PhD Teaching: The Traveller’s Gaze on Architecture: Medievalism, Orientalism, Nationalism

Abstract

Before we design buildings, we travel: as a source of education, imagination or visual appropriation. This course examines the relationship of travel with architecture when it was institutionalised as a crucial part of the professional competence; confronting different historical modes of encounters with today’s practice.

Objective

- Historicize the relationship of travel and architecture - Reflect on the production of architectural knowledge, its medialisation and reception - Examine what conditions shaped the history of travel, its modes, institutions and agencies - Develop a facility with the interdisciplinary concepts of Medievalism, Orientalism and Nationalism

Content

The Traveller’s Gaze on Architecture: Medievalism, Orientalism, Nationalism Before we design buildings, we travel: as a source of education, imagination or visual appropriation. As we are surrounded by an abundance of images and ideas from diverse cultures and histories, we wonder how did we get here? How did we get from “enlightened” curiosity to cultural imperialism, from dogmatic classicism to pluralist historicism, and from heritage protection to over-tourism? This course examines how the practice of travel fundamentally shaped the transfer and historiography of architecture. Deconstructing the traveller’s gaze, this seminar confronts the contemporary practice of travel with three historical modes of encounters: Medievalism (reactions to medieval architectures), Orientalism (reactions to extra-European architectures) and Nationalism (reflection of national identities). Starting from the 18th century, when travel was institutionalised as a crucial part of the professional competence, we will interrogate the production of knowledge about different cultures, construction of Eurocentrism and the influence of global politics. The content we will deal with varies in every session – from discussions of larger theoretical concepts, to different forms of journeys, historical trends and actual building designs. Case studies include ancient and colonial Egypt, medieval Normandy, Norman Sicily, and Islamic Spain. The primary source material are travel accounts by various protagonists, with depictions in text and image. The format is a combination of lecture and discussion. Active participation is required. The written assignment is a short “travel account” in free format.

Resources