Graham Harman, "Architecture and Objects" (U Minnesota Press, 2022)

An interview with Graham Harman

Episode 326 of the New Books in Critical Theory podcast, hosted by Marshall Poe, titled "Graham Harman, "Architecture and Objects" (U Minnesota Press, 2022)" was published on November 4, 2022 and runs 64 minutes.

November 4, 2022 ·64m · New Books in Critical Theory

0:00 / 0:00

Summary

Object-oriented ontology has become increasingly popular among architectural theorists and practitioners in recent years. Architecture and Objects (U Minnesota Press, 2022), the first book on architecture by the founder of object-oriented ontology (OOO), deepens the exchange between architecture and philosophy, providing a new roadmap to OOO’s influence on the language and practice of contemporary architecture and offering new conceptions of the relationship between form and function. Graham Harman opens with a critique of Heidegger, Derrida, and Deleuze, the three philosophers whose ideas have left the deepest imprint on the field, highlighting the limits of their thinking for architecture. Instead, Harman contends, architecture can employ OOO to reconsider traditional notions of form and function that emphasize their relational characteristics—form with a building’s visual style, function with its stated purpose—and constrain architecture’s possibilities through literalism. Harman challenges these understandings by proposing de-relationalized versions of both (zero-form and zero-function) that together provide a convincing rejoinder to Immanuel Kant’s dismissal of architecture as “impure.” Through critical engagement with the writings of Peter Eisenman and fresh assessments of buildings by Rem Koolhaas, Frank Gehry, and Zaha Hadid, Architecture and Objects forwards a bold vision of architecture. Overcoming the difficult task of “zeroing” function, Harman concludes, would place architecture at the forefront of a necessary revitalization of exhausted aesthetic paradigms. Adam Bobeck is a PhD candidate in Cultural Anthropology at the University of Leipzig. His PhD is entitled “Object-Oriented Azadari: Shi’i Muslim Rituals and Ontology”. For more about his work, see www.adambobeck.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory

Episode Description

Object-oriented ontology has become increasingly popular among architectural theorists and practitioners in recent years. Architecture and Objects (U Minnesota Press, 2022), the first book on architecture by the founder of object-oriented ontology (OOO), deepens the exchange between architecture and philosophy, providing a new roadmap to OOO’s influence on the language and practice of contemporary architecture and offering new conceptions of the relationship between form and function. Graham Harman opens with a critique of Heidegger, Derrida, and Deleuze, the three philosophers whose ideas have left the deepest imprint on the field, highlighting the limits of their thinking for architecture. Instead, Harman contends, architecture can employ OOO to reconsider traditional notions of form and function that emphasize their relational characteristics—form with a building’s visual style, function with its stated purpose—and constrain architecture’s possibilities through literalism. Harman challenges these understandings by proposing de-relationalized versions of both (zero-form and zero-function) that together provide a convincing rejoinder to Immanuel Kant’s dismissal of architecture as “impure.” Through critical engagement with the writings of Peter Eisenman and fresh assessments of buildings by Rem Koolhaas, Frank Gehry, and Zaha Hadid, Architecture and Objects forwards a bold vision of architecture. Overcoming the difficult task of “zeroing” function, Harman concludes, would place architecture at the forefront of a necessary revitalization of exhausted aesthetic paradigms. Adam Bobeck is a PhD candidate in Cultural Anthropology at the University of Leipzig. His PhD is entitled “Object-Oriented Azadari: Shi’i Muslim Rituals and Ontology”. For more about his work, see www.adambobeck.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

Apr 13, 2026 ·3m

Apr 13, 2026 ·4m

Apr 13, 2026 ·2m

Apr 13, 2026 ·4m

Apr 13, 2026 ·3m

Apr 13, 2026 ·5m

Similar Podcasts

Author David Alexander Bestselling Thrillers Author David Alexander David Alexander is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling author whose books have sold over five million copies. He is a graduate of Columbia University and Paris Sorbonne. David Alexander's novels and nonfiction titles have won critical acclaim from USA Today, The New York Times, The London Times, The Los Angeles Times, Publishers Weekly, The Wall Street Journal and many other venues in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. His prizewinning thriller, Threatcon Delta: Assault on the Pentagon, reached first place on numerous bestseller lists. Defiant Health Radio with Dr. William Davis William Davis, MD William Davis, MD, cardiologist and author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Wheat Belly books, as well as Undoctored and, most recently, Super Gut, brings the unvarnished truth about many health conditions. So much information in health is crafted by industry, bent to the benefit of healthcare systems, delivered by willfully ignorant physicians. Yet a critical mass of truly useful, safe, effective health information has been reached--but someone has to deliver it to you. That is Dr. Davis' intention. Among the topics the Defiant Health Podcast covers are:--Microbiome health--The key to so many health conditions, as well as preservation of youth and vigor, can be found in the microbiome.--Heart health--You will find no mention of cholesterol or statin drugs here, only hard-hitting, science-based insights.--Thyroid health--Why do endocrinologists and other doctors get thyroid health so wrong? Let's get it right.--Weight loss--We don't count calories, don't push the plate away, or ech Bible (KJV) NT 27: Revelation (Version 2) by King James Version (KJV) LibriVox The Book of Revelation, often known simply as Revelation or the Apocalypse, is the final book of the New Testament and occupies a central place in Christian eschatology. Written in Koine Greek, its title is derived from the first word of the text, apokalypsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation." The author of the work identifies himself in the text as "John" and says that he was on Patmos, an island in the Aegean, when he was instructed by a heavenly figure to write down the contents of a vision. This John is traditionally supposed to be John the Apostle, although some historical-critical scholarship reject this view. Recent scholarship has suggested other possibilities including a putative figure given the name John of Patmos. Most modern scholars believe it was written around AD 95, with some believing it dates from around AD 70.The book spans three literary genres: epistolary, apocalyptic, and prophetic. It begins with an epistolary address to the reader followed by an FLOOD PROTECTION SECRETS by Dr Andreas Klippe｜Homeowner｜Businessman｜Public Servant｜Architect/ Engr. “DR. FLOOD” Andreas Klippe - Engineer, Entrepreneur, Book Author A RUBBER DUCK belongs in the bathtub or swimming pool, but should not float in the living room or garage. Entrepreneur, German engineer and author “DR. FLOOD” Andreas Klippe provides valuable tips in this PODCAST on how to protect buildings and critical infrastructure against the destruction caused by floods and heavy rain.Be there when it comes to protecting business premises, public buildings and important infrastructures, as well as private homes and garages from flooding and destruction caused by high water. This way, the hard-earned money is not spent on clean-up, repairs and replacements, but on the beautiful and important things in life, such as the children's education, a new car or a vacation trip.

URL copied to clipboard!