Obama-ism
Saturday January 24, 2009
America's new president, Barack Obama, often talks about his interest in architecture. But, what architectural style does he favor?
Some say Classicism. After all, the Obamas' first house in Chicago was a Georgian Revival, and Obama chose to deliver his nomination acceptance speech on a stage decorated to resemble a Greek temple.
On the other hand, Obama has been credited for promoting both change and a return to old ideals. Perhaps he's a Postmodernist? What do you think?
- Architecture of Influence
- What Will Obama Build?
- Hope For Change We Can Look At (The Providence Journal)
- Obama's Architectural Agenda (The Providence Journal)
- What Building Would Barack Obama Be? (Hello Beautiful! by Edward Lifson)
Comments
“On the other hand, Obama has been credited for promoting both change and a return to old ideals. Perhaps he’s a Postmodernist? What do you think?”
Clever assessment. I am not sure if the money being dropped into infrastructure will go toward building many new structures but if it does I think you’re dead on.
The public at large is generally a lot more comfortable with classical and postmodern 9with classical nods) architecture. I think if the feds gave money to anything a little more avant guard there would be public outcry.
I think Tuesday, January 20, 2009, Obama’s inauguration date, is very similar to March 16, 1972, the date of the demolition of “Pruitt-Igoe” of St. Louis, Missouri that marked the day Modern architecture died. I think this day marks the end of “deconstructionism” and a start of a paradigm shift, and big CHANGE, to a more peaceful, constructive, humane, culturally sensitive paradigm and sustainable. His understanding and recognition of global ills; economic, environmental, socio-cultural that accumulated during the last 8+ years is a first step towards a cure through an attitude of “positive” change. Obama’s architecture is not a specific “style”, “fashion”, or “new-look” architecture – not even an “old-look” – as the ones produced by the “Starchitects” for promoting “Marketicture.” It is all architecture that recognizes people, environment and economy in a more meaningful way. It is definitely “Sustainable Architecture” 3 E’s: Environment, Economy and equity. Don’t wait for an “ism” rather look for an essence.