at downtown library: The Architecture of Happiness—slideshow presentation and reading—then writer Alain de Botton in conversation with Christopher Hawthorne, architecture critic for LA Times.
ideas from Alain:
- “are we different people in different places?”
- our tastes sometimes have to do with what we’re lacking in life (ex. minimalist, basic kitchen appeals to Alain, with his cluttered life)
- architecture=”most communal of all the arts”
- architecture reflects politics of a country
- modern architecture: use building to express chaos in society/resolve it? ugly vs. beautiful
other things he spoke of:
- glass museum, Toledo, OH
- congestion fee in London
- Hermann Goering: Nazi with beautiful house and artwork; aesthetics and values (slide)
- John Pawson & minimalist architecture (slide)
- architecture of churches (slides)
- Alain: L.A. is a city that separates–if you’re in danger of isolation/alienation it will be worse; L.A. separates b/c of cars–not ever in proximity with people
- Christopher: Ambassador Hotel–when talked to people about it being torn down, people thought it was OK to knock down because it was to be replaced by school and a school would do more than a building ever would
los angeles:
The book’s claims may be a bit of a stretch (“The failure of architects to create congenial environments mirrors our inability to find happiness in other areas of our lives.” p. 248); however, it contains some great images and information. de Botton also touches upon art and furniture–his claims seem to extend to all the aesthetics of our lives–how everything affects and reflects our happiness.
see also, boldtype interview