Architecture and Truth in Fin-de-Si}}cle Vienna [Hardcover]

In this 2004 book, Topp offers an interpretation of familiar buildings from turn of the twentieth-century Vienna.Leslie Topp investigates how truth in Viennese architecture at the turn of the 20th century could be interpreted in a variety of ways, including truth to purpose, symbolist or ideal truth, and ethical notions of authenticity. Drawing on newly uncovered archival materials, Topp offers a new interpretation of familiar buildings that are shown to encompass utopianism, hyper-rationality, and subjectivism. She also explores the connections between Viennese modern architecture and contemporary painting, psychiatry, fashion, labor issues, and anti-Semitic politics.Leslie Topp investigates how truth in Viennese architecture at the turn of the 20th century could be interpreted in a variety of ways, including truth to purpose, symbolist or ideal truth, and ethical notions of authenticity. Drawing on newly uncovered archival materials, Topp offers a new interpretation of familiar buildings that are shown to encompass utopianism, hyper-rationality, and subjectivism. She also explores the connections between Viennese modern architecture and contemporary painting, psychiatry, fashion, labor issues, and anti-Semitic politics.Leslie Topp investigates how truth in Viennese architecture at the turn of the twentieth century could be interpreted in a variety of ways, including truth to purpose, symbolist or ideal truth , and ethical notions of authenticity. Drawing on newly uncovered archival materials, Topp offers a new interpretation of familiar buildings, demonstrating how they encompass utopianism, hyper-rationality, and subjectivism. She also explores the relationship between Viennese modern architecture and contemporary painting, psychiatry, fashion, labor issues, and anti-Semitic politics.1. The Secession Building: multiple truths and modern art; 2. The Purkersdorf Sanatorium and the appearance of science; 3. The Postal Savings Bank: pragmatism and 'inner lÑ