Friday, July 31, 2009

Technopoles and totalitarianism, Part 1












REFLECTIONS
, August 1, 2009

I have always wondered if the constructing of The Petronas Twin Tower was necessary. Architecturally it is indeed a modern wonder of the world, at a time when Taiwan and India and the UAE were also planning to build the world's tallest structure. Generally the Asian countries were racing to show the industrial west which of them can built the tallest tower although their economy is merely famed as a toothpick capital of the world.

The 1990s was a period of abundance for Malaysia, thanks to a boom in property market which eventually led to a bust when all hell of the Asian capitalist world broke loose through the 1997 Fall of the Baht and the house of cards popularly known as the Tom Yam Effect.

Is the Petronas Twin Tower a symbol of sustainability and does it signify the aspiration of the poor of Malaysia? Or is it a semiotic of megalomania and grandiose the country had to suffer though ultimately; a sign and signifier of totalitarianism Asian styled?

Brings me to this question: for who/whom must architects serve?
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5 comments:

Tamerlane said...

If the pharoahs didn’t build the pyramids, tourists would visit egypt today just to eat dirt and sand

Samuel Goh Kim Eng said...

WHAT MONUMENTS TO BUILD?

If there be monuments to be left behind
Let them be the monuments of the heart
For there's nothing that will stronger bind
Your very own mouth with your favourite tart

(C) Samuel Goh Kim Eng - 010809
http://MotivationInMotion.blogspot.com
Sat. 1st Aug. 2009.

Anonymous said...

The PETRONAS Twin Towers is an architectural wonder, but I think its construction and the development of the whole KLCC area served as an economic catalyst during the economic downturn.

Tamerlane said...

How else do you explain the million dollar apartments sprouting like mushrooms all around it. Not to mention the instant worldwide recognition of Malaysia once the towers are mentioned. I wish they had made a bigger park much like central park next to it.

Anonymous said...

Nak Idea Stimulus?

Yg buleh lönjak bawak Kotaraya ke wajah standat dunia No 1?

Bukak Map KL.

Tanah Melayu Kg Baru = 3 x saiz tanah KLCC.

Buatkan jembatan baru dual 4 menyeberang AKLEH/sungai kat belah tepi Public Bank dari Jalan Pinang depan KLCC.

Lebarkan jalan tu straight ke Naza Showroom. Majukanlah le.

Buntut Kg Sg Baru akan jadi Muka Depan.

Bayangkan berapa ramai Millionaire Melayu bertuah kalau setitik yg dah dibelanjakan di Putrajaya tu tumpah kat Kg Baru, Keramat & Pandan sejak 15 tahun dulu.

Malangnya kalau dibangunkan lak nanti orang asing/kroni/politik je yang untong kang.

Pemilik/penghuni kota berbangsa Melayu terusan diklepet/tersepit.

Tapi kalau tak dibangunkan pun, sapa yg kini menghuni Kg Pandan/Kg Melayu Ampang?

Gi le tengok dgn mata kepala tanya sama hati.

Jawapannya x pelik.

Yg pelik kalau ada hati yang tergerak nak bagi Melayu mampu hidup semewah macham kemasan E-Kondo Spore dibeli cuma pada harga 1/2 price.

Tak perlu harap pada diskaun bumi Developer Ah Seng yg dijaki jenis Chow Kia.

Soalannya: Ke mana Melayu yang pandai? Ke nak tunggu sorang lagi Ananda mintak menunjukkan jalan?

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