Bold Ventures
Thirteen Tales of Architectural Tragedy
Charlotte Van den Broeck author David McKay translator
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Vintage Publishing
Published:5th May '22
Should be back in stock very soon
Charlotte Van den Broeck's Bold Ventures explores the tragic connections between architects and their creations, weaving history, philosophy, and personal reflection into a compelling narrative.
In Bold Ventures, Belgian poet Charlotte Van den Broeck embarks on an intriguing exploration of architecture and its often tragic relationship with its creators. Through thirteen meticulously crafted chapters, she delves into the lives of architects whose ambitious projects ended in their untimely deaths or rumored suicides. The narrative weaves through historical contexts, from a seventeenth-century church with a twisted spire to a theater that met its demise during a live performance in the 1920s. Each story is a testament to the fragility of human ambition against the backdrop of architectural beauty.
Van den Broeck draws upon a diverse array of influences, including philosophical giants like Hegel and Darwin, as well as her own life experiences and elements of popular culture. This rich tapestry allows her to examine the peculiar connection between a creator and their creation, prompting readers to ponder the existential threads that bind artistry to mortality. The author’s prose is both reflective and insightful, inviting contemplation on the darker aspects of creativity.
Throughout the book, the theme of suicide emerges as a profound inquiry, echoing Albert Camus's notion of it being the 'one truly serious philosophical problem.' Bold Ventures serves not only as a literary exploration but also as a source of solace and caution for those who dare to engage in creative endeavors. With its unique perspective, the book breaks new ground in literary non-fiction, offering a fresh lens on the intersection of art and human experience.
Beguiling . . . In our moment of "quiet quitting," resistance to corporate domination and a conviction that capitalism is in decay, Bold Ventures does arrive as a timely interrogation of what, exactly, constitutes success - of how to live -- Alexandra Jacobs * New York Times *
Everyone fails every day, but an architect's failure is inescapably visible, a public humiliation, even when it doesn't occasion loss of life . . . That the relationship between creator and creation can become so deleterious is a source of obsession for Charlotte Van den Broeck . . . Bold Ventures resembles a pop version of Iain Sinclair's psychogeography or Out of Sheer Rage, Geoff Dyer's anti-biography of DH Lawrence -- Olivia Laing * Guardian *
Bold Ventures is a unique survey of artistic creation, and is full of memorable scenes and insights -- Will Wiles * Literary Review *
What a sensible, intelligent and beautiful book -- Stefan Hertmans, author of War and Turpentine
A darkly comic meditation on the nature of creativity and the narrow margins between triumph and despair. Part memoir, part travelogue and part reflection, this unique and hugely engaging book takes a fresh look at the tragicomic condition of being human -- Carolyn Steel, author of Sitopia
A gorgeous and roving debut . . . Van den Broeck's exploration extends beyond the lives and works of her subjects, turning into both a philosophical meditation on creativity and a brilliant character study of misunderstood artists. The result is a genre-bending work that's sure to fascinate those interested in art and architecture, as well as anyone curious about the dangerous mechanisms of the creative mind * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *
While going on essayistic quests that take her around the globe, Van den Broeck traces stories of self-complacency, fear of failure and destiny. Indirectly, she researches the link between building and writing. Isn't every author bold by default, after all? In Bold Ventures she lives up to her ambition * De Morgen *
Van den Broeck has a very keen eye. But she also has a great mind, making transitions between philosophical contemplations and journalistic passages seem effortless * De Standaard *
ISBN: 9781784743987
Dimensions: 222mm x 144mm x 29mm
Weight: 422g
304 pages