Sensuous Architecture

Fülszöveg

Christian W. Thomsen
Sensuous Architecture The Art of Erotic Building
With two essays by Angela Krewani 184 pages witli 302 illustrations 205 in colour


There is no doubt that architecture involves sensuous, even erotic elements. In this ground-breaking book Christian W. Thomsen, assisted by Angela Krewani, undertakes the first-ever examination of this aspect of architecture. Starting out from present-day examples of "erotic" architecture, the author goes back in time to investigate summer residences in France and in Germany; he continues his exciting historical journey with discussions of the English landscape garden and the Marquis de Sade's torture chambers before coming full circle with immaterial, media architecture and cybersex.
Along the way Thomsen examines the cultural history of the bathroom, the erotic symbolism of towers and grottoes in various cultures, and the sensual and intellectual appeal of anthropomorphic architecture. Examples of particularly sensuous... Tovább

Fülszöveg

Christian W. Thomsen
Sensuous Architecture The Art of Erotic Building
With two essays by Angela Krewani 184 pages witli 302 illustrations 205 in colour


There is no doubt that architecture involves sensuous, even erotic elements. In this ground-breaking book Christian W. Thomsen, assisted by Angela Krewani, undertakes the first-ever examination of this aspect of architecture. Starting out from present-day examples of "erotic" architecture, the author goes back in time to investigate summer residences in France and in Germany; he continues his exciting historical journey with discussions of the English landscape garden and the Marquis de Sade's torture chambers before coming full circle with immaterial, media architecture and cybersex.
Along the way Thomsen examines the cultural history of the bathroom, the erotic symbolism of towers and grottoes in various cultures, and the sensual and intellectual appeal of anthropomorphic architecture. Examples of particularly sensuous residential buildings are intended to provide architects and their clients with stimulating ideas.
In a chapter on present-day urban ambiences the author argues that personal well-being and the general quality of life in our cities depend on architecture satisfying both the mind and the senses in equal measure. Painting, sculpture, and wrapping art, as well as the relationship between architecture and eroticism in film, are examined. The book concludes with a plea for an architecture of the senses. Vissza