Week 9 - Ayn Rand 'The Fountainhead'

After struggling through all the text watching a film was a refreshing change. It was a lot easier for me to follow and I surprisingly enjoyed the film. Being so used to current film styles it was a reminder of the iconic black and white film era. Where everything was dramatic and exaggerated. Dominique was spirited and entertaining with her expressions and Roark with his stubborn commitment to his vision. 

The idea of being expelled or cast aside for being different or original is almost unheard of today in architecture so it was an interesting idea that this were the case in society of the past. Roark was a strong character, possibly a bit stupid, who would rather work as a labourer than build what he didn't want to build. His lack of interest in what his clients what was quite possibly a bit to far. Yes be original but surely be sensible about it. Whats the point  in building something that nobody wants? An architect should be free to design and build but surely a client and society should be free to ave buildings that they want?

The smear campaign was all rather petty and childish but I can imagine this being a common event of the past. Don't we now have 'Starchitects' such as Hadid. Maybe not to such an extreme as what was shown in 'The Fountainhead' but if a newspaper or magazine started feeding negative comments to society about Hadid would she loose some of her star quality? Is she only a star because the media tells us she is a star? Even Roarks good friend, Wynand and love, Dominique got involved in his smear campaign but he still sticks to his vision. Toohey is an annoying, know it all who skates around the outside of everything wanting to take centre stage but never quite getting there.

Dominique says like Roark she doesn't care for other peoples opinions and she is quick to throw herself into relationships and marriage. She is almost sold from one person to another and she still remains detached. Everything is kind of done behind somebody else back. Dominique and Roark meet in secret, the housing project is altered whilst Roark is away, Roark rather than discuss opening the change in plans simply blows the building up! Would you prefer to see a piece of your work altered pleasing society but not be pleasing to you or would you simply blow it up? It was quite a strong statement and Roarks sums it u “I don’t care what they think of architecture – or anything else!”. 

Would an architect who thought like that today be praised for their individuality and commitment to themselves or would they, like Roark, end up in ruin? Isn't Roarks ideal that a building should be built to its environment, that the material, purpose, sculpture should fit within in the environment how architects think today?

It all ends in a happily ever after ending but after the drama of the film and Roark's and Dominiques characters where Dominique was a bit too childish really in her behaviour and Roark like a stubborn child I felt the ending could of held a bit more punch than a happily ever after. I could relate to Roark though and although I think we need a lot of Keatings int he world we also need the Roarks to keep things interesting....