The Virtual Dimension: Architecture, Representation, and Crash Culture

Rating:
Summary: A Virtual Necessity
Review: It is hard to find books on architecture and information technology which do not read like a manifesto. Indeed the strength of John Beckmann's "The Virtual Dimension" can be found in its inclusive and at times playfully eclectic scope. Rarely do editors working in this genre assemble into one volume such a conflicting cast of theorists, writers, artists and architects. Featured in a collection of 26 essays are authors as diverse as Paul Virilio, Stahl Stenslie, Mark C. Taylor, Stan Allen, Gareth Branwyn, Stelarc, Bernard Cache and many more. Aside from the sometimes bizarre prophesies of writers like Hans Moravec the essays in this book generally form a balanced survey of the many important issues facing our digital age. For anyone interested in computers, architecture theory, electronic art or the problematic relationship between cyberspace and the physical world Mr. Beckmann's profusely illustrated book is a virtual necessity. > >