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Less Words More Architecture
I can hardly imagine myself wearing a hat, but if IÕd worn one at the Jerusalem Seminar for Architecture, I would have raised it to honor Architect Arthur Spector and woman-of-valor Lynn Rosman for their success in dragging to Jerusalem architects and students from all over the country - for the fifth time. At this mingling of confused professionals and confusing academics, the audience eagerly drank in a series of litanies delivered by visiting players. Their speeches were remarkable for their irrelevance to Israeli architecture. Almost all the speakers were talented architects whose professional status is secure – and I have nothing against them. However, as with all idols, a few words of balancing criticism will do no harm.
The audience recalled lost souls in the desert, who upon reaching civilization are given fine cognac to quench their thirst, instead of water. Not that students of architecture or even professionals shouldnÕt get drunk once in a while. On the contrary, it is permitted and even desirable. But not when seeking some sane and modest professional orientation. Following Mexican architect Ricardo LagorettaÕs lecture at the last seminar, brightly colored houses sprang up all over the country. This time, we are threatened with a wave of transplanted "Sun-Towers", "Libeskind" museums and "La Villette-parks". Perhaps my words are for all the Israeli architects categorically denied a chance to present their work in the seminar. After Daniel Libeskind, chairman of the seminar, garnered applause and took his bows before the audience – as if at a symphony concert - a television reporter asked his opinion of the local architecture. "Here and there you might spot some jewels", he replied "but you canÕt really find architecture here." Since I didn't want to ruin the occasion for myself, I climbed to the 21st floor of one of those "jewels" (the former Hilton) to interview architect Thom Mayne. Feeling a little offended, I looked out over the city as twilight descended. I must admit, I wouldn't trade the endearing view of the Nachlaot neighborhoods, even for the view of Berlin clad in all its impressive structures. "Jewels" are all very well, but what makes a city is first and foremost its accumulated mass, however architecturally modest. By the way, following Daniel Libeskind's verbally ornate virtuoso lecture, I met Thom Mayne on his way to the stage. In a quick exchange, he managed to thank me for my earlier comment to him that architecture should speak for itself. Only when architecture fails to speak for itself are explanations needed. Ami Ran, architect
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