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Overview
A tour of the world’s milestones of "architainment," this book explores the idea that began with the Circus Maximus in ancient Rome to today’s Disney World and Las Vegas. Architecture built for the purpose of living out a fantasy or for pure pleasure is multiplying at a breathtaking pace. The Mall of America, Dubai’s The Palm, and Brandenburg’s Tropical Island are all examples of architecture that does not fit into the traditional realm of buildings and function. Dream Worlds traces the idea of architecture and entertainment from its earliest incarnations, such as the Colosseum, to the late twentieth century, when examples of "architainment" have proliferated. It examines the post-modern desire for escapism and considers the future of the trend of "architainment." Florian Holzherr’s photographs capture each site as architectural structure, while complementary photographs by the author illustrate the sites in daily use. Oliver Herwig is a journalist based in Munich, Germany. He is the author of Featherweights (Prestel). Florian Holzherr is a freelance photographer, who has worked extensively for architectural firms. He lives in Munich, Germany.Editorials
Library Journal
Do not judge this book by its (very gaudy) cover. Journalist Herwig's (Featherweights: Light, Mobile and Floating Architecture) purpose is to "uncover the sediments of popular culture" by studying the architecture that serves as a stunning backdrop for spectacles such as those held in the Roman Colosseum. The Colosseum's ancient entertainment architecture is progenitor to the architecture of department stores, world expositions, and theme parks. The reader, led through the places of pilgrimage of today's sophisticated leisure industry, will experience the awe heretofore engendered by grand cathedrals. Dream Worlds is a thought-provoking expos of fantasy-made-reality and of what these places say about the societies entertained by them. For example, the quote, "shopping malls are about much more than shopping" reminds us that American teens hang out at the mall with no intention of shopping. Why? Where else will they hang out? We have few public squares and equivalents to Barcelona's Las Ramblas or Rome's Spanish Steps. Readable and lavishly illustrated mostly in color, this book is recommended for larger public and academic libraries, especially those with architecture programs. Nancy Mactague, Aurora Univ. Lib., IL Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.Book Details
Published
May 28, 2006
Publisher
Prestel Publishing
Pages
157
Format
Hardcover, 2006
ISBN
9783791332208