Kenosis Creativity Architecture Appearance through Emptying

Kenosis Creativity Architecture locates and explores creativity’s grounding in the ancient concept of kenosis, the “emptying” that allows creativity to happen; that makes appearance possible. It concretises that grounding through architecture—a primal expression of human creativity—critically examining, for the first time, kenotic instantiations evidenced in four iconic, international projects; works by Kahn, Pei, Ando, and Libeskind. Then, in a final turn, the potentiality of architecture’s own emptying is probed. Architect and author Randall Lindstrom draws on Western and Eastern philosophy, including that of Heidegger, Levinas, Derrida, Vattimo, Nishida, and Nishitani, as well as on the theology of Christianity, Judaism, and aspects of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. Every chapter expands the argument that, if responsiveness to our world is taken seriously—if proper and sustainable responses are to be realised—then a deeper understanding of creativity, and so kenosis, is essential. This book opens-up a way of thinking about creativity and humanity’s readiness to be creative. It thereby presents a crucial enquiry—at the nexus of architecture, philosophy, and theology—for researchers, graduate and postgraduate students, and practitioners alike.

Foreword—Jeff Malpas Acknowledgements Part One—Foundations 1. Introduction: Awaiting Kenosis Thinking about Kenosis Thinking about Kenosis through Architecture Thinking about Architecture through Kenosis 2. Kenosis: A Synoptic View Locus Classicus Antecedents Medieval Thinking Modern Development and Revival Analogous Concepts Postmodern Radicalisation Part Two—Manifestations 3. Modernism and Order: Kahn at the Salk Institute Religiosity and Design Theories in Practice Creativity Ascribed A Deeper Provenance 4. Post-Modernism and Empathy: Pei at the Museum of Islamic Art Container and Contents Cultural Translation Situational Response Materialisation Dervish-ness as Kingly-ness 5. Neo-Modernism and Nothingness: Ando at the Church of the Light Criticising Perfection Potentiality Receptivity Creativity Valorising Imperfection 6. Critical-Modernism and Kindness: Libeskind at the Jewish Museum Berlin Illustrations versus Captions Uncanniness Hope Laughter Spectacularity and Exemplarity Part Three—Amplifications 7. Turning Away and Turning Back: The End of Architecture Barriers to Emptying Emptying to Create Grounded in Emptying End-ing 8. Conclusion: The Grace of Dis-grace Bibliography Index

Randall S. Lindstrom, PhD, in more than forty years of architectural practice, has served clients on four continents and received frequent recognition and awards. Since 2011, his primary focus has shifted to academic pursuits at the University of Tasmania, where he is Adjunct Lecturer in Architecture and Design.