Ep. 58: The Brutalist

Brutalism was an architectural style that was popular from the 1950s to early 1980s that consisted of raw concrete surfaces, monochrome colors, minimal ornamentation, and exposed structural elements. It is the architectural style that is referenced in the title of The Brutalist, a film directed by Brady Corbet that has been nominated for numerous accolades this year. On this week's episode of Silent Generation they boys share their thoughts on The Brutalist before discussing Brutalism as an architectural style. Amongst other things they discuss how the the life of local Chicago architect and Holocaust survivor John Macsai differed from that of Laszlo Toth’s, how Notre Dame’s Brutalist library features a large mural religious mural that is colloquially known as “Touchdown Jesus,” and how UIC’s Brutalist campus was not in fact designed to quell student protests.

 

Links:  Brutalism Pinterest board: https://pin.it/5WbTWzVSo The Brutalist ending explained: Director Brady Corbet reflects on building that transformative epilogue by Wesley Stenzel Interview with 'The Brutalist' Filmmakers Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold by Susan Kouguell The Trauma of Inevitability: Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold on “The Brutalist” by Isaac Feldberg Oral history of John Macsai interviewed by Betty J. Blum. Stroger Switch + Purple Rain Redux (Ep. 90 of 99% Invisible) Were Brutalist Buildings on College Campuses Really Designed to Thwart Student Riots? by J Bryan Lowder Boston City Hall is officially a landmark by Roberto Scalese Ugly Buildings Tour

 

Recorded on 1/26/2024