Theory + Criticism

Alexandra Lange|Essays

Out of Love with Piano

After reading Reading Martin Filler’s review of Renzo Piano’s proposed addition to the Kimbell Museum in Fort Worth, I was struck again by how Piano’s critical reception seems to have curdled.

Alexandra Lange|Essays

Whatever Happened to Architecture Critique?

Sometimes it feels like everything is shrinking: the magazines, the word counts, the outlets, and especially the critics.

Alexandra Lange|Essays

“We Can’t Really Pay”

All of you print people who scorned bloggers but have moved into blogging and helm publications that “blog,” earth to you: You don’t pay.

Alexandra Lange|Essays

Pomo Time Machine

I’m writing more about Warren Platner, my favorite terribly wonderful or wonderfully terrible architect.

Alexandra Lange|Essays

My .02 on the Whitney

Everyone has taken their shot at outrage regarding the Whitney's move to a Renzo Piano building at the base of the High Line.

John Thackara|Essays

What Should Design Critics Write About?

Address to MFA students in the School of Visual Arts' Design Criticism program, April 30, 2010.

Alexandra Lange|Essays

The Anti-Enthusiasts

Design Blogs: The Vacuum of Enthusiasm, my Design Observer manifesto on what the world of design on the internet needs, lives on in the comments.

Alexandra Lange|Essays

Jane Jacobs Is Still Watching

Despite my dislike of Jane Jacobs's beef with architects and planners, so many points seem strangely prescient.

Alexandra Lange|Essays

On Archpaper: Saccharine Design

My review of Marcel Wanders’ exhibition Daydreams at the Philadelphia Museum of Art for The Architect’s Newspaper just went online and let’s just say I was not impressed.

Alexandra Lange|Essays

Straw Men Redux

I can't help but compare and contrast Nicolai Ourossoff's opening sentences of his recent work.

Alexandra Lange|Essays

What I Learned @dcritconference

The D-Crit Conference is just a memory, so as a tribute to the afternoon presentations I saw, I offer a set of tangents.

Alexandra Lange|Essays

Confessions and Criticism

I am not a fan of TMI, the confessional mode, or the sense one gets that the best way to make it as a woman in the media business is to write about yourself.