The Elusive Modernist: Gabriel Guevrekian book launch

The Elusive Modernist is an archaeological inquiry into the life and works of one of the most prominent pioneers of modern movement, Gabriel Guevrekian (1900–1970). Not yet thirty, Guevrekian made his name in the circle of the European avant-garde initiating the first CIAM congress in La Sarraz, 1928. But other roles awaited him: soon he became a nomadic figure whose various pursuits, homes and nationalities he held in Asia, Europe, and the United States, led to a serial adoption of personae. The book revisits this history by reconstructing archival snapshots and micro-narratives. Portrayed through news clippings, photographs, audio recordings, drawings, models, letters, and postcards, here Gabriel Guevrekian is a key figure for rethinking the contemporary role of the architect as a writer, practitioner, educator, and public intellectual.

Hamed Khosravi is an architect, writer, and educator. He teaches at the Architectural Association School of Architecture (AA) and LSBU in London. His practice develops research-led curatorial projects, among them are: The Architecture of Fulfilment for the Venice Biennale (2014) and Revolution Begins at Home for Sharjah Architecture Triennial (2019), among others. Khosravi’s other books include Do You Remember How Perfect Everything Was? The Work of Zoe Zenghelis (2022), Nazgol Ansarinia: Inquiries into the Present (2021), Aesthetics and Politics of Logistics (2019), and Tehran- Life Within Walls (2017).

We are delighted to welcome Hamed Khosravi to the AA Bookshop to celebrate the launch of this great new publication. He will be joined by Marco Ugolini, graphic designer, and Prof. Pier Vittorio Aureli who will introduce and discuss the book.

Launch Price £40 (RRP £48)