The debate about architecture typically boils down to a discussion of the quality and comparative excellence of specific solutions, leaving aside the question of the overarching purpose of the act of construction.
This traditional perspective is generally seen as benevolent and fundamentally unchanging, rooted in supporting life, manifesting collective and individual values, and creating something useful, durable, and beautiful. However, as buildings and other constructed structures increasingly dominate the planetary landscape, the notion of architecture's inherent "innocence" or "virtue" ceases to hold true. At its core, a problematic knot is discovered—a cluster of dark instinctiveness—requiring expression, careful analysis, and discussion. This lecture, titled "Architecture, Power, Violence," will present a sketch of an ongoing exploration of this theme, including a review of the historical precursors leading to its current relevance, as well as its interpretation in the context of various architectural and design ideologies of the past and present.
Language: Russian and Armenian.
