narrative includes extensive historical photography and Daniel Kaven's own art." (4e de couv.)