reklam

Conference theme
Image, use, heritage.
The reception of architecture of the Modern Movement
Right from its creation, the Modern Movement was intimately related to an international process of diffusion. This relation between architecture and diffusion paved the way for various interpretations, some of which gave rise to myths. These layers of interpretations and myths require a critical approach. Very often, gaps can be observed between these interpretations and the social value of the modern buildings concerned, as they are perceived by the actors in the social context. The seventh conference of DOCOMOMO, which will be held in Paris in 2002, aims at a critical approach to the reception of the architecture of the Modern Movement and its effects. The analysis of reception, as it was first proposed by the literature historian and theorist Hans Robert Jauss, consists, primarily, of an analysis of the original circumstances and the environment in which a particular work of art was created, produced, criticised, and judged. The main aspects of this analysis explain why it is a productive method in the field of research on "Modern" architecture. First, after a particular architectural project is built, the building in question is judged; this judgement is the result of several elements. These include critical assessment, the impact of pictorial representation, etc. Other aspects also contribute to the formulation of the judgement of the building and of public opinion; these aspects are often completely separate from professional critical points of view and are sometimes even in conflict with the opinion of the critics. The recognition of the value of use of the building and its aesthetic, as perceived by the inhabitants and users, the quality of maintenance which the building receives, or the number of people who visit the building, are all important factors. The choice of key buildings of the Modern Movement, the politics of conservation and methods of restoration are also significant aspects of the reception of architecture of the Modern Movement. All these meanings of reception concern the life cycle of a building after its construction. However, the notion of reception also covers the representation of the circumstances in which a work is projected and built: its inspiration, sources of influence, economic and social conditions, are all part of its reception. Questions, which are raised in this way, are closely linked to the values which the Modern Movement produced or to the values which have been discovered in it, which often remain crucial today.

Thus we have the question of the historical relation between reception, on the one hand, and the creation and development of the Modern Movement on the other. For this reason there is a need to study the role of the mass media, of texts, doctrines, controversies and witnesses, the role of groups, personalities and the networks involved in the creation and development of the Modern Movement.

The inheritance of the Modern Movement, as it projects itself into the future, and its influence on contemporary architectural culture, is also a theme for study. In particular, the field of architectural debate includes architectural teaching, contemporary intervention in Modern buildings, the politics of protection, the statutory list of protected buildings and the restoration of buildings or groups of buildings belonging to the Modern Movement.

What is the essential role of a critical approach to the reception of the Modern Movement? How can a critical approach to the reception of modern architecture enrich the history of these works by new perspectives? How can it contribute to architectural teaching? How can in be used to arrive at a better knowledge of the social and cultural value of architecture and for the public use of modern buildings, whether or not they are included on the statutory list of protected buildings? What could be the role of communication in the field of architecture?

In these studies, it is suggested that the contribution of the Modern Movement to social life (social housing, public areas and public services) as well as to the modernization of technique (circulation-plans, materials and new methods, standardisation and industrialisation) should be taken into account. Also relevant is the transformation of aesthetics (abstraction and symbolic). The identification of practices and the effects of reception in space and time will be given a predominant place as far as possible.

We propose a series of words and concepts which have to do with the multiple dimensions of the reception of modern architecture. Still, these concepts are not exhaustive.

Image :
Manifestos, doctrines and their impact:
debates, controversies and interpretations
Authors and people acting within the scope of reception (people, networks and institutions): critics and the press, professionals working in architecture and construction
Instruments of reception and their forms:
publications, exhibitions, conferences, photography, cinema, advertising and other visual arts.
The social and cultural impact of reception: the aesthetics of the living environment and modernisation of domestic and public space

Usage :
The recognition of the use value : its expression and forms.
People:
inhabitants and users, those who conceive a project and those who put it into practice, those who control maintenance, public elected officers and visitors
Use confronted by obsolescence and wear and tear: maintenance and upkeep, adaptation for other uses
Use as a model for reference: in training of architects and other professionals involved, in the formation of a material and cultural identity for the twentieth century.

Heritage :
Forms and criterias for distinction:
selection of examples at local, regional, national and international levels;
particular works, types and series, the politics and procedures of protection
Protection and restoration:
The guidelines: maintain the technical and material aspects, or recreate the spirit? How to concile protection and new uses?
The cultural importance of the Modern inheritance: establishing references and values, historical writing, heritage in the framework of the debate on modern architecture, making buildings available and open to the public
3- Invitation to contribute

Organization of the conference :
The seventh international DOCOMOMO conference will take place in Paris in from Monday the 16th of September until Saturday the 21st of September 2002.

Monday: Welcome and registration of participants; a welcome party in the evening
Tuesday : Opening of the conference, round tables/workshops
Wednesday: round tables
Thursday: Round tables, Council’s meeting, closing of the conference
Friday-Saturday: Visits to buildings and modern and contemporary architecture sites in Paris and in the regions.