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The renowned architect introduces his iconoclastic approach to public space and shares his vision for the most important architectural project of our time, the 1776 Freedom Tower at the World Trade Center site.
Drawing on his uncommon background and global perspective, in Breaking Ground Daniel Libeskind explores ideas about tragedy and hope, and the way in which architecture can memorialize-and reshape-human experience.
Born in 1946 to Holocaust survivors in Poland, Daniel Libeskind eventually emigrated to New York City in 1959. A virtuoso musician before studying architecture, Libeskind has designed iconic buildings around the world, including the Jewish Museum Berlin and the Imperial War Museum in Manchester, England. In February 2003, Libeskind was chosen as the Master Plan Architect for the World Trade Center reconstruction.
Full of the vitality, humor, and visionary spark that helped win him the Trade Center Commission, Breaking Ground invites readers to see architecture-and the larger world-through new perspectives.
| 1 | Foundations | 3 |
| 2 | A sense of place | 19 |
| 3 | Light | 53 |
| 4 | Building | 77 |
| 5 | Faces | 105 |
| 6 | Herzblut | 133 |
| 7 | The proposal | 155 |
| 8 | The invisible | 191 |
| 9 | Materials | 215 |
| 10 | Forced marriage | 243 |
| 11 | Faith | 269 |
Anonymous
Posted July 2, 2008
Two chapters into Daniel Libeskind's incredibly tedious littany of self-praise, I started to wonder when the excitement about design would start. A few hundred pages of more self-love and indulgent ranting about other architects and I realized it just isn't there. Daniel Libeskind seems so excited about himself that he can barely write a sentence without use of the singular pronoun 'I'. 'As in 'I am a genius ...'' The book explains nothing about design. Libeskind is too busy trying to convince readers that - in his mind at least - he's the greatest person that EVER lived. ...... So how come he manages to be such a complete bore? And how come he doesn't ever mention anyone as a friend?
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 28, 2007
Author Libeskind, better known for his pompous behaviour and vulgar architecture, tries here to justify his existence by positioning himself as a misunderstood, suffering artist / victim. We've heard it all before, but in other cases, some genius was actually involved. Here, half-baked theories are invented after the fact to justify some of the worst architectural ideas ever to be drawn on paper. Luckily, few get built. In summary, a tedious bore's story told by himself in the dullest of droning writing imaginable.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 25, 2007
My reactions while reading this book ranged from cringing disbelief to outright laughter at the author¿s juvenile naivete. With a lack of modesty not seen since minor Renaissance painter Giorgo Vasari wrote himself into history by including himself in his own book, `Lives of the Artists¿, Daniel Libeskind promotes himself here as an architectural genius. Libeskind¿s mechanism for setting himself apart is to denigrate most other architects, a tactic which reflects poorly on the author¿s character and his level of maturity. 'But Libeskind¿s book omits any mention of why he had to hire one of these lesser architects to design his own home in New York!!' The badly edited narrative is amateurishly tied together with a thread of what Libeskind perceives as persecution of Jews in general and of his own ancestors in particular. With this pre-ordained mindset, it is no surprise that he sees himself as some sort of misunderstood victim. He is repeatedly surprised, even shocked, that anyone might not want to build one of his designs. As for design itself, his few built structures usually comprise some origami-shaped form that stands out more by contrast to its surroundings than by sophistication of intent. 'Think of an unwashed, unshaven slob in a sweaty jogging outfit at a cocktail fundraiser and you¿ll get what I mean. Difference, just for the sake if it, is not an indication of `genius¿ or of any sophistication.' The pouting whinge-fest culminates in a one-sided story of Libeskind¿s ouster from the World Trade Center project which story, not surprisingly, is viewed through glasses that have been very heavily tinted by the sourest of sour grapes. Although the book is childish beyond belief, it is so outlandishly bat that it is amusing, albeit in a weird sort of way . All that is missing are some cartoon-like illustrations.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 20, 2007
Libeskind's book is a verbalization of the thoughts and emotions that influence his work- nothing more or less. I have to quote a review that 'this book is refreshingly free of the invented language, jargon and outright arrogance found in most architect's writings. Sure, Libeskind is plenty arrogant, but to arrive at the top of such an uncompromisingly agressive, arrogant and protective group of superstar architects requires a certain type of self promotion and a damn-the-torpedos attitude.' It is a rare opportunity to look inside the life of a globally accomplished architect and not have to wade through complicated theories and made-up language- all in an effort to learn from the 'Masters'.
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Overview
The renowned architect introduces his iconoclastic approach to public space and shares his vision for the most important architectural project of our time, the 1776 Freedom Tower at the World Trade Center site.
Drawing on his uncommon background and global perspective, in Breaking Ground Daniel Libeskind explores ideas about tragedy and hope, and the way in which architecture can memorialize-and reshape-human experience.
Born in 1946 to Holocaust survivors in Poland, Daniel Libeskind eventually emigrated to New York City in 1959. A virtuoso musician before studying architecture, Libeskind has designed iconic buildings ...