Two researchers recently suggested that autism and post-traumatic stress disorder led to the minimalist stylings of Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius. Their questions and tools are useful, but there’s danger in mistaking one piece of a puzzle for its entirety.
The places we inhabit influence the way we see the world [...] Equally and inevitably, psychology has shaped architecture.
— citylab.com
Darran Anderson responds to the piece “The Mental Disorders that Gave Us Modern Architecture” by Ann Sussman and Katie Chen, arguing against their totalizing narrative of two influential figures and modernism as a whole.
Sussman and Chen suggest modernist architecture originated from autism in regard to Le Corbusier, and post-traumatic stress disorder in regard to Walter Gropius. The final argument is one against modernism, claiming its origin derives from mental dysfunction.
While it is interesting to consider a possible excuse for Le Corbusier's callousness or the effects of serving in WWI on Gropius, Anderson argues, "the evidence that modern architecture is founded on 'disorders' is highly questionable".
His response reveals an empathetic side to Le Corbusier, and delves into Gropius' immense achievements unimpeded by trauma. Read the full article and go deeper into Anderson's argument for modernism and two of its key figures.
13 Comments
Well, this sounds pretty half-baked.
Well, Adolf Loos was a convicted pedophile. He was caught molesting little girls. That is about as mentally ill as you can get.
Since when is it considered constructive to discredit the work of people because they have metal disorders?
And how can these writers reduce the history of a movement that spanned every creative discipline to just a few architects?
Its ludicrous.
Interesting points being made on Twitter about this.
What a bunch of clickbait horseshit. Gropius' Bauhaus modernism was largely a reaction to the horror of WWI and the quest for a utopian society through design.
Of course Corbu was mentally ill, an egotist sucking up to Hitler (but then again so many were as his 'success' attracted sycophants like flies).
This is a bit silly. Many of the early modernist masters where not so nice a fella, but so where architects of all stripes. The lack of humanity in modernism is self evident without digging into the psyche of these men.
Agree.
So-called modernism has been severely bastardized with complete disregard for its historical utopian ideals.
Yup, bunch of crazy ol fools.
I have to stifle a laugh whenever people defer to the authority of the DSM, but I'm always happy to be reminded of this fantastic book review of that tome as dystopian novel:
https://thenewinquiry.com/book...
If any of this were true, the depth, richness and mystery of Ronchamp would never have been possible. But it exists and it is beautiful.
Regarding Ronchamp, even a blind chicken occasionally finds a kernel of corn.
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