#BauMagazine

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Architectural Symbolism: The Lipstick Metaphor in Bau Magazine

The Lipstick Building, also known as 885 Third Avenue, stands as a striking testament to the convergence of architecture and symbolism. Designed by John Burgee and Philip Johnson, it embodies the bold assertion made by architect Hans Hollein in the 1968 issue of Bau magazine: "Everything is Architecture." Inspired by the lipstick's form, this building's elliptical massing and vibrant red hue challenge conventional architectural norms, inviting interpretation beyond mere functionality.

Similarly, Claes Oldenburg's sculpture, Lipstick (Ascending) on Caterpillar Tracks, installed at Yale University in 1969, serves as a poignant commentary on war and gender. Depicting a bullet of lipstick atop tank treads, it symbolizes the intersection of violence and femininity, challenging traditional notions of power and authority.

Hollein's choice to feature lipstick in an architecture magazine reflects a broader cultural fascination with symbols of femininity and sexuality. The lipstick, traditionally associated with notions of beauty and allure, becomes a metaphor for architectural expression, blurring the boundaries between art and built environment.

Moreover, the imagery of lipstick penetrates deeply into discussions of gender and sexuality within architecture. It prompts critical reflection on the representation of women in the built environment and the role of gender in architectural discourse. By juxtaposing the lipstick's phallic connotations with its softer, malleable form, Hollein's imagery subverts traditional gender roles, challenging viewers to reconsider their perceptions of space and identity.

Furthermore, the global influence of this metaphor extends beyond architecture, permeating popular culture and societal norms. The lipstick, as a symbol of femininity and empowerment, transcends geographical boundaries, shaping perceptions of beauty and self-expression worldwide.

In essence, Hollein's use of lipstick as a metaphor in Bau magazine underscores the interconnectedness of architecture, sexuality, and culture. By imbuing built forms with symbolic meaning, architects and artists provoke dialogue and challenge societal norms, enriching our understanding of the built environment and its profound impact on the human experience.

[fassipressreview]

[laawild-blog]

https://www.meisterbob.de

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BauMagazin’ journalists at Fassi

Two journalists from the "Bau Magazin" at the Fassi headquarters

Albino (Italy) - 9th June. Yesterday and today we were delighted to welcome Mr. M. Wulf and Mr. M. Amann from the editorial team of the German magazine "Bau Magazin". During their visit they had the opportunity to visit the Ciesse metalworks in Campagnola and all of Fassi’s production plants. They also met with the company’s entrepreneur, Mr. Giovanni Fassi, for an informal interview. The two journalists were accompanied by the head of the German branch of the Italian company, Mr. Wolfgang Feldmann.

Due giornalisti della rivista Bau Magazin in visita alla sede della Fassi

Albino (Italia) - 9 giugno. Ieri e oggi sono stati nostri graditi ospiti i sigg.ri M. Wulf e M. Amann della redazione della rivista tedesca "bau magazin". Durante la loro permanenza hanno potuto visitare la carpenteria Ciesse di Campagnola e tutti gli impianti produttivi del gruppo Fassi. Inoltre hanno incontrato l'imprenditore dell'azienda, il Sig. Giovanni Fassi, per un' intervista. I due giornalisti sono stati accompagnati dal responsabile della filiale tedesca dell'azienda italiana, il Sig. Wolfgang Feldmann.

Deux journalistes du bauMAGAZIN en visite sur le site de Fassi

Albino (Italie) - 9 juin. Les messieurs Wulf et Amann, de la rédaction du magazine allemand « bauMAGAZIN », ont été nos invités d’honneur, hier et aujourd’hui. Pendant leur séjour, ils ont pu visiter les ateliers de charpenterie métallique Ciesse de Campagnola et l’ensemble du site de production du groupe Fassi. Ils ont en outre rencontré le directeur de l’entreprise, M. Giovanni Fassi, pour une rencontre interview. Les deux journalistes étaient accompagnés par le responsable de la filiale allemande de la société italienne, M. Wolfgang Feldmann.

Zwei Journalisten der Zeitschrift „bauMAGAZIN“ zu Besuch im Fassi-Firmensitz

Albino (Italien) - 09. Juni. Gestern und heute waren die Herren M. Wulf und M. Amann von der Redaktion der deutschen Zeitschrift „bauMAGAZIN“ unsere geschätzten Gäste. Während ihres Aufenthalts konnten sie den Stahlbaubetrieb Ciesse in Campagnola sowie alle Produktionsanlagen des Fassi-Konzerns besichtigen. Außerdem trafen sie den Unternehmer unserer Firma, Herrn Giovanni Fassi, zu einem freundschaftlichen Interview. Die beiden Journalisten wurden von dem Verantwortlichen der deutschen Filiale der italienischen Firma, Herrn Wolfgang Feldmann, begleitet.

