A Request
I have embarked upon a new project, one with which you -- yes YOU -- can assist me, should you be so bored.
Anyone who grew up in the late Sixties and Seventies remembers the architecture and design that dominated the period. The bastard child of counter-culturalism and dystopian desperation, it embodies much of what younger generations visualize when they hear "the Seventies". It was ugly, but as I age I find myself pining for it, long after most of it has been torn down.
So I want to create a site dedicated to 60s and 70s architecture -- especially the kitschy and wince-worthy sort. I'm not sure exactly what form the site will take yet, as it's mostly motivated by an unscratched nostalgic itch. The first step, however, is to collect photos of such architecture -- as many as I can get. I've already amassed something of a collection over the past few weeks, but I figure a few dozen searchers are better than just one, so...
If you'd like to assist, just start sending me photos of Modernist, Brutalist, Internationalist, Post-Modernist, and other such styles of buildings and landscapes. I'm especially interested in post-war university campus architecture, (think big grassy slopes and lots of angular concrete and fountains), photos of which appear to be quite rare. Commercial and residential are both welcome as well. Equally difficult to find are quality interior shots of 60s and 70s commercial and institutional buildings, (offices, department stores, libraries, hospitals, etc.)
There is currently a small revivalist movement afoot, especially in Post-Modernism, though I don't expect it to take hold. It's more a passing fad. Photos of those so-called modern "reprisals" are also welcome.
So if you're really, really bored and looking for something to do, feel free to cast about for photos. I'd greatly appreciate the help. If you know any provenance or details about the structure or landscape involved, feel free to send that along as well.
Here are a few sample shots to illustrate what I'm looking for, but my search is by no means limited to just these styles. If you grew up in the period, you know exactly what I'm looking for, as the images are burned (painfully, no doubt) into your brain; no illustrations are required.
Anyone who grew up in the late Sixties and Seventies remembers the architecture and design that dominated the period. The bastard child of counter-culturalism and dystopian desperation, it embodies much of what younger generations visualize when they hear "the Seventies". It was ugly, but as I age I find myself pining for it, long after most of it has been torn down.
So I want to create a site dedicated to 60s and 70s architecture -- especially the kitschy and wince-worthy sort. I'm not sure exactly what form the site will take yet, as it's mostly motivated by an unscratched nostalgic itch. The first step, however, is to collect photos of such architecture -- as many as I can get. I've already amassed something of a collection over the past few weeks, but I figure a few dozen searchers are better than just one, so...
If you'd like to assist, just start sending me photos of Modernist, Brutalist, Internationalist, Post-Modernist, and other such styles of buildings and landscapes. I'm especially interested in post-war university campus architecture, (think big grassy slopes and lots of angular concrete and fountains), photos of which appear to be quite rare. Commercial and residential are both welcome as well. Equally difficult to find are quality interior shots of 60s and 70s commercial and institutional buildings, (offices, department stores, libraries, hospitals, etc.)
There is currently a small revivalist movement afoot, especially in Post-Modernism, though I don't expect it to take hold. It's more a passing fad. Photos of those so-called modern "reprisals" are also welcome.
So if you're really, really bored and looking for something to do, feel free to cast about for photos. I'd greatly appreciate the help. If you know any provenance or details about the structure or landscape involved, feel free to send that along as well.
Here are a few sample shots to illustrate what I'm looking for, but my search is by no means limited to just these styles. If you grew up in the period, you know exactly what I'm looking for, as the images are burned (painfully, no doubt) into your brain; no illustrations are required.
posted by Jar(egg)head at 13:37
2 Comments:
Oh wow! Cool, I'm in! It's funny the things that nostalgia can drive interest in, things that never caught our notice (or so we thought) when we were young.
BTW, nice pic of the Best store that used to be across the street from Almeda Mall. That was such a cool looking store. The were a very small national chain that had most of their stores designed to be eye-catchingly odd in appearance.
Hmm, the Alley theater is still standing as is the old Houston Post building I believe. They both seem to fit your criteria.
Post a Comment
<< Home