the [not 1000] masters' plan
2002.09.07 11:54
Before reading Muschamp's "Don't Rebuild, Reimagine" I first viewed the online presentation The Masters' Plan--THINKING BIG: A PLAN FOR GROUND ZERO AND BEYOND. One aspect of the presentation struck me, but I didn't quite know how to describe what I felt. Then I read the article, and Muschamp himself already wrote the words I was looking for--"Some of the West Street projects will appear bizarre or perhaps self-indulgent to those unfamiliar with contemporary architecture." Muschamp quickly adds, "But this is not a lineup of architectural beauty contestants."
First of all, even a familiarity with contemporary architecture does not eliminate the presence of "self-indulgence." Secondly, Muschamp is being disingenuous when he says "this is not a lineup of architectural beauty contestants" because that is exactly what is being presented. It can even be said that the whole presentation indeed surpasses the demand for attention that comes with beauty contestants.
OK, I'll be fair and admit that finally there is now a second online virtual museum of architecture.
quondam: from the Latin, once, at one time, formerly; at times, sometimes, once in a while; some day, one day (in the future)
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