Architecture As A Media Representation And Re-representation Of Architecture

This dissertation puts forward the contradiction between the contemporary society and the core idea of orthodoxy architecture, then makes a brief review about the various representations of the architecture from different period of time, and our viewpoint falls on the issue of architects're-representations of contemporary architecture, with Rem Koolhaas as the key figure in the case study.In the process of globalization and the alternation from old to new civilization, architecture which serves as the material symbol of civilization has gradually fallen into the bottom of the multifarious economic and social networks, and turns to be the products of capitals in the contemporary era. The content and the core intrinsic system of orthodoxy architecture discipline can not well cover the new requirements as well as present the spirits of the new age. At the same time, the professional meaning of an architect is changed as the range of architecture is extended. Therefore, this article discusses and analyzes the theories and practices of contemporary architects to understand their re-representations of the contemporary architecture.Rem Koolhaas is the most influential architect at present who re-represent contemporary architecture. And his theory and practices make huge influences on the contemporary architectural world. In spite of his radical theory, the incisive questions and profound criticisms as well as reflections he raised bring us a whole new perspective to review some architectural activities and situations of our age. In the first place, because of his unique life experiences and multiple professional backgrounds, Koolhaas owns a totally different perspective to view the existing architectural system and has different understandings of the relationships among the architecture, present society, economy and culture. In the process of reading his theoretical books and systemizing the social and cultural backgrounds when Koolhaas formed his ideological system, his architectural thoughts and its orientation can be learnt clearly, after that the dissertation summarizes the re-representation part in his theory thoughts. In the second place, the expression methods and practices of Koolhaas's re-representation to architecture make us realize that the"OMA-AMO"teamwork mode, and propaganda strategy regarding"Media+Publication+Exhibition"as the main means have a positive role on re-represatation to promote it. Besides, in the exploration process of the expression ways of architecture re-representation, we can read the criticism and self-rethinking consciousness of intellectuals in his thoughts as well from another angle.After the explanation to the re-representation of architecture from Rem Koolhaas, we begin to think the inspiration and meaning from it to Chinese architecture, furthermore, to reflect on our own architectural practices.