AA Words Two: Anti-Object?: The Dissolution and Disintegration of Architecture

The Author Suggests An Alternative Form Of Architecture That Is Not Only Desirable But Possible As Well. His Approach Is Illustrated With A Discussion Of Works By His Office In Which He Has Sought To Avoid Objectification. Kuma's Disappearance: An Introduction To Anti-object -- Making A Connection: The Hyūga Residence By Bruno Taut -- Flowing Out: 'water /glass, ' Atami, Shizuoka, 1992-95 -- Erasing: Kirōsan Observatory, Ochi-gun, Ehime, 1991-94 -- Minimising: Nō Stage In The Forest, Tomoya, Miyagi, 1995-96 -- Unravelling: Japanese Pavilion For The Venice Biennale, 1995 -- Reversing: Chofu Theatre, Tokyo, 1997 -- Substituting: Electronic Memorial Space, Takasaki, Gumma, 1997-98 -- Breaking Down Into Particles: Stone Museum, Nasu-chō, Tochigi, 1996-2000. Kengo Kuma ; Translated By Hiroshi Watanabe. I Have Chosen To Use My Own Works To Illustrate My Ideas.--preface. Includes Bibliographical References. An "object" is a work of architecture that is expressly designed for maximum isolation. While not exclusive to any particular architectural style, objects have been the organizing principle for many modernist and postmodernist works. Indeed, they might even be said to be the very strategy by which modernism succeeded in conquering the world. Why is objectification so widespread? In Anti-Object , Kengo Kuma argues it is because it shares the aims of the prevailing economic system. He suggests and illustrates his alternative to objectification through a discussion of the various stratagems of his work.