Untimely Moderns: How Twentieth-Century Architecture Reimagined the Past

A novel exploration of the idea of nonlinear time and its place at the heart of modern art and architecture. The book explores the interdisciplinary conversation about the meaning of time and history for modern art and architecture, sponsored by a group of thinkers including architects Louis Kahn, Everett Victor Meeks, James Gamble Rogers, Paul Rudolph, and Eero Saarinen, artists Anni and Josef Albers, philosopher Paul Weiss, and art historians Henri Focillon, George Kubler, Sibyl Moholy-Nagy, and Vincent Scully.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 25 July 2023
Publisher: Yale University Press

This captivating book seamlessly weaves together a rich tapestry of 21st-century research, skillfully unraveling the established narratives to present a more comprehensive and intricate understanding of specific eras, locations, and concepts. As Pelkonen adeptly showcases in her work, such a reevaluation becomes particularly pertinent and timely.

Throughout much of the twentieth century, a diverse cohort of thinkers engaged in an interdisciplinary dialogue concerning the significance of time and history for modern art and architecture. This group comprised architects such as Louis Kahn, Everett Victor Meeks, James Gamble Rogers, Paul Rudolph, and Eero Saarinen; artists like Anni and Josef Albers; philosopher Paul Weiss; and art historians such as Henri Focillon, George Kubler, Sibyl Moholy-Nagy, and Vincent Scully. These individuals were united by their rejection of the notion that art and architecture could only be considered modern if they were contemporaneous with their respective times, as well as by the pivotal role that Yale University played as the backdrop to their intellectual pursuits.

These thinkers spearheaded a novel approach, which Eeva-Liisa Pelkonen refers to as "untimely," emphasizing a departure from a linear progression of events. They delved into concepts such as temporal duration, emerging traditions, the lingering presence of the past, and the intricacies of time's shape. Pelkonen employs an interdisciplinary lens to unveil previously unexplored connections among key figures of American intellectual and artistic culture during the mid-century, whose works and words would profoundly influence modern architecture.

Through meticulous research and a keen analytical eye, Pelkonen weaves together a narrative that sheds light on the intricate interplay between time, art, and architecture. She meticulously examines the writings and works of these influential figures, revealing the profound influence they had on each other and the broader cultural landscape. The book offers a fresh perspective on the evolution of modernism, highlighting the ways in which these thinkers challenged traditional notions of time and history and paved the way for new artistic and architectural paradigms.

In conclusion, "Untimely Moderns" is a groundbreaking work that contributes significantly to our understanding of the relationship between time, art, and architecture. By delving into the interdisciplinary dialogue of the past and presenting a fresh perspective on the evolution of modernism, Pelkonen offers readers a deeper appreciation of the complexities and nuances of this dynamic field. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history, theory, and practice of art and architecture, as well as for those seeking to broaden their horizons and explore new avenues of thought.

Weight: 856g
Dimension: 187 x 263 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300263954