I really enjoy the
architectural commentary in the Guardian. Oliver Wainwright brings me a little
bit of joy every week and this week is no exception.
It entertains Mr P no end to ask as we’re walking around
hand in hand, ‘is that building brutalist?’ and have me explain that whatever
he is pointing at is in no way as innovative as a true concretopian masterpiece.
I tried to book us in to the excellent looking tour by the National Trust
around iconic brutalist buildings with in London, but unfortunately this last 6
months and future year has turned in to weddingageddon and I have to spend
every spare minuet calculating my money and holiday on traveling and preening
and biodegradable confetti. I swear, after this year, there cannot be anyone
left to get married! Anyway, it sold out
in a flash (I like to tell myself) and I’ll just have to be content with
staring at the happy robot face of the Southbank Center on my own.
In this article Wainwright is referring to the new book by Barnabas Calder, Raw Concrete: the Beauty of Brutalism. The book appears to be referring
to Calder’s main interest in the buildings is as
fascinating objects of art history. While he raises, he doesn’t entirely answer
the central issue of brutalism. Was it about a new social order for the benefit
of working people? Or was it just a bunch of boys using state money for their
personal artistic gratification?
Non conclusion aside, Wainwright
ensures me that the book is an engaging and accessible guide for those drawn
towards these ex-monstrosities, and for those who wonder what it’s all about.
Maybe I should invest in it for Mr P.
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