Editorial. Domus 1029
On the November 2018 issue, Michele De Lucchi tells us about the energy that sets the universe in motion: the magical force of chaos.
In this issue
Domus 1029
Cover illustration: The Blue Chemist
Archaeology
Chaos: the order in noise
“Where eldest Night
And Chaos, ancestors of Nature, hold Eternal anarchy amidst the noise.” John Milton, Paradise Lost, 1667-1674. Edited by Adam Lowe & Charlotte Skene Catling
Portfolio
Valentin Jeck, Back to the future
For the exhibition “Concrete Utopia” at the MoMA, New York, the Swiss photographer Valentin Jeck was commissioned to document the socialist regime’s architecture
Anthropology
Mathemathics can seduce
Mathematics is closer to grammar than to science; hence, rather like grammar, it deals with feelings. Text by Chiara Valerio
Studio visit
SO – IL
Visiting the creative chaos of a New York office run by Florian Idenburg, Jing Liu and Ilias Papageorgiou, where what matters most is an ability to have shared experiences. Presented by Andrea Caputo
Economy
Work spaces and serendipity
An orderly workplace seems productive and professional but It is the messy, chaotic places where people take control that are truly creative. Text by Tim Harford
Institution
The creative capital of contemporary art fairs
From an academy to urban regeneration, modern and contemporary art fairs are increasingly acting as production systems and cultural capital vehicles. How much is a lesson worth? Presented by Paola Nicolin
Archive
The thoughts of a city
In 1986 Cedric Price and Gordon Pask presented an urban regeneration project based on a widespread communication network. Presented by the Canadian Centre for Architecture
Cara Domus
Federica Cevasco
Dear Domus, I have a moral problem. Can one (aesthetically speaking) love the guillotine?
Essay
Telmo Pievani. The creativity of chaos
In contingency, partially tamed chaos reveals all its creativity, showing us how far the real is a subset of the possible
Chaos
The design of objects and buildings is subject to the universal and irrevocable law of probability
Conversation
Bjarke Ingels & Carlotta de Bevilacqua. Design means giving shape to life
Light – used as an immaterial alphabet – science, art and life are interwoven in a conversation between the Danish architect and Artemide’s vice-president and CEO
Architecture
Herzog & de Meuron, Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage & Arts, Hong Kong
After many variations and a long development period, the cultural centre has emerged as an imposing presence despite its highly chaotic surroundings. Text Daan Roggeveen
Architecture
Mecanoo architecten, National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts Kaohsiung, Taiwan
With the latest project completed by the Dutch studio, Taiwan’s creative industry receives new stimulus for growth. Text Rita Capezzuto
Urban plan
MVRDV, Urban plan for Oosterwold, Almere, The Netherlands
In contemporary Dutch culture, complex articulations are referring the concept of naturalness. Text Winy Maas
Architecture
Assemble, Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art, London
On Goldsmiths University campus, a new public art gallery adds an important element of cultural and social regeneration to the south London area. Text Michele De Lucchi
For and against
Grafton Architects. Objects are our world?
Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara respond to the editor’s invitation to reflect on his theoretical position expressed in Domus in recent months
For and against
Pier Paolo Tamburelli. Architecture is space
Imagining an architecture built around gestures that are not controlled or psychoanalysed, but only accepted
Design
Maths helps explain design
Good mathematicians are the ones who invent a new problem, not those who do the calculations. Text and drawings by Mario Trimarchi
Design
Research and organised confusion
ECAL is a place of calm chaos. They accept design challenges. Then they find solutions, often generated more by pragmatism and irony than the strict application of a method. Text Davide Fornari
Design
Dealing with the unexpected
Two professionals sit down to talk about companies, values and passions.
The first is the founder of Restart, and the second is the former CEO of PoltronaFrau, Charme Group and currently president of Tecno and Zanotta
Best of
Chaos
“The countryside is the most contested and emotive field, not least in the new forms of immigration required by new systems in the countryside”. Rem Koolhaas
Cinema
The chaos of millions of identities on a fragile continent
Annika Larsson’s film is a slow and orchestrated dance of seemingly chaotic lives woven to create an exciting narrative that keeps you glued to the screen. Text by Piero Golia
Meteorology
The chaos of millions of identities on a fragile continent
Annika Larsson’s film is a slow and orchestrated dance of seemingly chaotic lives woven to create an exciting narrative that keeps you glued to the screen. Text by Piero Golia
Travel
Las Pozas. A Surrealist sanctuary deep in the forest
Built over 25 years, Edward James’s garden in Mexico is the perfect mix of architecture and nature. Text by Marianna Guernieri
Rassegna
The spontaneity of Brazilian tradition
With the Campana Institute, the two Brazilian brothers have been using design as a tool for transformation through social and educational programmes. Edited by Giulia Guzzini
Auction
On 4 October 1957 the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite to successfully orbit the Earth