Realism Reflected in Aldo Rossi′s Architecture: Focusing on Rancière′s Discourse on Realism

Abstract

This article examines realism in architecture based on Aldo Rossi′s architectural works and Jacques Rancière′s discourse on realism. Rancière views realism as an artistic capacity that gives impetus to new art rather than as a specific art movement. In addition, he considers realism not only in terms of this role in the history of art but also in terms of its aim even today to discover new aspects of art among art and non-art, that is everyday objects. This view is comparable to the idea of architecture espoused by Aldo Rossi. Rossi discovers the boundary between architecture and non-architecture in the process of searching for the architectural archetype, the hut (cabin). Furthermore, he proposes architecture that diverges from architectural methods, placing high value on his personal viewpoint and expression in architecture. In spite of the negative evaluation of his later architectural works, Rossi′s architecture can be viewed as realism since they connect architecture with ordinary objects that are beyond the level of architecture. This article elaborates why the discourse on realism in architecture and the prospect of Rossi′s architecture are still valid today.

Keywords

• realism
• aldo rossi
• jacques rancière
• the aesthetic regime of the arts
• dissensus