Monday, November 28, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Alone In The City
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Berlin, Week 6: Blending?
As the birthplace of the 1989 uprisings against the GDR, Leipzig has many physical reminders of the communist government’s decades of power. Compared to Berlin, it is a town much more dominated by structures clearly built well before World War II. Still, though, on nearly every block stands a daunting creation of GDR leaders (One example seen in the first photo, in the city center). On my walks around Leipzig, I found my questions of “why” the buildings of East Germany echoed the Stalinist designs of the Soviet Union were pushed aside as I tried to make sense of whether or not an attempt was made to blend this style with what already stood in the city.
Behind the famous St. Nicholas Church is a block of buildings nestled together, and relatively blended in with the surrounding urban landscape. It was not until our guide pointed out one of the buildings in the row that I noticed it was very different from the rest, both in age and overall design (seen in the second image). Once pointed out, the building looked clearly like one that would have been built under the GDR, yet there were elements in its design that were obviously meant to subdue its ties with modernism and help it to blend in with the designs of the past. Its design was based around three aspects almost never seen in constructivist and Stalinist architecture. It was relatively low-rise, standing 7-stories tall and just inches above its direct neighbor. The newer building was also painted very neutral, subtle colors that did not bring attention to themselves. Finally, it featured a pitched roof that matched its surroundings, rather than the typical boxed, flat roof. At this point I began to wonder why Leipzig’s urban landscape was given a level of respect not shared with Berlin.
I never really developed a theory that there was a Leipzig master construction design plan under the GDR that dictated new buildings must blend into existing ones because some of my first impressions of the city center were monstrous mid-rise block buildings that often “stole the show” from the charming pre-war buildings below (such as the one in the third image). Even modern day construction in Leipzig seems to be caught somewhere in the middle. The skeleton of the new mall being built makes it look like it will be as overbearing and unconcerned with its surroundings as the worst of the communist buildings, yet public mock ups brag that it will feature a façade that pays respect to the past, and helps the building not stand out as an example of extreme capitalism.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Berlin Week 5: Purpose of Communist Architecture
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Berlin, Week 4: Artistic Expression
Monday, October 17, 2011
Berlin: Week 3
Berlin is all about re-inventing itself. From Schinkel's use of revival architecture in a search for new individuality,to coping with the dark past in the National Socialist movement, the city has created new meaning, both intentional and by chance, in its works of construction. This is true both in the new and the old.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Berlin: Week 2
Often times in Berlin, I am too caught up in the Nazi and Soviet past to fully appreciate the rich royal history that came long before. On a day trip to Pfaueninsel (Peacock Island), we were immersed in purely Prussian history. After being established by Frederick William I and used by Johann Kunckel as a glass foundry, the island served as the pleasure ground for Prussian King Frederick William II starting in the late 18th century. He and his wife had a small castle built (shown in first image) on the island that was designed as an artificial ruin.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Group #3 Exploration: Flak Tower
Flak Towers were used by the German Luftwaffe after 1940. They served as a defense against Allied air raids entering any of the cities they guarded with anti-aircraft weaponry. The one in Berlin’s Volkspark Humboldthain was one of three guarding the capital. It was designed by Albert Speer as part of his “Inner Ring of Defense”. This particular tower was a “first generation” Flak Tower that was laid out like a square with a small tower at each corner.
Though this tower was in the West, the Soviet’s attempted to destroy it during the occupation. Because of this, half of the tower, whose walls can be up to 3 meters thick, was destroyed, leaving only two of the four towers.
Today the Volkspark Humboldthain Flak Towers have been made into a historical monument. You can go to the top of the towers and see a panoramic view of the city. There are tours through the bunkers below, but it was closed today. While we were up at the towers there was a group of people tight rope walking between the towers. People were also repelling down the sides of the towers. It was interesting to see how this WWII air raid defense system has been completely reclaimed by the people as a public park.
