Dearq

Dearq | eISSN 2215-969X

On memory and architecture: constructing the past

No. 18 (2016-01-01)
  • Isaak Camilo
    1 Camilo Isaak cisaak@uniandes.edu.co Arquitecto e Historiador de la Universidad de los Andes, Colombia. Master Architectural History & Theory, McGill University, Canada. Profesor Asistente del Departamento de Arquitectura de la Universidad de los Andes, director y miembro del grupo de investigación Historia, Teoría y Crítica de la Arquitectura.

Abstract

A fundamental dimension of architecture is memory, which prepares the stage to connect the past with the present and the future. It is an inherent part of it because without knowing where we have been we have no idea where we are going, and we therefore have no direction. There is, however, a possibility that architecture is able to tell the story of people. This article contemplates architecture as a useful tool to create emotional links between space and places in order to preserve and recall particular memories that are connected with times-gone-by, as well as reminders and transformations that make reference to our current lives. Architecture is able to construct and remind us of the past.

Keywords: architecture, memory, story-telling, museum, conflict

References

Aristóteles, Acerca del Alma. Madrid: Gredos, 2010

Aristóteles. Del sentido y lo sensible & Sobre la memoria y la reminiscencia. Madrid: Aguilar, 1962

Cartledge, Paul. Termópilas: la batalla que cambió el mundo. Barcelona: Ariel, 2007.

Heller, Aron. “Holocaust Experts Work to Preserve WWII-Era Items”. New York Times, 14 de septiembre de 2014, http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2014/09/14/world/middleeast/ap-ml-israel-holocaust-conservation.html

Heródoto. Historia, 5 vols. Gredos: Madrid, 2000.

Pallasmaa, Juhani. Los ojos de la piel. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili, 2006.

Sontag, Susan. Ante el dolor de los demás. Madrid: Alfaguara, 2003.

Yates, Frances. El arte de la memoria. Madrid: Siruela, 2005.