The critique of capitalist city, avant-gardism and situationist international as an alternative

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Mimarlık Fakültesi, Mimarlık Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2014

Öğrenci: ÖMER BURAK POLAT

Danışman: GÜVEN ARİF SARGIN

Özet:

This progressive writing begins with the fundamental reasons why capitalist city fails, its ideological attributions and effects on the urban space. It is based itself on the concept of utopia as the horizon line that forces cities to progress. It goes on with relatively more recent examples, avant-garde art and its internal contradictions stated by Manfredo Tafuri, considering avant-garde art destined to recreate a more advanced ruling class. Then, a different type of avant-garde led by French revolutionist Guy Debord: The Situationist International is picked out to revisit their radical theories and practices. In its progress, this thesis claims that the Situationist International would transcend Tafuri’s critique and their concepts can still construct a solid alternative to current way of living in city. It is concluded by New Babylon which is developed and based on the SI’s critical tools by Dutch painter Constant Nieuwenhuys. New Babylon’s position is argued in comparison with the other faction of the SI that supported more abstract methods for revolutionary urban movements.