Speed; acceleration and rapid change characterize our world; and as we design and construct buildings that are to last at least a few decades and sometimes even centuries; how can architecture continue to act as an important cultural signifier? Focusing on how an important nineteenth-century architect addressed the already shifting relation between architecture; time and history; this book offers insights on issues still relevant today-the struggle between imitation and innovation; the definition (or rejection) of aesthetic experience; the grounds of architectural judgment (who decides and how); or fundamentally; how to act (i.e. build) when there is no longer a single grand narrative but a plurality of possible histories.Six drawings provide the foundation of an itinerary through Charles Robert Cockerellrsquo;s conception of architecture; and into the depths of drawings and buildings. Born in England in 1788; Cockerell sketched as a Grand Tourist; he charted architectural history as Royal Academy Professor; he drew to build; to exhibit; to understand the past and to learn from it; publishing his last work in 1860; three years before his death. Under our scrutiny; his drawings become thresholds into the nineteenth century; windows into the architectrsquo;s conception of architecture and time; complex documents of past and projected constructions; great examples that reveal a kinetic approach to ornamentation; and the depth of architectural representation.
#1524366 in eBooks 2014-09-15 2014-09-15File Name: B00MVC2OEK
Review
23 of 25 people found the following review helpful. Somewhat useful ListsBy John CraggThis work contains a complete listing of the operas of Rossini; Donizetti and Bellini. They are presented in chronological order by composer; unnumbered to make reference to the discography more difficult. The latter is fairly useless. In most cases; only one version is listed; often one no longer available; with absolutely no discussion of the merits of the recording; either in absolute terms or relative to others. The text is very long on trivia connected with the first production with no analysis of what effect any of this had on the composition; and virtually no discussion of subsequent revisions and changes. In the case of the more obsure opera; there may be some trivia about performances in the twentieth century as well. Analysis where it occurs at all is usually superficial. One gets no idea of the composers development; or the development of bel canto writing. Most of the few connections drawn among the various composers comes through rather snide comments that one piece or another reminds the author of someone else.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Well doneBy GEVGood detail and breakdown of composer and their operas. It is the most likely the most consise definition and decsription on Bel Canto that I have seen.1 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Bel Canto OperaBy Marianne CarltonThe "Bel Canto Operas" have such a rich history. This is wonderfully written and well-constructed; with savory tidbits of information salted throughout. Loved it!
