No Distance at All: The Figure of Islands in Two Articles by Hubert Damisch

Michael Jasper

doi:10.55939/a5407pu4ha

No Distance at All: The Figure of Islands in Two Articles by Hubert Damisch

Michael Jasper

Built Environment Program

Research output: A Conference proceeding or a Chapter in Book › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

This paper conjectures that analysis of the figure of islands and associated terms such as distance, gap, separation, and isolation in the writing of Hubert Damisch may allow us to begin to understand his definition of architecture as that aesthetic condition occupying the gap or seam between ‘form and formlessness’.
To test this hypothesis, the paper undertakes a comparative analysis of two articles by Damisch. While other writings are referenced, the paper focuses on “Blotting Out Architecture? A Fable in Seven Parts,” and “Against the Slope: La Tourette”. Both published in the early 2000’s, the former engages the Blur Building, Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland (2002) by Diller + Scofidio, the latter focuses on Le Corbusier’s Dominican Monastery of La Tourette, Eveaux-sur-l’Arbresle, France (1953-1960).
The paper asks: By what means and in what forms do the differences in approach and effect of the two buildings manifest themselves for Damisch?

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings of the Society of Architectural Historians, Australia and New Zealand
Subtitle of host publication	40, Islands
Editors	Ashley Paine, Kirsty Volz
Place of Publication	Australia
Publisher	Society of Architectural Historians of Australia and New Zealand (SAHANZ)
Pages	35-36
Number of pages	2
ISBN (Print)	9781763877207
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.55939/a5407pu4ha
Publication status	Published - 15 Jan 2025
Event	The 40th Annual SAHANZ Conference - Brisbane, Australia Duration: 2 Dec 2024 → 4 Dec 2024

Conference

Conference	The 40th Annual SAHANZ Conference
Country/Territory	Australia
City	Brisbane
Period	2/12/24 → 4/12/24

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

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10.55939/a5407pu4ha

Cite this

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title = "No Distance at All: The Figure of Islands in Two Articles by Hubert Damisch",

abstract = "This paper conjectures that analysis of the figure of islands and associated terms such as distance, gap, separation, and isolation in the writing of Hubert Damisch may allow us to begin to understand his definition of architecture as that aesthetic condition occupying the gap or seam between {\textquoteleft}form and formlessness{\textquoteright}. To test this hypothesis, the paper undertakes a comparative analysis of two articles by Damisch. While other writings are referenced, the paper focuses on “Blotting Out Architecture? A Fable in Seven Parts,” and “Against the Slope: La Tourette”. Both published in the early 2000{\textquoteright}s, the former engages the Blur Building, Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland (2002) by Diller + Scofidio, the latter focuses on Le Corbusier{\textquoteright}s Dominican Monastery of La Tourette, Eveaux-sur-l{\textquoteright}Arbresle, France (1953-1960). The paper asks: By what means and in what forms do the differences in approach and effect of the two buildings manifest themselves for Damisch? ",

keywords = "Hubert Damisch, figure of islands, Blur Building, Dominican Monastery of La Tourette",

author = "Michael Jasper",

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booktitle = "Proceedings of the Society of Architectural Historians, Australia and New Zealand",

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note = "The 40th Annual SAHANZ Conference ; Conference date: 02-12-2024 Through 04-12-2024",

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Jasper, M 2025, No Distance at All: The Figure of Islands in Two Articles by Hubert Damisch. in A Paine & K Volz (eds), Proceedings of the Society of Architectural Historians, Australia and New Zealand: 40, Islands. Society of Architectural Historians of Australia and New Zealand (SAHANZ), Australia, pp. 35-36, The 40th Annual SAHANZ Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 2/12/24. https://doi.org/10.55939/a5407pu4ha

No Distance at All: The Figure of Islands in Two Articles by Hubert Damisch. / Jasper, Michael.
Proceedings of the Society of Architectural Historians, Australia and New Zealand: 40, Islands. ed. / Ashley Paine; Kirsty Volz. Australia: Society of Architectural Historians of Australia and New Zealand (SAHANZ), 2025. p. 35-36.

Research output: A Conference proceeding or a Chapter in Book › Chapter › peer-review

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AB - This paper conjectures that analysis of the figure of islands and associated terms such as distance, gap, separation, and isolation in the writing of Hubert Damisch may allow us to begin to understand his definition of architecture as that aesthetic condition occupying the gap or seam between ‘form and formlessness’. To test this hypothesis, the paper undertakes a comparative analysis of two articles by Damisch. While other writings are referenced, the paper focuses on “Blotting Out Architecture? A Fable in Seven Parts,” and “Against the Slope: La Tourette”. Both published in the early 2000’s, the former engages the Blur Building, Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland (2002) by Diller + Scofidio, the latter focuses on Le Corbusier’s Dominican Monastery of La Tourette, Eveaux-sur-l’Arbresle, France (1953-1960). The paper asks: By what means and in what forms do the differences in approach and effect of the two buildings manifest themselves for Damisch?

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No Distance at All: The Figure of Islands in Two Articles by Hubert Damisch

Abstract

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UN SDGs

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