Many and baroque have been the scandals that have toppled Illinois politicians. Rod Blagojevich, the most recent governor to be sent to prison, is behind bars for trying to sell the remaining years of Barack Obama’s Senate term. But Aaron Schock, who announced his resignation on March 17th as Republican congressman for the state’s 18th district, is the first to be felled by an over-talkative interior designer. — the Economist
'Rep. Aaron Schock of Illinois's 18th Congressional district is probably better known for showing off his abs on the cover of Men's Health (see below) than for any actual legislating. At 33, Schock holds the title of the third-youngest US representative, at least until the end of this month when he will resign.
Already a controversial figure for his (perhaps too) media-friendly presence, the muscular young politician became embroiled in a veritable firestorm after an unfortunate, chance encounter between his interior decorator and a Washington Post reporter.
"Bright red walls. A gold-colored wall sconce with black candles. A Federal-style bull’s-eye mirror with an eagle perched on top. And this is just the Illinois Republican’s outer office," describes Ben Terris in a recent article for the Post. When Terris ran into the woman responsible for the ornate décor, she told him, “It’s actually based off of the red room in ‘Downton Abbey,’" the popular British show that depicts the waning years of the (thoroughly un-democratic) British aristocracy at the advent of the 20th century.
Long story short, some investigations followed and it turns out that Schock has a propensity for opulence in all manners, even if its paid for with questionable means. USA Today reports that his office spent: "$100,000 on office renovations, used campaign funds for personal trips and was receiving mileage reimbursements for far more than his vehicle could have been driven." Other media have reported: "new cars, tickets to the Super Bowl and Country Music Awards, as well as cufflinks, massage, "gold equipment" and cigars," purchased with public or campaign money.
The French historian and political philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville once wrote, "The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money." Sounds about right. Schlock's slick image – including work-out videos – may have come out of your pay-check!
Incidentally, this isn't the first Washington scandal involving duplitecture these days. After garnering criticism following a slew of security breaches and drunk-driving accidents by Secret Service agents, the agency declared they need a duplicate White House to conduct training exercises. More on that here.
Note: Technically, the Schock's office isn't an exact duplicate of the parlor in Downtown Abbey, just inspired by it. #Esquetecture, anyone? I guess that's most architecture...
14 Comments
The interior decorator's company is actually called Euro Trash . Unbelievable.
I was coming here to post exactly that, davvid. IMO it's a terrible name for a design company, because all I can imagine is David Lowery singing Euro Trash Girl.
If we're talking "downfall," shouldn't the photos posted be of the checks he (mis)used to pay for the work?
Red walls aren't the crime (except here on Archinect), but the source of funds is, as I understand it. And the word is "mimicry," not duplitecture. Seriously, Nicholas, let me buy you a dictionary.
Well at least they didn't name the company, Tacky as Shit.
No, citizen, the word is duplitecture.
No, the word is mimicry.
/ˈmɪmɪkrɪ/
noun (pl) -ries
1. the act or art of copying or imitating closely; mimicking
But that's only if you're looking for actual words in use, by people, in accepted form.
If you're interested in inventing words just for fun, and creating a webpage that pretends to bestow some kind of legitimacy, by all means, use your term.
Some people like to make up words for fun, and some people like to spend a big chunk of their lives trolling websites they pretend to not appreciate.
Whatever you say, dear...
No worse than Design Bitches.
Abs or no abs, this is yet another reminder that modernism will rarely get you into trouble, whereas that opulent classicism is a dead giveaway.
@Citizen, Sorry I should have linked to our on-going Archinect's Lexicon, which included an article on duplitecture. The term was coined by Bianca Bosker in her 2013 book, Original Copies: Architectural Mimicry in Contemporary China. It has also been employed by such media as 99% Invisible, the Atlantic, KCRW, Slate, and others.
For someone who so actively thumbs through dictionaries, I'm surprised you aren't aware of a word just a few entries before 'mimicry': neologism. Invented and re-worked words are present in almost every working language. They are integral to the fluidity that is requisite for language to operate, to move in new ways, to unearth new potentials for meaning. This is particularly true in English, which doesn't have a designated body – like some other languages – to regulate the introduction of neologisms (although the Oxford Dictionary sometimes assumes a version of this role, last year "officially" adding "vape" to the English language.) It is that very fluidity that led authors like Josef Conrad and Vladimir Nabokov to the English language. The latter's most famous book makes active use of neologisms: Lolita is assuredly not a nymph, she is a nymphet and Humbert Humbert is a nympholept. Same goes for philosophy: much of J. Derrida's work consists of the invention of new terms, from différance to hauntology.
Perhaps, if you would like to buy me a dictionary, I will buy you an Etymological Guide. Then you might pause before using words such as "bump," "obscene," "swagger," or "luggage" – all neologisms of Shakespeare. In fact, sometime in the 17th century, mimicry was a neologism, the re-tooling of a word that originally referred to "a buffoon who practices gesticulations." (hehehe)
I'd tell you to Google it, but then I might be bestowing some kind of legitimacy to another made-up word.
PS: Neologisms are particularly important within internet culture, obviously, in part to describe never before experienced phenomenon. The same, in my opinion, should go for architecture.
Easy, Nicholas, looks like I hit an exposed nerve... I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.
Oh my @citizen, I have only words to play with! If you can't stand the heat... refrain from snark you can't back up ;-)
The congress man joins a long line of Illinois public servants who after public office continue to serve (prison time) 5 of the last 7 governors congressman Jackson, and more city of Chicago alderman and lesser officials than can fit on an EL train
In most states governors serve 4 year terms but in Illinois ours serve 10-20 with good behavior, except Quinn he managed to not stay in office long enough to be indited, yet
We will have to ask the cash strapped state to spring for a special election in April so the gift of congressman Shock just keeps on giving.
When will these people learn that they can not get away with it, what ever they want to do, sexually harass kids working as pages, not showing up for their job, stealing public or campaign money, taking bribes, selling senate seats, speeding, drunk driving, drug abuse, adultery, or other shitty things they come up with.
Who do these people think they are? Don't they watch TV someone is always listening
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.