Extinct Architecture

Architecture was founded on the universal basis of religion, though the rise of the nation state changed its function to one of ideological representation. Now, globalization has displaced this once again as the result of market pressures and real estate speculation. Extinct Architecture was an evening of talks delivered in three parts: religion, utopia, and ideology.

As the organizer of Extinct Architecture, Lan Tuazon framed the panel of talks by proposing a form of architecture that can house and therefore represent the public for whom it is designed. Investigations into such architectural giants include public housing, parliaments, and past utopias.

Giving visibility to hidden congregations, Matilde Cassani’s research of sacred spaces in profane buildings presents how new immigrant populations repurpose functional spaces to serve communal religious needs. Case studies of Milan and New York elaborate on architecture without architects.

Any cultural extinction and loss must be perceived as something utterly uncanny. At the same time, the possibility of extinction is the condition for culture and cultural values in the first place. Thus in his lecture, Philipp Kleinmichel discussed not only the cultural value of extinction as such, but also how it organizes the cultural differences and values of art and architecture today.

Matilde CASSANI is a PhD candidate for the Faculty of Architecture at the Politecnico di Milano, Italy, where she is continuing her work on sacred spaces in profane buildings.
www.matildecassani.com

Philipp KLEINMICHEL lives and works in Berlin. He studied philosophy, art theory, film, and curatorial studies in Freiburg, Karlsruhe and New York.In 2008, he led the seminar Reading Capital at the Montgomery Gallery, organized by Production Unit for the 5th Berlin Biennial. He taught art theory and philosophy at HfG Karsruhe/ZKM.