The discipline of architecture is founded on the ambition to elevate the product of the mere practice of building (Baukunst) into pure self-representation (Architektur): technique and form. The cornerstone is that particular building element through which to grasp the general issue: the decorative covering of the building, useless to its statics, makes the underlying tensions of the corner perceptible and conveys a sense of solidity. From Baukunst to Architektur. The 1693 earthquake razes Catania to the ground, making its reconstruction necessary. Something extra-ordinary happens with respect to the proposed theme: the cornerstone is chosen as a practical tool to implement the reconstruction plan. The case of Catania thus represents a curious reversal: what elsewhere has always been one of the forms of Architektur, finds new meaning in urban reconstruction, rediscovering itself as a constructive element functional to the Baukunst of the new city. From Architektur to Baukunst. The modernity of Catania's reconstruction plan lies in the idea that the fragment builds the city, and the proof of its success is given by the inhabitants themselves, who call an entirely new city, rebuilt just over three hundred years ago, the "historic center."
La disciplina architettonica si fonda sull’ambizione di elevare il risultato della mera pratica del costruire (Baukunst) in pura rappresentazione di sé (Architektur): tecnica e forma. Il cantonale è quell’elemento costruttivo particolare attraverso il quale cogliere la questione generale: il rivestimento decorativo dell’edificio, inutile alla sua statica, rende percepibili le tensioni sottese all’angolo e restituisce un senso di solidità. Da Baukunst ad Architektur. Il sisma del 1693 rade al suolo Catania rendendone necessaria la ricostruzione. Rispetto al tema proposto avviene qualcosa di extra-ordinario: il cantonale viene scelto come strumento operativo per attuare concretamente il piano di ricostruzione. Il caso di Catania rappresenta dunque un curioso ribaltamento: quella che altrove è sempre stata una delle forme della Architektur, ritrova nella ricostruzione urbana nuovo significato, riscoprendosi elemento costruttivo funzionale alla Baukunst della nuova città. Da Architektur a Baukunst. La modernità del piano di ricostruzione di Catania sta nel fondarsi sull’idea che il frammento costruisce la città e la prova della sua riuscita è data dagli stessi catanesi che chiamano “centro storico” una città del tutto nuova, ricostruita poco più di trecento anni fa.
Da Architektur a Baukunst: il cantonale e la modernità di Catania
Matteo Pennisi;
2023-01-01
Abstract
The discipline of architecture is founded on the ambition to elevate the product of the mere practice of building (Baukunst) into pure self-representation (Architektur): technique and form. The cornerstone is that particular building element through which to grasp the general issue: the decorative covering of the building, useless to its statics, makes the underlying tensions of the corner perceptible and conveys a sense of solidity. From Baukunst to Architektur. The 1693 earthquake razes Catania to the ground, making its reconstruction necessary. Something extra-ordinary happens with respect to the proposed theme: the cornerstone is chosen as a practical tool to implement the reconstruction plan. The case of Catania thus represents a curious reversal: what elsewhere has always been one of the forms of Architektur, finds new meaning in urban reconstruction, rediscovering itself as a constructive element functional to the Baukunst of the new city. From Architektur to Baukunst. The modernity of Catania's reconstruction plan lies in the idea that the fragment builds the city, and the proof of its success is given by the inhabitants themselves, who call an entirely new city, rebuilt just over three hundred years ago, the "historic center."I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
