Marcel Duchamp and the Architecture of Desire

While much has been written on Marcel Duchamp - one of the twentieth century's most beguiling artists - the subject of his flirtation with architecture seems to have been largely overlooked. Yet, in the carefully arranged plans and sections organising the blueprint of desire in the Large Glass, his numerous pieces replicating architectural fragments, and his involvement in designing exhibitions, Duchamp's fascination with architectural design is clearly evident.

As his unconventional architectural influences - Niceron, Lequeu and Kiesler - and diverse legacy - Tschumi, OMA, Webb, Diller + Scofidio and Nicholson - indicate, Duchamp was not as much interested in 'built' architecture as he was in the architecture of desire, re-constructing the imagination through drawing and testing the boundaries between reality and its aesthetic and philosophical possibilities.

Marcel Duchamp and the Architecture of Desire examines the link between architectural thinking and Duchamp's work. By employing design, drawing and making - the tools of the architect - Haralambidou performs an architectural analysis of Duchamp’s final enigmatic work 'Given: 1. The Waterfall, 2. The Illuminating Gas'… demonstrating an innovative research methodology able to grasp meaning beyond textual analysis. This novel reading of his ideas and methods adds to, but also challenges, other art-historical interpretations.

It is a sole-authored book, result of a research spanning more than ten years and part of Ashgate's Design in Architecture Research series. MDAD is an original exploration tracing the links between architectural design and Duchamp’s work. MDAD introduces three themes – allegory, visuality and desire – which permeate and organise the ideas explored in the book. Through these themes, Haralambidou defines and theorizes an alternative ‘drawing’ practice positioned between art and architecture that predates and includes Duchamp.

About the Author

Penelope Haralambidou is an architect, researcher and lecturer at the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, where she coordinates the MPhil/PhD Architectural Design and design Unit One. Haralambidou studied architecture engineering at NTU, Athens and her graduating thesis project received a Commendation from the Greek Technical Chamber in 1993 and an Excellence in Design Student Award from the AIA, UK Chapter in 1995. She completed the MArch Architecture Design with Distinction in 1995, and the PhD Architectural Design in 2003, both at the Bartlett, UCL, supported by scholarships from Alexander S. Onassis, IKY foundations and the Maggie Scrutton Award.
 

Marcel Duchamp and the Architecture of Desire.
Penelope Haralambidou, Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, UK.
Imprint.- Ashgate.
Illustrations.- Includes 46 colour and 225 b&w illustrations.
Published.- December 2013.
Format.- 220 x 240 mm.
Extent.- 350 pages.
Binding.- Paperback.
ISBN.- 978-1-4094-4345-2.