Charles Jencks: Postmodern Classicism & the new synthesis (November 5, 1980)

TL;DR

Charles Jencks discusses the evolution and impact of Postmodern Classicism.

Transcript

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Key Insights

• Charles Jencks outlines the historical context of Modernism, highlighting its split into Postmodernism and Late Modernism, emphasizing the latter's focus on aesthetics and sustainability.
• Postmodern architecture is characterized by its playful concepts, incorporation of classical elements, and exploration of disharmony, as seen in the works of architects like James Stirling and Robert A. M. Stern.
• Jencks critiques Modernism for its societal impact, noting how it often led to urban fragmentation and the creation of slums, using examples from Glasgow and London.
• Postmodern Classicism is defined by its use of semiotics and classical orders, aiming to create buildings that communicate meaning through architectural elements.
• The movement embraces primitiveness and kitsch, turning mass culture into a source of inspiration and challenging traditional notions of beauty.
• Jencks highlights the importance of urbanism in Postmodern architecture, with designs that focus on creating cohesive urban spaces and reconnecting with traditional street and piazza forms.
• Examples like Stirling's Stuttgart museum and Graves' Portland Building demonstrate the use of architectural semiotics, playful site investigations, and cost-effective construction methods in Postmodern Classicism.
• The evolution of Postmodern Classicism is marked by its pluralistic approach, allowing architects to blend classical and modern elements, creating a diverse and dynamic architectural language.

Questions & Answers

Q: What historical context does Charles Jencks provide for the development of Postmodernism?

Charles Jencks outlines the historical context of Modernism, noting its emergence in the 1920s as a consensus among architects like Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe, and Walter Gropius. He explains how Modernism eventually split into two branches: Postmodernism and Late Modernism, each with distinct focuses on aesthetics, society, and sustainability. Jencks critiques Modernism for its societal impact, particularly in urban planning, where it often led to the fragmentation of cities and the creation of slums.

Q: How does Jencks define Postmodern architecture?

Jencks defines Postmodern architecture as characterized by playful concepts, the incorporation of classical elements, and the exploration of disharmony and unease. He emphasizes the movement's focus on architectural semiotics, where buildings communicate meaning through their design. Postmodern architecture often challenges traditional notions of beauty, embracing primitiveness and kitsch to create a dynamic and diverse architectural language. Jencks cites works by architects like James Stirling and Robert A. M. Stern as examples of this style.

Q: What critiques does Jencks offer about Modernism?

Jencks critiques Modernism for its societal and aesthetic impacts, highlighting how it often led to urban fragmentation and the creation of slums. He uses examples from cities like Glasgow and London to illustrate how Modernist planning principles, such as the separation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, contributed to the decline of traditional urban spaces. Jencks argues that Modernism's focus on functionality and abstraction often resulted in unappealing, anonymous architecture that failed to engage with its surroundings or communicate meaning.

Q: How does Postmodern Classicism use semiotics and classical orders?

Postmodern Classicism uses semiotics and classical orders to create buildings that communicate meaning through their architectural elements. Jencks explains that this involves mapping modern functions and construction techniques onto classical systems of meaning, such as the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders. By doing so, Postmodern architects aim to create buildings that resonate with historical references while addressing contemporary needs. This approach contrasts with the Modernist focus on abstraction, emphasizing instead the importance of symbolism and communication in architecture.

Q: What role does primitiveness and kitsch play in Postmodern Classicism?

Primitiveness and kitsch play a significant role in Postmodern Classicism by challenging traditional notions of beauty and embracing mass culture as a source of inspiration. Jencks argues that by turning classicism into kitsch, Postmodern architects create a dynamic and diverse architectural language that resonates with contemporary society. This approach allows for a playful exploration of architectural elements, where buildings can communicate meaning through their design. Jencks cites examples like Venturi's work, which intentionally breaks classical canons to create new forms of expression.

Q: How does Postmodern Classicism address urbanism and traditional forms?

Postmodern Classicism addresses urbanism by focusing on creating cohesive urban spaces that reconnect with traditional street and piazza forms. Jencks highlights the importance of urbanism in Postmodern architecture, noting how architects like James Stirling and Robert A. M. Stern design buildings that form interesting urban spaces and relate to their surroundings. This approach contrasts with the Modernist emphasis on freestanding towers and slab blocks, which often fragmented cities. By incorporating classical forms and urban planning principles, Postmodern architects aim to create vibrant, engaging urban environments.

Q: What are some examples of Postmodern Classicism provided by Jencks?

Jencks provides several examples of Postmodern Classicism, including James Stirling's Stuttgart museum and Michael Graves' Portland Building. These buildings demonstrate the use of architectural semiotics, playful site investigations, and cost-effective construction methods in Postmodern Classicism. Stirling's museum, for example, uses traditional forms to create a cohesive urban space, while Graves' building incorporates classical ornamentation and symbolism to relate to its surroundings. Both examples highlight the movement's focus on creating buildings that communicate meaning and engage with their urban context.

Q: How does Jencks view the evolution of Postmodern Classicism?

Jencks views the evolution of Postmodern Classicism as marked by its pluralistic approach, allowing architects to blend classical and modern elements to create a diverse and dynamic architectural language. He notes that Postmodern Classicism has evolved through the 1970s, with architects like James Stirling and Michael Graves exploring new ways to incorporate classical elements and communicate meaning through their designs. This pluralism contrasts with the consensus of the 1920s, offering greater flexibility and creativity in addressing contemporary architectural challenges.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Charles Jencks provides a historical overview of the International Style and Modernism, noting its division into Postmodernism and Late Modernism. He critiques Modernism for its societal and aesthetic impacts, using examples from cities like Glasgow and London to illustrate its failures.

• Jencks defines Postmodern architecture as playful and classical, citing works by architects like James Stirling and Robert A. M. Stern. He discusses the role of semiotics and classical orders in Postmodern Classicism, emphasizing the movement's embrace of primitiveness and kitsch.

• The evolution of Postmodern Classicism is explored through examples like Stirling's Stuttgart museum and Graves' Portland Building, highlighting the movement's focus on urbanism, architectural semiotics, and cost-effective construction. Jencks concludes by noting the pluralistic nature of Postmodern Classicism.