Constant Anton Nieuwenhuys (1920 - 2005)
Related: Situationism - modern architecture - Dutch art
Biography
Constant Anton Nieuwenhuys (July 21, 1920 – August 1, 2005) was one of the foremost innovators of Unitary Urbanism. Generally known simply as Constant, in 1948 he founded the Experimentele Groep Holland with Corneille, Karel Appel and his own brother, Jan Nieuwenhuys. They then went on to link up with Christian Dotrement, Joseph Noiret, Belgium and Asger Jorn, Denmark to form CoBrA. Scorched Earth I (1951) is one of his noted works from this period. Artist also well known for his life-long work New Babylon, a series of models, collages and other projects related to his theories of urban development and social interaction. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constant_Nieuwenhuys [Mar 2006]
Unitary Urbanism
The praxis originates from the Lettrist technique of hypergraphics which was applied to architecture by the LI. A critique of urbanism was further developed in the 1950s by the Lettrist International, consisting of a range of practices including but not limited to:
- the situation
- the dérive or drift
- psychogeography
- detournement
- industrial painting
- recuperation
- revolution
The critical practice continued to be developed by the situationists and others. It was abandoned for the theory of the spectacle after the Second Situationist International and Situationist Antinational were formed. London based evoL Psychogeographix is one of the few groups openly practicing unitary urbanism today.
Unitary Urbanists Constant Nieuwenhuys - Piero Simondo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unitary_Urbanism [Mar 2006]
Constant's New Babylon (1999) - Mark Wigley
Constant's New Babylon (1999) - Mark Wigley [Amazon.com] [FR] [DE] [UK]
Book Description
The New Babylon Project was a project that consisted of a vast, layered, sheltered structure, supported by pillars and covering the entire earth. Human labor is rendered superfluous. Dwelling, work, recreation and transportation take a back seat to that which drives Homo Ludens, creativity. Constant was proposing an alternate society and along with it, an alternate architecture. Not just for those with architectural concerns, but for anyone who thinks. --via Amazon.com