Published in association with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture "What is the nature of architectural criticism today?" "Are critics necessary, and, if so, for whom?" These questions, posited by Robert Ivy, were at the core of the international seminar organised to coincide with the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture. As Joseph Rykwert says, criticism "in building is an essential part of the building process ... the only way to escape it is to avoid building". The critic, says Mohammad al-Asad "translates, decodes, and contextualises the often mystifying languages of architects through the medium of words", as, to continue with Rykwert, he "expands, interprets, and recommends the things he loves to his audience". And yet, Mashary al-Naim of Saudi Arabia's Albenaa points out that there is little criticism in the Arab world (succinctly summarised by Peter Davey too), while Budi Sukada from Indonesia says that at present "architectural criticism remains a taboo". Instead, Kamran Naderi of Memar maintains that its impact is now being positively felt in Iran, and Suneet Paul states that "architectural journalism is providing a fruitful connection between professionals, the people, and the construction industry" in India today. Trevor Boddy, from Canada, notes how "celebrity coverage of 'starchitects' has displaced criticism and commentary on buildings and cities in mainstream periodicals" and introduces the notion of the Internet's new electronic frontiers, a theme taken up by Aydan Balamir in Turkey, Dogan Hasol, and Hani Rashid, who defines blogspheres as "veritable tidal waves in architectural criticism". Many issues are explored in the attempt to find answers and solutions for reaching a wider audience. Bringing together more than thirty architects, critics and editors representing much cultural diversity and from a wide range of countries makes this stimulating collection of essays a unique publication. It is accompanied by a rich series of illustrations.
