Book Review

Robert Venturi: Complexity and Contradiction

Venturi, Robert. Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture. 2nd edition. Museum of Modern Art, 1990.

The movement known as postmodern architecture evolved from the modernist movement, but often conflicts with many modernist concepts. For postmodern architects often combine new ideas with conventional forms, and postmodern constructions are often surprising, shocking, or even amusing. Postmodern architects use well-known shapes and details but utilize them in a unique manner, often to make a statement of provide pleasure for the observer. One of the most important books that illustrate the main tenets of postmodernism is Robert Venturi's Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture, (1990).

Venturi's book is divided into eleven section, from his architectural "gentle manifesto" to his listed "works." The book has been highly influential as one of the leading texts providing the key themes and concepts of postmodern architecture. The book provides information that directly relates to its title, providing a discussion of the complexity and contradiction in postmodern architectural works and styles. Throughout the book, Venturi provides a discussion of a number of ideas while making four main points about postmodern architecture. These four points include: 1) Complexity and contradiction in architecture is preferable to oversimplification; 2) Buildings are formed of many parts wh

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e information often providing further explanation. When he discusses the oversimplification of architecture based on the "less is more" theory of design, he comes to the succinct and direct conclusion that "Less is a bore," (Venturi 17). However, despite being considered a master of postmodern architecture and one of its leading theorists, Venturi does not come off as smug or egotistical. His documentation includes examples of many designs he uses to illustrate his points. However, despite his solid reputation and considerable skills, Venturi is not above correcting himself or even apologizing if he feels he has used poor judgment. For example, when he discusses how the best twentieth-century architects often abandon simplification to highlight the complexity of the whole, he uses Giovanni Michelucci's church for the Autostrada as an example of "haphazard structure" and "willful picturesqueness" (Venturi 18). However, on second review after visiting the church, he comes to a different conclusion an offers documentation of apology. As Venturi writes, "I have visited Giovanni Michelucci's Church of the Autostrada since writing these words, and I now realize it is an extremely beautiful and effective building. I am therefor

Category: Literature - B