Educational Media Reviews Online

Daniel Libeskind has been no stranger to controversy. The German architect is well known for his modern, if not sometimes radical, designs for buildings throughout Europe and the world. In an interview with Christopher Langer in 1995 Libeskind points out that "I'm not one of those architects that believes that architecture is just a commodity, a disposal item and you should calculate how much it costs to demolish it now because it's going to be demolished tomorrow. I'm not obsessed with technology and all these myths about the future being solved through technological intervention or building. I think one has to worry about what is fable in all this change that is taking place." (http://architronic.saed.kent.edu/v5n2/v5n2.05.html) To this end his work probably fills the bill with his expressive abstract sculptural effects, and his controversial lack of interest in the siting of the buildings.

In this video program Cecil Balmond (structural engineer), Charles Jencks (architectural writer), and others discuss the Libeskind vision, the controversy surrounding several specific buildings including the addition to London's Victoria and Albert Museum, the Imperial War Museum-North, and the Felix Nussbaum House. Much of the discussion centers on the lasting effects of Libeskind's works, and if his sensational aesthetics will set standards for 21st century architecture.

The program has very high production values, and provides a good introduction to both the Libeskind aesthetic and to some of the specific buildings discussed.

Highly Recommended