Radical Post-Modernism and Content: Charles Jencks and Rem Koolhaas Debate the Issue

It was interesting to have a different style of text; I found it generally easier to relate to as they were having a conversation. It meant the text was split up therefore easier to read, and easier to take in. The debate between the two is about the Venice Biennale, Reviving Surrealism. The questions being asked does put Koolhaas in an uneasy situation, he challenges him with difficult arguments. They speak about post modernism. Described as the ‘future of the past’ by Jencks. The Venice Biennale is a contemporary exhibition in Venice which the International Architecture exhibition began in 1980. The debate speaks about this year, which is of great interest to Jencks and Koolhaas. The exhibition also featured the work of Koolhaas himself who is speaking within this debate.

The ‘future of the past’ saying is something that does not fit with Koolhaas at all. He argues back to Jencks saying that it was very difficult to design a facade, and this being something he focused on predominantly through the whole of his career. He has a large interest with the interior space which is now something he has shown greatly through his work since.  There are not many points when both people agree within this argument. They have very conflicting opinions.

As the debate continues it is mentioned that Koolhaas has a negative link with ‘iconic’ architecture. Which again, is something that Jencks strongly does not agree with; Koolhaas is saying he does not like the architecture which followed the second world war. Although it is not something that Koolhaas enjoys, Jencks argues that it is still part of the past even though if it is not relevant in the present.

The text was hard to follow at some point as both were very dismissive with each other, it would jump from each of them very quickly, which made the text slightly more difficult to read.  However, the content of the text was very interesting, and it was good to see how passionate both people are about their own opinions, something that I know I also am.