'The Modernist Image': lecture by Mark Cousins, 12th May, 2000

Extent: 1 audio cassette (90min), 4 digital files (757.7 MB)

Comprises audio recording of a lecture entitled 'The Modernist Image', given by Mark Cousins on the 12th May, 2000. The recordings consist of a Maxwell 90 audio cassette tape, 2 digital preservation files (618 MB, .wav format) and 2 digital access files (139.7 MB, .mp3 format). Duration of access version: 50min 48sec

Copyright: Architectural Association

Creator: Mark Cousins

Admin History: The recording is of the 11th lecture in the series entitled 'Imago', given by Mark Cousins as part of the AA General Studies programme, 1999-2000. In this lecture Mark Cousins begins by considering the idea of the spectator and spectatorship. He then continues the discussion of 'the image' within modernity, via the ideas of Immanuel Kant and the arguments of Clement Greenberg. Cousins then poses the question 'what would one mean by 'art' if defining it independently of aesthetics?' He investigates whether this issue is related to the exhibition of objects and whether it is also part of a desire to get closer and closer to the most abstract investigation of the medium. From a Freudian perspective, Cousins argues, perhaps it can be understood through the idea of 'the lost object', the wish to see the object behind the object.

Custodial History: Audio cassette recording was made by the AA Audio Visual Department and retained by the AA Photo Library until 2019, when it was transferred to the AA Archives.

Aquisition: Audio cassette was transferred from the AA Photo Library to the AA Archives in 2019. Digital preservation and access copies were created by the AA Archives in 2021.

Archive Note: Catalogue description by Ke Bo Tsai

Publication Note: AA Events List, Week 2, Summer Term, 8th - 12th May, 2000.