Tag Archives: modernism

Clown World Watch: Notre Dame Edition

Posted on April 20, 2019 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: What did I say.

Posted in Architecture, Philosophy and Religion, Politics and Economics | Tagged modernism, Norman Foster, Notre Dame, postmodernism | 1 Comment

Advance to Barbarism, A Continuing Series

Posted on April 16, 2019 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: As soon as I heard about the fire at Notre Dame, I said to friends that two things would happen: 1) this would kick off a decade of political wrangling over what to do about the damaged structure, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Politics and Economics | Tagged modernism, Notre Dame, Paul Schrader, postmodernism, progressives | 3 Comments

The Emperor Has White Paint

Posted on April 15, 2018 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: A few months ago, when I was at the Whitney museum, I was confronted by this masterpiece: But maybe there’s something really deep going on in this work that I just don’t understand. Do you find this … Continue reading →

Posted in Art | Tagged modernism, postmodernism, the emperor has no clothes, The Whitney | 7 Comments

Movie Still Du Jour

Posted on November 26, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: A woman inspects some travel posters in Jacques Tati’s PLAYTIME (1967). Click on the image to enlarge.

Posted in Architecture, Movies | Tagged Jacques Tati, modernism | 2 Comments

“Citizen Jane: Battle for the City” (2016)

Posted on October 19, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: As the full title implies, director Matt Tyrnauer‘s documentary profile of writer and urban theorist Jane Jacobs frames her story in terms of confrontation. In this corner we have politician Robert Moses, the power broker of post-World … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing, Movies | Tagged David Rockefeller, Jane Jacobs, modernism, Nelson Rockefeller, New York City, Robert Moses, Rockefeller Foundation, spontaneous order, urban renewal | 4 Comments

Architecture Du Jour

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Modernism: Making every place the same place for over a century.

Posted in Architecture | Tagged glass boxes, Globalization, modernism, postmodernism, the powers that be | 2 Comments

Architects and the “Vision” Thing

Posted on October 27, 2015 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Via Wired, architects Vishaan Chakrabarti and Gregg Pasquarelli discuss how they would improve New York City: I agree with a couple of their suggestions: more crosstown connections (particularly a crosstown subway) would be nice and fewer cars would be appreciated … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged experts, Gregg Pasquarelli, modernism, Nathan Myhrvold, New York City, spontaneous order, traditionalism, urbanism, Vishaan Chakrabarti | 1 Comment

Listing Books: Anti-Modernism

Posted on October 14, 2015 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: It’s funny how after over a century of a near-stranglehold on elite sensibilities, modernism refuses to give an inch in the art world. Whether in novels, gallery art, architecture, fashion, or music, the implicit (or even at times, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Books Publishing and Writing, Education, History, Philosophy and Religion | Tagged modernism, postmodernism, traditionalism | 7 Comments

Juxtaposin’: Stairs

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes:

Posted in Architecture | Tagged Broad Museum, modernism, postmodernism, stairs, traditionalism | 4 Comments

Edges, Pointiness, Minimalism and Public Seating

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: On a beautiful recent day, my wife and I treated ourselves to a long, leisurely walk — first through the West Village, then down along Hudson River Park, and finally through and beyond Battery Park Marina. The red line shows our … Continue reading →