商品簡介
This collection of nine concise articles is the first in a new series addressing urgent issues in design and the "built environment." Motivated by the idea that reasonable people need to understand why they may disagree, the articles cover a variety of topics and viewpoints, with the main idea being that cultural productions, including architecture, are increasingly made subservient to the goals of the capitalist economic system, or commodification. Even buildings meant for the greater good quite apart from profit are often seen as a means of enticement for certain powerful and attractive groups or even simply for tourism, in a spectacle. Although realistic about what works in society (and what gets funded), the contributors are clear in their opinions about "architainment," architecture's values in the marketplace, the close association with multinational firms and architecture, ambiguity, blocked and diverted creativity, and the dangers and benefits of developing of cultures in support of capitalism by using planned and built space. Annotation c2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
