The isolation of the self; the sacrosanct object; the solitude of ‘outstanding’ architecture. Are these signs of a moribund culture? If so, where did our vitality go? Can we find it in other domains? Can we re-animate, re-infuse ourselves with energy? Read how reality seeps through our unassailable myths and penetrates our splendid isolation.
Architecture presupposes inhabitants. Literature depends on readers. Art requires the viewer. Music demands listeners. But beyond these truths, culture today must touch a general audience to maintain its legitimacy. Make yourself heard or perish! This issue of Volume provides you with the tools you need to understand your failures and the strategies you require to succeed. In this 3rd issue of Volume the box contains Volume magazine and an “Extra Edition! Read all about it!” newspaper brought to you by C-LAB. Of course there is another AMO Bulletin. Finally, the long awaited interactive documentary “On the Borderline” on CD-ROM, based on the past nine ARCHIS RSVP events.
Can we do something by doing (almost) nothing? Can we achieve anything by doing too much? Can we do what we need to do, by doing just what is needed? How do we define doing too much, too little? How to think through doing anyway?
The first issue of Volume is a tour d’horizon of the new possibilities of architecture beyond itself.
There is a growing awareness of a potential that may ultimately challenge the very character of architecture as we know it. For some this means anxiety or even pessimism about a profession in deep trouble; the aim of Volume, however, is to face this challenge with the confidence and intellectual curiosity needed to explore the implications for architectural intelligence.
Explore the vast archive of Volume and its predecessor Archis. All the issues since 1993, their covers, full tables of content and a growing amount of articles are online.
