Extremes...

This one might be boring. (Don't give me wisecracks, i know you are funny... you know who you are)

Two experiences in the last 2 days have left me with contrasting feelings. One is obviously great joy and satisfaction after what was one hell of a Make/Shift Mumbai exhibition. i really didn't care how many architects came, but what was really nice was more than half the visitors were (to use quite a derogatory word) lay-people. To see ordinary everyday Mumbaikars interested and concerned about the fate of their city and really trying to understand the efforts that have gone behind a lot of the work regarding the city fills me with hope: small sparks can make a difference.

On the other hand was a discussion on Orkut involving many of my classmates which was extremely disappointing, to put it mildly. More than 200 comments were posted whether Hafeez Contractor is a 'good' or 'bad' architect. In the 5th year of an architectural education, a lot of people wonder if we have any right to criticise anyone's work since 'we haven't built anything ourselves'. Another thing: Why does 'criticism' always involve only negative things? And the other seemingly consistent thread was 'if laypeople like Hafeez's elevations then what is wrong with everyone else doing the same thing?' Which means after 5 years of B.Arch and spending close to 3 lakh rupees of our parents money, we still feel our specialised education puts us on par with someone who has had no exposure to aesthetics or architecture. (i don't mean to sound elitist or egoistic but just putting down the facts) One could say only 4-5 people had such opinions and although AS gave a real fight against some of this stupidity, i don't think any opinions have changed.

At the same time, i think a lot of this intellectual garbage is spouted owing to the fact that the only role models amongst architects seem to be dead ones, dying ones, western-appreciated ones or rich ones. Architectural magazines don't even dare to criticize a building for fear of losing that architect's favour, as a result no one seems to appreciate truly decent work and a mere description of work, whether decent or not, suffices as architectural debate. And the fact that whether Hafeez is good or bad involved references to no building or architect other than Hafeez himself is deplorable.

Remedying this situation would take some gargantous effort but again owing to the first experience i feel a small effort can make some difference.

i propose starting a blog where everyone can send mails (something like a PostSecret) regarding any building they see in this city, whether good or bad not relevant. The mailer has to 'criticise' the building, and i mean understand the building not just point out its flaws. Maybe something like a Pros and Cons of that building. Honestly. And i will do my part and post all the mails i get, without bias. AND I MEAN ALL.

If i get 15 people or more to respond with an 'aye', i start the blog. Otherwise, you guys still have to face the ranting and raving with no result at the end of it.