Weimar as a Theme Park - or How the Identity of a Place Is Constructed - IIAS Seminar

Bilingual Seminar 2SWS / 3ECTS IAAD

 

to simulate is not simply to feign: '... Someone who simulates an illness produces in himself some of the symptoms' (Littre). ... Simulation ... threatens the difference between "true" and "false", between "real" and "imaginary". – Jean Baudrillard

While the artificially simulated place, such as in Disney Land, is mostly assumed to be a phenomenon of our times, there is a history of many, often successful, attempts to construct a local identity and even history as a narrative. The circumstances that influence the evolution of local identities can either be described as means of construction or even simulation of realities. Architecture and Images of Architecture play a central role in such attempts, as they are the visible witnesses of history. If, as some say, history is a sort of fiction that insists in being non-fiction, there is definitely narrative, if not fictional architecture. Thus, the architects of today may be writing the history of tomorrow.

In this class we will look at different theories as well as examples of simulations and constructions of place throughout history, and compare them to contemporary attempts. Weimar will only be one observation ground, but we will also look into other places, such as Berlin, New York and Eisenach. 

The seminar is intended for participants of the IIAS 2006 program, as well as all other students in Diploma or Graduate/Master Programs. Classes will be held in English language, but readings can be picked from German and English sources.

Zeit:

Dienstags, 13.30 bis 15.00 Uhr
Raum 005, Hauptgebäude, Geschwister-Scholl-Str. 8

Richtet sich an:

A - Hauptstudium

Dipl.-Ing. Olaf Pfeifer M.A.

Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter 2005-2012

olaf.pfeifer[at]alumni.tu-berlin.de

Bilingual Seminar 2 SWS / 3 ECTS - IAAS

to simulate is not simply to feign: '... Someone who simulates an illness produces in himself some of the symptoms' (Littre). ... Simulation ... threatens the difference between "true" and "false", between "real" and "imaginary". – Jean Baudrillard

While the artificially simulated place, such as in Disney Land, is mostly assumed to be a phenomenon of our times, there is a history of many, often successful, attempts to construct a local identity and even history as a narrative. The circumstances that influence the evolution of local identities can either be described as means of construction or even simulation of realities. Architecture and Images of Architecture play a central role in such attempts, as they are the visible witnesses of history. If, as some say, history is a sort of fiction that insists in being non-fiction, there is definitely narrative, if not fictional architecture. Thus, the architects of today may be writing the history of tomorrow.

In this class we will look at different theories as well as examples of simulations and constructions of place throughout history, and compare them to contemporary attempts. Weimar will only be one observation ground, but we will also look into other places, such as Berlin, New York and Eisenach. 

The seminar is intended for participants of the IIAS 2006 program, as well as all other students in Diploma or Graduate/Master Programs. Classes will be held in English language, but readings can be picked from German and English sources.

Zeit:

Dienstags, 13.30 bis 15.00 Uhr
Raum 005, Hauptgebäude, Geschwister-Scholl-Str. 8

Richtet sich an:

A - Hauptstudium