An 'insightful primer on contemporary architecture' by the Pulitzer Prize-winning critic. America's leading architecture critic looks at our preference for invented environmentstheme parks, shopping malls, etc. Such unreal places create a fantasy world where the authentic is neither admired nor desired. Huxtable closely examines the way our curious passion for the synthetic place and the surrogate experience affects our attitudes and values. 129 b&w illus. Very nice clean copy. Binding is clean and tight. Dust jacket in very good condition, protected by Brodart cover.

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Bibliographic Details

Title

Unreal America: Architecture and Illusion

Publisher

New Press April 1997

Publication Date

1997

Language

English

ISBN 10

1565840550

ISBN 13

9781565840553

Binding

Hardcover

Condition

Used - Very Good

Seller catalogs

Architecture - American - General

About this title

Synopsis

A leading American architectural critic examines Americans' peculiar passion for synthetic environments, such as shopping malls and Disneyworld, and charges today's architecture with being dehumanized and functionally out of tune with the environment.

Reviews

In her first book since The Tall Building Artistically Reconsidered (LJ 6/15/85), architecture critic Huxtable here critiques the American devotion to invented environments. She looks at the artificial towns, streetscapes, and ambiance of Disney parks, Williamsburg, and many other places built in this century but of no time. The American comfort with these created worlds disturbs Huxtable. Her contempt for what has become a common taste?nearly a universal aesthetic of cleaned-up, socially sanitized environments?has sound intellectual footing and is offered with appropriate passion, but it is also rooted in the elitism of the intelligentsia, offended and distrustful of the popular partly because it is popular. The fear that quality architecture will lose out to the designs driven by marketers, consumerism, and entertainment has been a presence in specialized circles for many years. The issue is given a thoughtful, if admittedly one-sided, airing here for a broader audience by the much admired Huxtable. Recommended for public and academic libraries.?David Bryant, New Canaan P.L., Ct.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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