A Journey Through Postmodern Architecture
When Denise Scott Brown first visited Las Vegas in the 1960s, she experienced a whirlwind of emotions. In a new documentary, she recalls, "The first thing I felt was a kind of shiver. Was it horror or was it pleasure?" The vibrant neon signs captivated her, prompting her to wonder what architects could learn from such bold expressions of everyday life.
Fast forward fifty years, and Denise returns to Las Vegas alongside her husband, Robert Venturi. This dynamic duo reshaped modern architecture by prioritizing popular taste and the beauty of the ordinary over the sterile aesthetics of modernism. Their seminal book, Learning from Las Vegas, encapsulated their revolutionary ideas that celebrated diversity and color in architecture.
In the film Stardust, directed by their son Jim Venturi, viewers are treated to engaging vignettes and insights into the lives of these architectural trailblazers. The film showcases their quirky personalities and their significant contributions to the field, featuring a mix of archival footage and interviews with notable critics, some of whom have since passed away.
Venturi's witty commentary likens their work to Michelangelo’s, saying, "This is the equivalent of Michelangelo’s Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome," as they stroll through a neon sign graveyard.
The film also touches on the controversy surrounding their only UK project, the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery, which is currently undergoing significant changes. Though the film doesn’t dwell on these modifications, it highlights the tumultuous design process they faced, revealing the larger-than-life egos involved.
Colin Amery, a late architectural historian, humorously recalls the challenges of working with Venturi, who once claimed, "They wouldn’t do this to Shakespeare." Denise lightens the mood by attributing her husband's dramatic flair to his Mediterranean roots.
Stardust also serves as a critique of the architectural establishment's treatment of Denise, who often found herself overshadowed by her husband's accolades. Despite being a critical part of their success, her contributions were frequently overlooked, emphasizing the persistent issue of misogyny in architecture.
The film underscores the need to recognize Scott Brown's influence and correct the historical imbalances in credit that have long plagued their partnership.
In a poignant moment, Denise reminds us, "Maybe there’s a shortsightedness in stardom: you can’t see enough because you’re blinded by the light that you’re generating."
Glorious contradictions abound … Children's Museum, Houston, Texas, designed by Scott Brown and Venturi.
Fractious design process … the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery, designed by Venturi and Scott Brown.
The spectre of misogyny recurs … Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown.
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