Paul Virilio
- Author(s)
- Paul Virilio
- Publication, year
- New York : Princeton Architectural Press, 1994
- Scope
- 214 Pages, illustrated, 26 cm.
- ISBN
- 1568980159
Paul Virilio's Bunker Archaeology (French edition) was was published on the occasion of the exhibition organized by the Center for Industrial Creation and presented at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris from December 1975 through February 1976. The pictures were taken by Paul Virilio from 1958 to 1965. Paul Virilio analyzes the German WWII fortress bunkers along the French coast in both philosophical and architectural terms. The amazing photographs, taken by Virilio between 1958 and 1965, "capture the lonely and frightening beauty of the bunkers". The beauty of destruction leads Virilio to the architect and minister of war Albert Speer, who he describes as a destructor rather than a constructor. Important historical issues like the forced employment of prisoners and deported civilians on the construction sites by the "Organisation Todt" are mentioned in few words. In the recent past, though, historical research about national socialist bunker projects mainly focus on the dependence between war industry and the exploitation and extermination of concentration camp prisoners. The combination of poetic pictures, philosophical essays and the historic background makes Bunker Archeology a compelling book. It gives answers how to face the beauty of those rotten concrete buildings without any addiction to myth or careless admiration. A great and timeless piece of work.
- Location
- Cabinet 19 - 2: Bunkers en schuilplaatsen
- Remarks
- Incl. Bibliographical References
