Superstudio

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An Interpretation of Superstudio

Jack Gell

Abstract This essay is an interpretation of Superstudio’s work in chronological order. After explaining their beginnings, I make comparisons between their striking radical ethos and that of modernism and postmodernism, acknowledging their rebellious attitude towards society. After situating Superstudio in their 60’s context, I then move onto their first great work The Continuous Monument. This was published​ ​ along with a storyboard describing in detail their abstract ethos and revealing much of their inspiration. It is this piece that I will focus on in order to explain their radical interpretation of humanity that categorises their work. I also discuss Superstudio’s desire for architecture to become an extensive ‘single plan’ that houses and provides for all; relating this to God (the intelligent designer), and how humanity without this God is not on path to fulfill Superstudio’s vision. I then ask how we might solve this issue by the means of their previously demonstrated intelligent designer, and discuss the Internet as a solution to create the ‘single plan’. Their next great work, the Twelve Ideal Cities, reveals alternative worlds to bring forth an awareness of our hopeless evolutionary path. I then delve deeper into Superstudios desire for monuments, and our current lack of faith, which leads me to their final work, The Fundamental Acts, their purest of evolutionary strategies, which I describe and then interpret as an embodiment of the Internet. I conclude by suggesting that Superstudio’s underlying message is that of humanity united, allowing us to tap into primitive instincts and rediscover what it means to be human.

A. Margis, C. Toraldo di Francia, P. Frassinelli, R. Magris, A. Natalini


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