Dos periodistas de la revista bauMAGAZIN de visita a la sede de Fassi

Albino (Italia) - 9 de junio. D. M. Wulf y D. M. Amann, de la redacción de la revista alemana bauMAGAZIN, han sido ayer y hoy nuestros invitados de honor. Durante su estancia, han podido visitar el taller de mecanizado Ciesse de Campagnola y todas las plantas de producción del grupo Fassi. Además, se han reunido con el empresario de la compañía, D. Giovanni Fassi, para una charla-entrevista. Los dos periodistas han sido acompañados por el responsable de la filial alemana de la empresa italiana, D. Wolfgang Feldmann.

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#baumagazine #icalondon #londonart (at Institute of Contemporary Arts)

[champ-magazine]

LONDON: The @ICALondon exhibit the remarkable #BauMagazine and it's archive. Bau: the magazine for architecture and contemporary culture began in 1925 as a trade publication, and later found its editorship taken over in 1965 by a group of pioneering Austrian architects. Visual and theoretical essays brought the editors' alternative outlook on architecture a wider audience and they were the first to communicate the work of younger radical architects along with international works (such as designs by architect #BuckminsterFuller and even artists such as #ClaesOldenburg also). "Everything is Architecture" is exhibited in the Fox Reading Room until 27th September. Last notes for a wider outlook on the everyday: "architect #HansHollein boldly claimed that 'Everything is Architecture' - from a lipstick, a pill and a portrait of Che Guevara to an astronaut suit and the radical performances of the Viennese Actionists, all could be considered architectural". #icalondon #Bau #EverythingIsArchitecture (at ICA Institute Of Contemporary Art)

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Whimsical Metaphors: Hans Hollein's Architectural Collages

The Vienna-based architectural magazine Bau: Magazine for Architecture and Urban Planning, during its transformative period between 1965 and 1970, represented a radical departure from conventional architectural discourse. Under the editorial leadership of influential figures like Hans Hollein, Walter Pichler, Günther Feuerstein, and Oswald Oberhuber, Bau became a platform for avant-garde ideas that transcended the boundaries of traditional architecture, delving into the realms of art and politics.

In the groundbreaking 1968 issue of Bau, Hans Hollein provocatively declared "Everything is Architecture," challenging the rigid confines of pre-war modernist architecture. This bold assertion sparked a paradigm shift, urging architects to reconsider their role in society and embrace a more holistic approach to design.

The magazine itself was a departure from the norm, resembling a glossy fashion publication rather than a conventional architectural journal. Its creative use of advertising and vibrant imagery, drawn from a diverse range of sources including art, urbanism, and popular culture, set it apart from its contemporaries.

One of Hollein's most iconic collages, depicting a traditional city juxtaposed with a towering high-rise made of Swiss cheese, epitomized this innovative spirit. In a contemporary reinterpretation, the Swiss cheese high-rise transforms into a square bar of Ritter Sport chocolate, with its corner playfully deconstructed and scattered throughout the city at a smaller scale.

The metaphorical link between modern architecture and Swiss holey cheese, and its whimsical replacement with chocolate, serves as a humorous commentary on our cultural predicament. It highlights the absurdity of rigid architectural conventions and celebrates the potential for creativity and playfulness in the built environment.

Today, as we navigate a world dominated by technological giants like Uber and Amazon, Hollein's assertion that "Everything is Architecture" takes on new meaning. Contemporary art and architecture have the power to comment on and critique our evolving cultural landscape, challenging us to rethink our assumptions and embrace innovation and diversity in all its forms.

In this light, the playful reinterpretation of architectural symbols becomes not only a source of amusement but also a catalyst for critical reflection. By subverting traditional notions of space and form, contemporary artists and architects invite us to question the status quo and imagine new possibilities for the future of our cities and society at large.

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#baumagazine #icalondon #londonart (at Institute of Contemporary Arts)

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#baumagazine #icalondon #londonart (at ICA)

[impossiblesomething]

#baumagazine #icalondon #londonart (at ICA)

[impossiblesomething]

#baumagazine #icalondon #londonart (at Institute of Contemporary Arts)

[fassipressreview]