No amount of manifest absurdity... could deter those who wanted to believe from believing.
Bernard LevinRead
What has happened to architecture since the second world war that the only passers-by who can contemplate it without pain are those equipped with a white stick and a dog?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques contemporary architecture, suggesting it is difficult for many to appreciate due to its unpleasantness.
Bernard Levin's quote reflects a deep concern about the state of architecture in the post-World War II era. He points out that modern buildings seem to evoke discomfort, implying that the only people who find solace in them are those who are visually impaired, thus commenting on the disconnect between architecture and its ability to evoke beauty or comfort in the general public. This critique raises questions about the aesthetic values and practicality of urban design in contemporary society.
Themes
ArchitectureCritiqueAestheticsDiscomfortUrban Design
In practice
Example use cases
This quote would be impactful in a discussion about the evolution of modern architecture at a design conference.
More from Bernard Levin
All quotes →Ask a man which way he is going to vote, and he will probably tell you. Ask him, however, why, and vagueness is all.
Bernard LevinRead
If we expected self-reliance of family groups, if we expected hardiness and resilience and initiative on the part of individuals, and if we rewarded initiative instead of dependence on government, we would not only ameliorate many of the family-related social problems we see at present, but we would also reduce our vulnerability to terrorism. People who are hardy, resilient, and self reliant are a lot harder to terrorize.
Bernard LevinRead
Similar quotes
The desire for symmetry, for balance, for rhythm in form as well as in sound, is one of the most inveterate of human instincts.
Edith WhartonRead
Where I grew up, in Aldgate, east London, one of the poorest boroughs in the country, I saw lots that was real - the bankers with their briefcases, the man next door with five wives, the illegal immigrants in Flat 5. I'm from a world you rarely see on screen, and I want to show it off.
Michaela CoelRead
In Seattle, I soon found that my radical ideas and aesthetic explorations - ideas and explorations that in Richmond, Virginia, might have gotten me stoned to death with hush puppies - were not only accepted but occasionally applauded.
Tom RobbinsRead
'Rent' was the show that made me want to write. Or that showed me you're allowed to write.
Lin-Manuel MirandaRead
The poet, the artist, the sleuth, whoever sharpens our perception tends to antisocial; rarely 'well adjusted,' he cannot go along with currents and trends.
Marshall McluhanRead
It’s such a fun job, and it can be silly and light and about making people laugh. I think I was doing it a disservice by thinking it’s not something ultimately important. I always was saying, ‘I’m not saving lives; I’m not a brain surgeon.’ And that’s true—I’m not saving anyone from any life-threatening illnesses. But I get to tell stories, and that’s a pretty important task.
Emma StoneRead