However, I believe we can find sometimes unexpectedly architectural spaces that resist pure utilitarianism or the pure representational purpose of individuals (may it be the patron, may it be the architect). Their meanings, while difficult to delineate, appear to be different. Seemingly open to be used or to be claimed by use, they also look as if autonomous from any use. Either, they retain a topology of references or they seem to be built out of a sudden impulse. Having found such places, I started reading the signs of a desire for modernity. In Hooksiel I found interest not as much in the architecture of the village but in the architectural qualities of a landscape that seems to hold a desire for modernity. I was assured when I found out how young the land extensions were in this area, how recent the land was gained from the sea. I began with panorama shots of such places: the inner dikes behind Hooksiel, the passageway to the beach called "Geniusstrand" located between industrial zones, the shore. Later in the season, the beach of Hooksiel became emptier and the picture started to be dominated by the typical modern brick buildings. Isn't it remarkable that all architecture along the European coast seams to be similar? Mostly, it seems to imitate modern architecture or the avant-garde style. To me, this is even more remarkable as the tourist industry is calling for artificial-traditional architecture and cozy, kitschy décor. Furthermore, the newly built quarters of Hooksiel caught my eyes. Although built to resemble old traditional village forms, they have the typical suburban layout. More and more, I became aware of the overall suburban structure of the village. Thus, to me, the dead ends of "Tegeler Plate", decorated with a single tree sticking out from a rounded cobble stone mound, became a symbol of suburban patterns. This good-will gesture of community planning seems weird, as it appears at once as very familiar and as completely functionless. Dec. 2001 |
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"Traute Räume - Hooksiel"  |
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