Alexander Brodsky and Ilya Utkin were part of the Russian avant-garde of the 1980’s, forming the group BR:UT. Known for their numerous series of etchings produced between 1980 and 1990, they brought to light critical visions of everyday life of that era, experiences familiar to many, yet rarely expressed openly or boldly. Thus, the two architects explored themes from which we can still learn today, or recurring issues we continue to face in our daily lives.
This paper focuses on one such etching, namely Villa Nautilius, a spatial allegory that highlights the condition of a man angry at the society in which he was born, one who chooses to sabotage it through his everyday actions. More specifically, it depicts the home of a misanthrope who decides to settle in the middle of the largest and busiest boulevard of his metropolis. The very act of placing himself in the center of the city’s most active and densely populated highway becomes a deliberate act of rebellion. His role is to amplify the existing condition of that space, to draw attention precisely to those moments we often try to overlook. Agitation, bustle, and slowness become inevitable for anyone passing through, as a single spatial deviation from the norm triggers an avalanche of events that disrupt the city’s innate mobility.
Thus, although presented with a touch of humor, this scenario becomes a reality that people still face in large metropolises around the world, issues related to urban mobility that may manifest in less obvious ways. From a car parked in the first driving lane to a misplaced street sign or any small obstacle in a commuter’s path, such interruptions cause a chain reaction that contemporary cities are still unprepared to deal with.
Finally, this transversal reading of a cartoon-like drawing seeks to redirect attention to the idea of inhabiting the dysfunction, those moments within the city that cause disruption and whose effects stand in stark contrast to planned efficiency.
Bibliography
- Avvakumov, Y. (2019). Paper Architecture: An Anthology. Artguide.
- Koltz, H. (1988). Paper Architecture: New Projects from the Soviet Union. Rizzoli
- Nesbitt, L. (2003). Brodsky & Utkin: The Complete Works. Princeton Architectural Press.
