'Colonial Modern: Aesthetics of the Past, Rebellions of the Future' is a very timely look at the impact of Western Modernist architecture on the colonial and post-colonial countries of North Africa, and one of the first attempts to untangle this complex mesh of ideology and aesthetics.
The genuine economic advantages of building in steel and reinforced concrete enabled large swathes of new housing to be built across the region. But with the whitewashed walls came some rather unsavoury presumptions, particularly the idea that the colonies were a sandbox for architectural experimentation, free from the 'heritage' concerns of the Western city. 'Colonial Africa was transformed into a laboratory for Western modernity,' writes Bernd M Scherer in his introduction, adding that these large-scale ventures in system building were subsequently re-imported back into Europe in the post-war years.
For the proponents of 'heroic' modernism, the deserts of Algeria and Morocco represented unbounded opportunity. There are plenty of striking buildings illustrated within, but their iconic time in the sun was short-lived. Now, over half a century later, the most fascinating parts of Colonial Modern are the way modernist sterility has been reappropriated and altered, a messy hierarchy of spaces that reflects the complex - and now crumbling - power structures that emerged in the post-colonial era.
Densely illustrated and impeccably researched, Colonial Modern pulls in aspects of architectural, cultural and political history to provide a fascinating look at the dangers of aesthetic imperialism.
Inside Colonial Modern: Housing projects on the empty field of Sidi Othman in Casablanca, 1955
Sidi Othman in 2008, with ’closed off balconies and … a park, attempting to fence off the housing complex to restrict access from the poorer districts nearby’
Hygiene school in Oran, Hammam Bou Adjar, Algeria, by Mauri et al, Candilis, ATBAT-Afrique, 1957
Maroc 54, Encyclopedie d’Outre-Mer, Special Edition 1954
Re-imported modernism: systems building developed in the colonies is sent back to France’s troubled banlieus.
El Hank Settlement, Casablanca, built by Aroutcheff, Lucaud, Moranti, Roussseau, Zeligson (construction 1952-53)
Photograph: Marion von Osten, 2008
Algerians rallying in support of Angolan independence (10 February 1963, Algiers)
-
Oliver Spencer’s winter collection is a lesson in good outerwearPrepare for sudden temperature drops with Oliver Spencer’s Alpine-inspired winter collection, ‘Postcards from Lech-Zürs’, whereby outerwear – crafted from traditional British fabric – is front and centre
-
The Volkswagen Passat is a sober, straight edged estate car that feels increasingly out of timeWhy would anyone pass on a Passat? Volkswagen’s big load lugger proves that the old ideas are still the best
-
Italian designer Enrico Marone Cinzano fuses natural perfection with industrial imperfectionEnrico Marone Cinzano's first solo show at New York’s Friedman Benda gallery debuts collectible furniture designs that marry organic materials with upcycled industrial components
-
'Tropicality' explored in Indonesian architect Andra Matin’s first monograph'Tropicality' is a key theme in a new book on Indonesian architect Andra Matin, whose work blends landscape, architecture and living
-
‘A Time ⋅ A Place’ is a lovingly compiled photographic portrait of cars and architecture‘A Time ⋅ A Place’ is a celebration of the European Car of the Year and changing perceptions of modern design, pairing the best buildings of the age with their automotive contemporaries
-
Álvaro Siza’s new monograph through the lens of Duccio Malagamba is impactful and immersiveÁlvaro Siza and photographer Duccio Malagamba collaborate on a new monograph by Phaidon; ‘Before / After: Álvaro Siza Duccio Malagamba’ celebrates the Portuguese architect's work
-
Marcio Kogan’s Studio MK27 celebrated in this new monograph from Rizzoli‘The Architecture of Studio MK27. Lights, camera, action’ is a richly illustrated journey through the evolution of this famed Brazilian architecture studio
-
‘Interior sculptor’ Christophe Gevers’ oeuvre is celebrated in new book‘Christophe Gevers’ is a sleek monograph dedicated to the Belgian's life work as an interior architect, designer, sculptor and inventor, with unseen photography by Jean-Pierre Gabriel
-
Flick through ‘Brutal Wales’, a book celebrating concrete architecture‘Brutal Wales’ book zooms into a selection of concrete Welsh architecture treasures through the lens of photographer Simon Phipps
-
Architecture books to inspire shelf loveHere at Wallpaper*, we’ve got architecture books piling up; among them, these are the photographic tomes, architects’ monographs and limited editions that we couldn’t resist
-
Pioneering modernist Henry Kulka's life and career tracked in limited-edition monographCzech-New Zealand architect Henry Kulka, a man who spread modernist ideals half way around the world, is celebrated in Giles Reid and Mary Gaudin’s richly illustrated monograph
