The wild, delirious ride that architecture has been on for the last decade looks as if it’s finally coming to an end. And after a visit to the Chanel Pavilion (by Zaha Hadid) that opened Monday in Central Park, you may think it hasn’t come soon enough. NYT | Slideshow | A/N Blog
4 Comments
Nice scathing critique of the spectacle of consumerism. And a great quote for the day/week/election cycle:
Opening the pavilion in Central Park only aggravates the wince factor. Frederick Law Olmsted planned the park as a great democratic experiment, an immense social mixing place as well as an instrument of psychological healing for the weary. The Chanel project reminds us how far we have traveled from those ideals by dismantling the boundary between the civic realm and corporate interests.
Outside of all the marketing and political questions, I *do* like the form, but one quibble. The materials change from hard fiberglass to stretched textile is uncomfortable. It's trying to look like one material, but not succeeding. better, IMO, to celebrate the difference.
I had a similar issue with the Nordpark stations: the super-sleek curved panels were an uncomfortable contrast with the posts that held them up off the concrete bases. Zaha's CAC, on the other hand, is all a similar level of rawness, and absolutely perfect.
Interesting. A critical review. Seems like a conscious effort to change tones.
9/11 was supposed to change us. We were to become kinder, gentler, more understanding, less selfcentered. well, that lasted about 3 weeks and all we got out of it was that hideious god bless america song being sung at ballgames. so this economic meltdown, which is now being heralded as the event that will change our views of conspicuous consumption, will have about the same impact. as gas prices fall and the stock market eventually regains a heartbeat we will all be down at the mall, or at the local corner knockoff vendor, grabbing up our burberry, chanel, d and g labeled accesories to give us back our meaning. oh and zaha the Martians request you quit ripping off their forms. or they are gonna vaporize your ass.
Actually, vado, I think I've decided I'm going to start sewing my own clothing.
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.