The Anaesthetics of Architecture

by Neil Leach

In this short, intentionally polemical book, Neil Leach draws on theideas of philosophers and cultural theorists such as Walter Benjaminand Jean Baudrillard to develop a novel and highly incisive critiqueof the consequences of the growing preoccupation with images andimage-making in contemporary architectural culture. In this short, intentionally polemical book, Neil Leach draws on the ideas of philosophers and cultural theorists such as Walter Benjamin and Jean Baudrillard to develop a novel and highly incisive critique of the consequences of the growing preoccupation with images and image-making in contemporary architectural culture. The problem with this preoccupation, Leach argues, is that it can induce a sort of numbness, as the saturation of images floods the senses and obscures deeper concerns. This problem is particularly acute for a discipline such as architecture, which relies heavily on visual representation. As a result, architects can become anaesthetized from the social and political realities of everyday life. In the intoxicating world of the image, the aesthetics of architecture threaten to become the anaesthetics of architecture. In this culture of aesthetic consumption, this culture of the cocktail, meaningful discourse gives way to strategies of seduction, and architectural design is reduced to the superficial play of empty, seductive forms.

Genres: Architecture, Philosophy

120 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Eamon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I truly believe this book helps you theorise and analyse how political and cultural movements define or create the aesthetics and the insensitivity or anaesthetics of art and architecture. My problem with this book is that I think I was hoping to find a more developed argument or maybe a theoretical thinking in which they would expose more than a global argument.

It is true that this book does not focuses ONLY in Architecture, but also on the context and that is what I honestly enjoyed. The book did seem, however, a little redundant to me. Never the less, you do get to learn from the book (maybe more, maybe less… depends on how acquainted you are with the subject). It was recommended to me by BArch Thesis Advisor, and I can honestly say I did learn from the book despite what I said, it is a short book, easy to read, and altogether a good book.

Finally, don't judge this book from my review. Buy it, read it (I'm sure you will learn from it), and develop your own argument.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for making it less about architecture and more about advertising/"aestheticization"/Nazis. It's got a bad attitude - deliberately overreaching.

[AlanCL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es una acercamiento del concepto de simulacro, visto desde una posición arquitectónica. Es un libro que trata de teorizar la cultura arquitectónica de finales del XX y sobre todo de este siglo.

[Fábio Fonseca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing perspective about the way “image” and aesthetics can influence architecture. It really makes you think about the value of visual communication and how it manipulates you.

[Nick]

Not sure if I'm just too dumb to understand the first 3/4 of the book, but it didn't become what I was expecting it to be about until the last chapter.