Learning objectives
The history of art and architecture are essential in the intellectual development and in the practise of architecture. The major aim of the course is to enable the student to make judgment, have an historical and bibliographic instruments to be able to analyse and understand movements, effects and protagonists (architects, artists, patrons, benefits, etc) of this fundamental period (first Dublin Descriptor). To achieve this aim it’s necessary to always use multiple approaches and different methods of analysis observing the Unity of History (second Dublin Descriptor).
Undergraduate shall be able to: use the acquired knowledge to make personal and mature judgements (third Dublin Descriptor); use the appropriate technical language (fourth Dublin Descriptor); establish logical connections between topics; read the complexity of architecture (fifth Dublin Descriptor).
Course unit content
History of contemporary architecture (40 hours, 4 CFU).
Aim of the course is to offer a complete outline of Western architecture from XVIII to XX century; the course offers new keys to interpret the world and the role of art and architecture in the society.
Bibliography
General Handbooks:
1. Leonardo BENEVOLO, Storia dell’architettura moderna, Laterza, Bari-Roma, 2008;
2. Marco BIRAGHI, Storia dell’architettura contemporanea, 2 voll., Piccola biblioteca Einaudi (PBE), Torino , 2008;
3. William CURTIS, L’architettura moderna del Novecento, Bruno Mondadori, Milano 1999 (second edition , L’architettura moderna dal 1900, Phaidon, London 2006).
4. Giovanni FANELLI, Roberto GARGIANI, Storia dell’architettura contemporanea: spazio, struttura, involucro, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 1998 (or subsequent editions).
5. David WATKIN, Storia dell’architettura occidentale, ed. italiana consigliata: Zanichelli, Bologna, third edition: 2007 (or subsequent editions), chapters 8-11.
Monographic texts:
1. Adolf LOOS, Parole nel vuoto, Adelphi, Milano 1972 (or subsequent editions);
2. Jean CLAIR, La responsabilità dell’artista, Allemandi, Torino 1997;
3. LE CORBUSIER, Scritti, a cura di R. Tamborrino, fotografie di G. Guidi, Einaudi, Torino 2003;
4. K. FRAMPTON, Tettonica e architettura. Poetica della Forma architettonica nel XIX e XX secolo, Skira, Ginevra-Milano 1999;
5. Roberto GABETTI, Carlo OLMO (a cura di), Le Corbusier e “L’Esprit Nouveau”, Einaudi, Torino 1975;
6. Sigfrid GIEDION, Spazio, tempo e architettura (Cambridge 1941), Hoepli, Milano 1954 (or subsequent editions);
7. Paolo PORTOGHESI, Dopo l’architettura moderna, Laterza, Roma-Bari 1980;
8. Aldo ROSSI, Autobiografia scientifica, Pratiche, Parma 1990;
9. Jean STAROBINSKY, La scoperta della libertà 1700-1789, Skira, Genève 1964.
Teaching methods
Teacher orientated lessons with slides and documentary films; possibility to visit museums and monumental sites; possibility of seminars with external experts.
Attendance is highly recommended because contents of the course are necessary to take for some following exams. Students unable to attend (with certificate reasons such as work) have to contact the teacher to agree on a proper bibliography
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination, if necessary elementary sketch exemplifications, descriptions of photos or drawings of buildings, details, architectural sculptures, etc. The first set of questions tends to evaluate the basic knowledge of the program and basic ability to establish logical connections between topics. The second set of questions checks strictly the criticism, the correct use of the appropriate language (fourth Dublin Descriptor), and the ability to establish logical connections between topics and of reading the complexity of architecture (fifth Dublin Descriptor).
Other information
Contacts:
carlo.mambriani@unipr.it