bashflux:
I understand you hate IM Pei. Many say architecture is an art of creating space, or in another word, an art of wasting space. There is few architect as good as IM Pei. I agree that the Cornell University Museum designed IM Pei does not fit the landscape of Cornell well. But is bold and that's the point: bold, dramatic, standout, and bring the energy to that seemingly quiet intellectual space. The looking of the building is only the superficial surface of the work. In order to fully appreciate it, you should go inside and walk through all the rooms and hallway. I have never been to that building but I have visited his buildings in the same style. The space inside is great.
Pei designed a similar style building the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, fit the surrounding Rocky Mountains well.
China has many great talents including great architects. There were quite a few in 1920-1940s. Wars did not give them a chance.After 1940s our motherland under the shitty rule of CCP does have enough freedom for them to prosper. What we have are those in USSR or that of North Korea. Only those who stay oversea become great, such as IM Pei and Maya Lin.
However, after Deng Xiaoping's reform, Chinese people have significant extent of materialistic freedom, which gradually leads to intellectual freedom.
In such as politically monopolized background, Wang Shu stands out as an outliner, a loner.
Shall I say: we need more but it is better than anything.
I understand you hate IM Pei. Many say architecture is an art of creating space, or in another word, an art of wasting space. There is few architect as good as IM Pei. I agree that the Cornell University Museum designed IM Pei does not fit the landscape of Cornell well. But is bold and that's the point: bold, dramatic, standout, and bring the energy to that seemingly quiet intellectual space. The looking of the building is only the superficial surface of the work. In order to fully appreciate it, you should go inside and walk through all the rooms and hallway. I have never been to that building but I have visited his buildings in the same style. The space inside is great.
Pei designed a similar style building the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, fit the surrounding Rocky Mountains well.
China has many great talents including great architects. There were quite a few in 1920-1940s. Wars did not give them a chance.After 1940s our motherland under the shitty rule of CCP does have enough freedom for them to prosper. What we have are those in USSR or that of North Korea. Only those who stay oversea become great, such as IM Pei and Maya Lin.
However, after Deng Xiaoping's reform, Chinese people have significant extent of materialistic freedom, which gradually leads to intellectual freedom.
In such as politically monopolized background, Wang Shu stands out as an outliner, a loner.
Shall I say: we need more but it is better than anything.