Melanie Roth - Jencks

Although I found this reading to be a bit confusing at times, I was fascinated to learn about postmodernism and its effects specifically on architecture. The architecture aspect of this reading immediately challenged my thoughts, leading me to relate what Charles Jencks was stating to what I have previously learned about in other classes.

He states, “values and forms of modernism and classicism are simultaneously transformed into a hybrid combination” while explaining “The present mode looks disturbing, partly because it is both strange and yet very familiar. Previous rules of decorum and composition are not so much disregarded, as extended and distorted” (Jencks 281). Immediately I related his statements to the architecture that defines Celebration, the town that was created by the Walt Disney Company. The buildings throughout Celebration are a perfect example of postmodernist architecture, and truly demonstrate the canons discussed in this reading.

In an architecture class that I took here at Rollins, we had the opportunity of touring Celebration, allowing us to get a detailed look and understanding, of how its buildings truly combine new ideas with traditional forms. The unique ways that these buildings have been created, incorporate familiar ideas, but overall create statements, all of which stem from postmodernism. 

Celebrations architectural use of symbolism, exaggeration, and distortion within its architecture, demonstrates expressionism within the post-modernity. Even the homes in Celebration represent neo-traditional versions of styles. Some examples that I got to see were Colonial, Folk, Victorian and even Arts & Crafts style houses and apartments. “Another credible subject is the historical continuum and the relation between the past and present” (Jencks 286). This is blatantly exemplified by the visualization of Celebration’s bank. As pictured in the photo below, Celebrations bank resembles a 1950’s-era gas station, and the building is actually molded to fit the shape of the street corner where it is located.

            I am looking forward to our discussion in class tomorrow, and hope to leave with a more in-depth understanding, of the eleven significant canons mentioned in the reading.