Learning from Decay: Essays on the Aesthetics of Architectural Dereliction and Its Consumption

Architectural Decay As Well As The Reasons, Effects, Appearance And Representation Of Ruination Have Always Been Important Sources Of Understanding The State Of Our Culture. The Essays In This Co-written Book Offer Broad Perspectives On The Potential Of Ruins, On The Use And Appropriation Of Derelict Architecture And On The Aesthetics And Also Touristification Of Places By Analysing A Variety Of Phenomena In The Range From Classical To Fake Ruins, From Historic City Centres To Hot Dog Stands, From Debris To Theme Parks. The Survey Travels From Tallin Through Venice And Istanbul To Beirut, Discussing Among Others Actual Spaces, Allegorical Monuments And Nostalgic Aestheticisations Of The Past In High And Popular Culture, Thus Showing Numerous Inspiring Opportunities Of Learning From Decay. Machine Generated Contents Note: Layers Of The Past: On The Potential Of Ruins / Zoltan Somhegyi -- Glory Through Decay: Aesthetics Around Monuments And Their Ruination / Zoltan Somhegyi -- Shortcuts To Nostalgia?: On The Attempts Of The Aestheticisation Of The Past / Zoltan Somhegyi -- Cheap Thrills: On Low Architectural Decay And Its Pleasures / Max Ryynanen -- The Most Serene Sinking Ruins: Fragments From The History Of The Aesthetics Of Venice / Max Ryynanen -- Historical Cityscapes As Museums And Theme Parks / Max Ryynanen. Max Ryynänen, Zoltán Somhegyi. Includes Bibliographical References.