Posted 12/10/2011 01:11:00 PM by Douglas

This one's making the rounds, and I guess I can see why. Anyone that would think this building doesn't look like the World Trade Center on 9/11 clearly doesn't own a TV, nor has seen a newspaper, magazine, or website in the last decade.

The unveiling of pictures of planned luxury residential towers scheduled to be built in Seoul, South Korea, has sparked instant controversy. The reason is obvious. The towers, which include a so-called “cloud” feature connecting them around the 27th floors, clearly resemble the World Trade Towers in the process of collapsing following the 9/11 attacks.

Yeah, it really, really does. But so? The absolute last group of people that would venerate the senseless destruction of any building is architects. I think Althouse nails this manufactured (constructed?) controversy:

The point would need to be something more like: We defy the terrorists of the world. We stand for building skyscrapers in defiance of the nihilists.

Negative images can be adopted and re-purposed in a positive way. To cite an obvious example: the crucifixion of Christ. A crucifix is not displayed celebrate the torture and execution of Jesus. We invariably and easily understand it as a symbol of resurrection and eternal life.

So the building, if it indeed intentionally refers to the WTC, should be interpreted as a reaffirmation of the greatness of modern civilization.

I think she's on to something. . but it certainly not be the first piece of architecture that the public didn't "get."