Warburg Models: Buildings as Bilderfahrzeuge

Architectural patronage played a significant role in the thinking of Aby Warburg and his circle, with the Kulturwissenschaftliche Bibliothek Warburg in Hamburg and the Hamburg Planetarium being key examples. Warburg Models: Buildings as Bilderfahrzeuge explores this history through archive photographs, architectural drawings, and architectural models, showing how the Warburg scholars projected a connection between their physical occupancy of architectural space and their shared ideas about intellectual order, cultural survival, and memory.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 112 pages
Publication date: 07 December 2023
Publisher: Hatje Cantz

Architectural patronage played a pivotal role in the intellectual pursuits of Aby Warburg and his circle. In Hamburg, the purpose-built Kulturwissenschaftliche Bibliothek Warburg, completed in 1926, served as the central hub for Warburg's remarkable collection. From 1927 onwards, Warburg began to develop ideas regarding orientation, particularly in his visionary transformation of a disused water tower into the Hamburg Planetarium. This architectural commissioning tradition continued after the Warburg Institute relocated to London in 1933, encompassing projects designed by the avant-garde practice Tecton during the 1930s. It culminated in the construction of the library's current home at Woburn Square, Bloomsbury, in 1958.

Warburg Models: Buildings as Bilderfahrzeuge delves into this historical narrative, utilizing a wealth of archive photographs, architectural drawings, and a series of architectural models to illustrate how Warburg scholars envisioned a profound connection between their physical occupation of architectural space and their shared ideas about intellectual order, cultural survival, and memory.

The Kulturwissenschaftliche Bibliothek Warburg, designed by architect Walter Gropius, stands as a testament to the significance of architectural patronage in Warburg's intellectual journey. Completed in 1926, the library was meticulously planned to house Warburg's extensive collection of books, manuscripts, and artwork. The building's design reflects Warburg's interest in integrating art and architecture, with its spacious, light-filled rooms and carefully curated displays.

Warburg's ideas about orientation took shape in the transformation of the Hamburg Planetarium, a disused water tower that he acquired in 1927. Under his direction, the planetarium was transformed into a space for astronomical observation and education, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and designed to evoke a sense of awe and wonder. The planetarium became a symbol of Warburg's belief in the interconnectedness of all things, and his vision of using architecture to create a space for the exploration of intellectual and cultural ideas.

After the Warburg Institute relocated to London in 1933, the architectural commissioning tradition continued. Warburg commissioned Tecton, an avant-garde architectural practice, to design several buildings, including the Warburg Institute's new headquarters at Woburn Square. Tecton's designs were characterized by their innovative use of materials and their commitment to modernism. The buildings, such as the Institute's library and lecture halls, showcased Warburg's belief in the power of architecture to shape intellectual discourse and foster cultural exchange.

The construction of the library's present home at Woburn Square, Bloomsbury, in 1958 marked the culmination of this architectural commissioning tradition. The building, designed by architect James Stirling, was a masterpiece of modernist architecture, with its clean lines, geometric shapes, and use of natural light. The library's interior was designed to optimize the reading experience, with a vast array of bookshelves and a serene reading room that provided a peaceful retreat for scholars.

Warburg Models: Buildings as Bilderfahrzeuge follows this history, using a combination of archive photographs, architectural drawings, and architectural models to showcase how Warburg scholars projected a connection between their physical occupancy of architectural space and their shared ideas about intellectual order, cultural survival, and memory. The book explores the ways in which Warburg's architectural commissions shaped his intellectual pursuits and contributed to the development of his unique vision of the world.

In conclusion, architectural patronage played a crucial role in the thinking of Aby Warburg and his circle. The Kulturwissenschaftliche Bibliothek Warburg, designed by Walter Gropius, served as a central hub for Warburg's remarkable collection. Warburg's ideas about orientation took shape in the transformation of the Hamburg Planetarium and continued to evolve through his commissions of Tecton. The construction of the library's present home at Woburn Square, Bloomsbury, in 1958 marked the culmination of this architectural commissioning tradition, showcasing Warburg's belief in the power of architecture to shape intellectual discourse and foster cultural exchange.

Weight: 442g
Dimension: 213 x 282 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783775755207