Joseph Masheck

This collection of somewhat overlapping essays about the Austrian architect Adolf Loos by Joseph Masheck uses the subject like a hand puppet to express the author's own ideas. It is highly questionable whether Loos had read the obscure English language sources the author likes to associate Loos' idea with. The actual association happened more likely in the author's mind and then traced it to Loos to give it more street cred.

Unfortunately, the author's familiarity with and understanding of Austrian history is quite limited. Thus, he does not explain to the reader that Loos' obsession with providing houses with vegetable gardens was caused by Austria experiencing hunger during the First World War and during its aftermath. He also neglects to situate Loos as one of the last builders for the rich in opposition to mass culture and mass production. Loos championed the aristocratic ideas of simplicity in opposition to crude ornaments of the masses. Loos the dandy remained a man of the 19th century who hinted at some elements of the 20th century by reconfiguring conservative ideas. While discussing Loos' architectural ideas about "crime", it would not have been too much to mention Loos' actual vile crimes.… (mais)