Sublime Visions (architecture In The Alps)

By (author) Stacher, Susanne
Description
In the eighteenth century the Alps became the subject of a new view of nature, which crystallized in the sublime. Oscillating between fear and fascination, this sensual experience triggered a thrilling borderline experience: travelers ventured to the mountain world full of longing and projected a variety of different dreams onto the "wild nature" that had yet to be explored. To what extent has the sublime influenced architecture in the Alps, from the early days of tourism to the present? Prompted by this question, the author analyzes Alpine architecture in its historical context and offers a critical assessment of contemporary tourism. This is a book that inspires us to reflect on the future of building in the Alps and on our relationship with nature.
Description
In the eighteenth century the Alps became the subject of a new view of nature, which crystallized in the sublime. Oscillating between fear and fascination, this sensual experience triggered a thrilling borderline experience: travelers ventured to the mountain world full of longing and projected a variety of different dreams onto the "wild nature" that had yet to be explored. To what extent has the sublime influenced architecture in the Alps, from the early days of tourism to the present? Prompted by this question, the author analyzes Alpine architecture in its historical context and offers a critical assessment of contemporary tourism. This is a book that inspires us to reflect on the future of building in the Alps and on our relationship with nature.
Description
Im 18. Jahrhundert wurden die Alpen zum Topos einer neuartigen Naturbetrachtung, die sich im Begriff des Sublimen und Erhabenen kristallisierte. Zwischen Schrecken und Faszination changierend, löste dieser Gefühlszustand eine erregende Grenzerfahrung aus: Reisende suchten sehnsuchtsvoll die Welt der Berge auf und projizierten ganz unterschiedliche Träume in die noch zu erschließende „wilde Natur" . Auf welche Weise hat das Erhabene die Architektur in den Alpen vom Beginn des Tourismus bis heute beeinflusst? Mit dieser Leitfrage analysiert die Autorin die alpine Architektur längs der Architekturgeschichte und liefert zudem eine kritische Betrachtung des heutigen Tourismus. Ein Buch, das inspiriert: zum Nachdenken über das zukünftige Bauen in den Alpen und über unsere Beziehung zur Natur.
Biographical note
Susanne Stacher, architect, lecturer at the École nationale supérieure d’architecture de Versailles, France
Biographical note
Susanne Stacher. Studium der Architektur. Mitarbeit in internat. Architektürbüros. Seit 2010 o. Dozentin an der ENSA-Versailles.