k
Page | 20
REM KOOLHAAS
Junkspace
The next analogy is the diet. In
terms of the quality of the
space, it is marketed as
something healthy. However, it
is just the make-up of it. It is also
marketed to us like there will be
an award like we give a break to
the diet once a week.
For instance, the airports, train
stations or shopping malls have
make-ups to get more audience.
However, it is not the case;
there is something paradoxical.
Airports can be counted as nonspaces because there is always
momentary relation with the
space; you do not feel that you
belong there. In this kind of
spaces,
everybody
waits,
everybody reaches everywhere;
however, they are all different in
terms of their identity.
White wall can be the next
analogy. He says that different
types of paintings are hang up
on the same white walls. All
have different identity again; in
terms of their techniques or
colors, however, they are on the
same wall to be exhibited.
The other analogy is the
definition of junkspace through
bestseller books. It might be
related with some provoking
subject, something popular or
something that creates chaos. It
attracts
many
audience.
However, when we look at its
content, we see that it is empty.
Another
analogy
is
the
radioactive wastes.
He explains that in pre-modern
era, aging of the materials was
okay,
however,
in
the
contemporary urban space we
try to make-up things. Cracks or
deficiencies are not seen; we
packed them to be seen as nice.
Even we are not using the
materials as they are.
Koolhaas uses many other
analogies such as Jacuzzi, openoffice working spaces, Bermuda
triangle, a screen saver, web
without a spider, ballrooms,
fascism
minus
dictator,
sandwich, forest fire in LA,
paintings on white walls etc.
__________________________
Koolhaas, Rem. ‘Junkspace’, in I
de SolaMorales, Differences:
Topographies of Contemporary
Architecture, Cambridge Mass.:
MIT Press, 1997: pp. 175-190.
BEYOND ARCHITECTURE | SUMMER 2015 | ISSUE 1