In a very real way the Flak Towers and the surrounding area are much in line with the idea of Berlin as a city of ruins. Particularly striking is the feeling one gets while standing on the top, feeling as though one was sitting on an ancient abandoned fortress – imbued with the thought that this bulwark has already lasted the test of time.
Supplementing this thought is the picturesque Rose Garden one finds nearby. Cultivated in a secluded space just off the main trail, its architectural surroundings leave one with the impression that, perhaps on a sunny day, one could be enjoying the garden in the ruins of an old Roman estate in Tuscany. With its classically columned arbor and stone walls covered in vegetation, when one sits down and overlooks the scene it is hard not to feel transported away from Berlin and into a land far older.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Berlin: Week 1
Leaving Humboldt on our first meeting in our classroom, the beautiful weather made the decision to take an educational walk back to the apartments an easy decision for my room mates and I. By chance, I stumbled upon an adequite map before leaving the university and plotted a course that took us past many of the Mitte's main attractions. A pleasant walk "Unter den Linden" lead us to the famous Berliner Dom and Altes Museum, both buildings I had studied in prior architecture history courses. The top image, capturing the Berliner Dom dating back to the 15th century, followed by the TV tower, a symbol of Berlin under the GDR, and the information center for the renovation of the old Prussian palace is typical of the way the city of Berlin can, in itself, be a historical text. It shows it's resilience and evolution through monarchies, fascism, communism, and a renewed value of it's history.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
TA Lead: Wealth and Commonwealth
In Wealth and Commonwealth Henry Lloyd critiques the capitalist system that creates wealth, only to breed greed. He claims that, while “nature is rich”, humans everywhere throughout time have been poor. This paradox is due to a flawed system. He believes that there are enough resources to create a comfortable, wealthy life for all. Lloyd appeals to his audiences logic by suggesting that only so much is needed for one person to live a “wealthy” life and that having too much is just as bad as having too little. He reasons that the strive for competition drives the economy and creates liberty, but that the wealth that comes from it destroys liberty. He also touches the heart strings of his audience by arguing that there are enough resources on Earth to provide the global population with comfort and freedom even greater than that of the most idealistic utopian societies ever dreamt up. By stating that our society will not be destroyed from barbarians from below, but rather by those from above, Lloyd makes another emotional appeal while also displaying his character. The statement strikes questioning, if not fear, into those concerned about the direction of society and shows that he strongly believes in the need for greater equality. The author makes a very convincing argument calling for the need to spread the wealth. In particular, pointing out the fact that such a small minority controls such a huge portion of the wealth, while others are starving. He also clearly shows respect for what industry can do by noting that it does create wealth for society but those in control choose to hoard it. He could do better, though, in making a call to action by focusing his efforts toward the factory owners and monopoly-men he is critiquing.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
TA Lead: Speech to a White Audience
Chief Joseph is arguing against the injustice of his band of Nez Perce indians being forcibly removed from their land in Oregon. He asserts that no group of men has the right to tell another what to do and that land cannot be owned like an object, saying that any person can go where he pleases. The Wallowa Chief appeal to his audiences emotion by reminding them that the land they are being forced to leave has been their home for generations; it is where they were born and where their ancestors are buried. He also describes the admirable qualities of his father, the Chief before him, and tells of his honest, peaceful struggle to remain on the land. He uses his calm and peaceful attitude to show that though he has faced negative experiences with white men, he remains accepting and simply hopes to use logic to fight his case. This article is very historically significant because it is a clear example of how the Willowa people sought only peace in finding an alternative solution to the demands of relocation they were faced with. It serves as evidence for the alternate route that was not followed before a deadly battle. The author makes a logical argument for peace and was able to win certain concessions for his people, however, it was mostly ineffective because he did not get the harmonious neighbor relationship with white settlers that he believed was possible. He never truly addressed the real issues of those he was opposing. They did not want to live amongst natives and wanted full control of the land.