….The Cultural Value of Creativity ///////////////////ClassDiscussion

If architecture is indeed an individualist pursuit, what relevance to society does a fantastically creative and original piece of architecture have? Despite the western world appearing to be highly globalised, much importance is still placed upon arts that convey a sense of regionalism; something which a community at large can associate with, simply through cultural prompts. Whilst in the western world, we are essentially subscribed only to modern architecture; a sense of culture could be considered to be lost because of this. Modern architecture is an avenue for creativity, but does this mean that it is not relevant culturally, and that creativity and culture are, in effect, opposites? The longest standing buildings are those that adhere strictly to archetypal cultural forms, meanwhile a twenty-year old concrete box could be knocked down because it is deemed 'unfashionable' by the select few who govern, though both buildings could be equally as non responsive to climate or usage. For instance, in the Treasury building in Brisbane is revered, though many other buildings in Brisbane are ridiculed.

At the same time as this, modernism should not be mindlessly coupled with individuality. Many new forms and ideals have grown from, and because of, modernism, though replication remains. Whilst this could be viewed as departing from culture, it could also be interpreted as a form of cultural evolution. Creativity could be considered as the point where culture begins. Though it is vital to remain attached to the manners and activities of the people and context for which you are designing. As this true creativity and individuality may be very hard to attain, it is extremely important to a culture, and people. In the Fountainhead, Ayn Rand melodramatically writes; ”...That man, the unsubmissive and first, stands in the opening chapter of every legend mankind has recorded about its beginning.”

///////////////////// The key question arising from this discussion is where does individual and creative architecture grasp the imagination of the casual observer?