Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Glossary:
Theatre- a lens or sphere of enactment, a metaphor for [inter]actions in the city
Age of Excess- the indulgent product of modernization, which is characterized by a lack of concern for function and sustainability, and the disappearance of public space due to late capitalism’s
promotion of mass consumption of goods and information
Infrastructure- physical/cyber organizational structures needed for the operation of the public
Event- a social occasion or occurrence, typically planned to promote awareness of a cause, agenda, celebration, etc – different than intervention
Intervention- an action or response as a result of something, a motive or agenda influences this action, infrastructure for an event
Crisis- “Crisis is a turning point, a decisive moment when tensions or instabilities peak, and change becomes inescapable. Crisis implies the questioning of beliefs and habits, it demands adjust-
ment in perception and in modes of action… doubts regarding current models of urban development…architecture can’t carry on as usual.” -Verb:Crisis
Spectacle- (1) a framing device through which to view something anew (2) attention-seeker (3) absurd or surreal display
Thesis contention: I am reintroducing the concept of the “city as theatre” in order to address the crisis of the loss of public space, which is a result of
excessive privateness (due to the economic engine). Can superimposition techniques and event-making, through the medium of architecture and infra-
structure, allow for private to coexist with public? The design intention is a marriage of architecture and infrastructure for public behavior: demonstration,
performance, and informal encounters.
Thesis Abstract
Lewis Mumford defined the city as a theater of interacting social and physical forces: “The city Berlin has cultivated an avant-garde arts scene, reminiscent of 1980s New York. For-
creates the theater and is the theater. It is in the city, the city as theater, that man’s more ward-thinking art and design has a home in Berlin. This anxious and rough persona has
purposive activities are focused, and work out, through conflicting and co-operating person- become Berlin’s, historically appropriate, post-wall identity. The fate of 1980s New York is
alities, events, groups into more significant culminations” (Mumford 185). paralleled with the AIDS epidemic and mostly the “Disneyfication” of the city by the Giuliani
administration. Berlin is in a similar predicament as New York was in the early 90’s. Re-
As a member of the Crisis City collaborative, I will conduct research and share critiques searching New York as a parallel for a similar condition that has been played out could provide
amongst my classmates in the hopes of producing a unique perspective on the city in crisis. a cautionary tale or reveal a new view on gentrification.
My thesis will explore public space in the city as theatre. Rem Koolhaas names the current Currently, developers are hoping to turn this sacrosanct site into a major commercial
urban situation, The Generic City (Avermaete 63). Cities have become bland and confused real estate property. The “I Support Tacheles” website claims that the building attracts a “high
places where social interaction remains low during the “Age of Excess”. Jürgen Habermas number of visitors [and is] an economic cornerstone of the district”. They are demanding
stated, “the opportunity for the public to form their own opinions is a necessary condition of “the small plot of the Kunsthaus transfer by lease to a public foundation – Tacheles secure”.
human freedom and emancipation” (Avermaete 27). I am reintroducing the concept of the Tearing down Tacheles, a cultural and even tourist destination, and shifting it to a commercial
“city as theatre” in order to address the crisis of the loss of public space, which is a result development further promotes the generic city.
of excessive behavior (mass consumption). Can superimposition and event-making through In terms of design methodology, I believe architecture that produces events and pro-
the medium of architecture allow for private to coexist with public? Urban architecture must gram superimpositions could be effective. Thus, the study of transprogramming options’ in-
provide function as well as accommodate the offentlichkeit, or public sphere (Avermaete 26). fluence on public space may become critical for design solutions. Inherently, collage and
The design intention is a marriage of architecture and infrastructure for public behavior: dem- montage will become representational and design techniques, taking cues from Bernard Ts-
onstration, performance, and informal encounters. There is typically a tension between the chumi. Urban interventionist, Julia Mandle, is similar to that of a comedian, à la Jon Stewart.
two; however, they must unite in order to create a true public architecture –contrary to paying Both draw attention in an absurd manner to the obvious. Perhaps that is where the concept
for public space. The project will be informed by an analysis at the scale of the city, the archi- of spectacle (or the absurd) plays into my thesis. Spectacle might become a framing device
tecture and infrastructure, and the event or small-scale intervention. for understanding and promoting urban social interaction. Events for Julia Mandle create
As a result of my architectural contention, I have identified a site and situation that best awareness of one’s surroundings and a sense of belonging in a space due to its interactive
represents the crisis I have addressed above. Berlin, particularly the old Tacheles (Yiddish nature. Events for Bernard Tschumi “affirm that there is no architecture without action or
for plain talk) department store in former East Berlin, represents a city and culture at odds without program, and that architecture’s importance resides in its ability to accelerate soci-
with commercial development. Squatters have infiltrated the abandoned Tacheles building ety’s transformation through a careful agencing of spaces and events” (Tschumi 11). Events
(bombed out during WWII, yet remains intact with visible scars), reappropriating it as a Kunst- can become nodes of activity on an architectural site. They might be unprogrammed space
haus. Squatters have flourished in post-wall Berlin. The movement galvanized fresh off the with infrastructure, which encourages a dynamic individualized experience, tailored to one’s
opening of the wall, when East Berliners inundated the west looking for opportunity, therefore desires and medium of expression.
emptying many buildings and prompting debates of possession and public domain. Today, I believe my topic of interest has been understudied in the past and is gaining more
most squatters manage activities for artists and political groups in these derelict buildings. momentum as people realize due to urban convergence, cities will serve as mediators by
Artists at Tacheles confront the concept of public domain. The site becomes a public space which humanity will be defined and shaped. Architecture’s role is of great importance be-
for not only artists but also visitors. cause we can no longer solely rely upon political agencies to effectively resolve crisis in our
Berlin is a palimpsest or layering of history. It is a collage of pre and post event chaotic cities. Cities are growing and public space is diminishing.
schizophrenia. Significant political and social crises have plagued the city, particularly in the
20th century. Berlin never had a moment to exhale between the end of WWII and the start of
the Cold War. The city was physically and politically divided from that point until 1989. With
reunification, Berlin confronted a city in ruins, which led to uncertainty when it came time for
reconstruction.
Public Space
Existing Public Space
Square/Piazza Park
Sphere of enactment
Age of Excess
Collective Privatization
18,830,000 ft2
empty office space = 2/3
of Tiergarten
Industry 16%
0 - 4%
4 - 8%
8 - 12%
12 - 25%
Service 84% 25% & over
City boundaries
Municipal districts Brandenburg Gate
-Not-for-profit artist space, gallery in lower east side, NYC -Architecture is the major public space of the city
-Went through similar crisis as Tacheles -It is a city square and functional building
-Superimposition
-Decontextualizing
-Collage
-Transprogramming
-Spatial Storyboarding
INFRASTRUCTURE
SQUATTERS
Julia Mandle
INVESTORS/
Event Example: Chalking the city becomes a diagram for understand- GOVERNMENT
Spectacle ing urban flows & circulation while simultaneously acting as an ARCHITECTURE
event with an absurd tone
vs. vs.