As a postmodernist city
Art accompanies the humanity over a long period of time. It has already become an integral part of our lives. The man has invented many kinds of art: painting, music, theater, etc.; and architecture takes pride of place among this diversity of arts too. Architecture has always been the subject of grandeur and pride of kings, dynasties and whole empires. Such magnificent architectural masterpieces as Egyptian pyramids, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Cologne Cathedral are immortal classic that fascinates even the most indifferent to the art person. Throughout the history of mankind, were appearing a lot of new architectural styles: sacred architecture, Romanesque architecture, Gothic architecture, etc. In the 20th century have arisen the modernist architecture and then so-called postmodernism.
One of the main features of the postmodernist architecture is a combination of different aesthetic forms. The postmodern architecture is usually guided by the principle of “anything goes”; and this amazing variety of expressions and meanings defines the essence of the postmodernism. Also one more significant aspect of the postmodern architecture is that it connects the artistic nature of art with functional benefits. ("Defining Postmodern Architecture and Its Characteristics")
However, despite all this abundance of the architectural forms of modernity, it’s worth noting that the architecture has already lost its sacred significance. In ancient times, people built temples, and believed that there they will be able to communicate with the gods. For example, during the period of Classical antiquity only priests were allowed to enter the temples; and all the others people were able only to admire the grandeur and beauty of the architectural forms.
However, times change and at the present stage of development of society, the architecture and aesthetic problems faded into the background. ("A HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE - POSTMODERNISM") Culture has become mass and art; or rather the mission of art has also changed. Nowadays people don’t want to admire – they want to be entertained! Is it good or bad - everyone decides for himself. However, the obvious is the fact that mankind have ceased to create art because now people only recreate different art forms.
In the contemporary world everything is beginning to be a subject of experimentation. The most daring variations of the classic art forms, including architectural, are typical features of our time; and Las Vegas is a prime example of the modern popular culture and postmodernist architecture. This city includes everything that is possible and even impossible to contain in the same city: all vices of the modern humankind and a huge variety of entertainments!
However, apart from this entire splendor, Las Vegas is also known for the great diversity of architectural styles. Moreover, Ronald Smith and Valerie Bugni assumed that anything that can be imagined can also be architecturally designed in Las Vegas: beginning from the pyramids of ancient Egypt, the Caesars of ancient Rome and ending with the architecture of Paris and New York Skyline (Smith and Bugni 1).
Such a famous postmodernist city-legend as Las Vegas has its own unique atmosphere, which is incredibly full of seething emotions, entertainments, risk and freedom (if you have money, of course). During the time of dashing youth of the city, major entertainments were located in the downtown of Las Vegas (Fremont Street). However, in the mid-1990s Las Vegas Boulevard, also known as the Strip, began to develop rapidly; and after the Strip began to function, it has turned into a major artery, which keeps the heart of Las Vegas beating in a mad rhythm until now.
It should be noted that most of the attractions of Las Vegas, namely casinos, night clubs and hotels are located on the Strip, which is illuminated by more than 15,000 miles of colorful neon tubing. ("Nevada Commission on Tourism") Las Vegas Strip demonstrates that Las Vegas is a real postmodernist city because of its wide use of various types of famous landmarks; or rather duplication of these celebrated landmarks. ("SIS GROUP.") However, despite the fact that our attention is focused on the Las Vegas Strip, it's worth noting that outside of the Strip, there are several interesting buildings too. ("Las Vegas: Architecture.")
According to Steven Best and Douglas Kellner, the postmodernism consists of some features of previous aesthetic traditions, however, it’s aimed at the entertainment industry at the same time (Best and Kellner 5). In connection with this it’s worth noting that Las Vegas is the American capital of gambling games. Moreover, this city is the American second largest destination for tourists. ("Las Vegas: Postmodern City of Casinos and Simulation.") Consequently, the postmodernism can be even a tool for commercialization too.
According to Ronald Smith and Valerie Bugni, the architectural design of the sights of Las Vegas is aimed at the enticement of visitors into a casino or other entertaining place, where they can find a maze of machines and table games (Smith and Bugni 3). Designers and architects of Las Vegas Strip have showed an extraordinary resourcefulness, providing visitors with a wide range of entertainment venues.
Las Vegas Strip is full of the most various architectural forms and styles. This city is an amazing phenomenon in the contemporary culture; and this phenomenon is inseparably connected with the processes of commercialization and globalization. Whereas in the past, in the majority of cases, the representatives of humankind were building magnificent palaces for kings, today the modern architectural splendor has become accessible to the wide audience of ordinary tourists (of course, if they have money for holidays in Las Vegas).
The crowds of tourists that go to Las Vegas can enjoy the Egypt pyramids, and a little France, for example. Luxor Las Vegas is a striking example of the postmodernism in Las Vegas. The building of the hotel, where also located a casino, is made of dark glass in the form of a pyramid. Entrance to this magnificent building is guarded by a huge sphinx. Luxor consists of 4406 comfortable guest rooms, a fitness center, swimming pool, movie theater and restaurants. The hotel rooms are located on each side of the pyramid.
Also during the twilight, from the top of the pyramid appears a powerful beam of light, which fascinates visitors of the hotel. Moreover, when a visitor enters this building, he immediately finds himself in the atrium, which was a common feature in the Ancient Roman dwellings. So, the mixture of architectural styles is obvious. Moreover, the hotel is named after the city of Luxor, which situated in Egypt.
Another famous point of interest in the Strip is Paris Las Vegas, which was conceived as a corner of France directly in the middle of Las Vegas. Its decorations are replicas of the famous Paris sights, including the Eiffel Tower. Interior of the hotel is entirely consistent with its thematic orientation: rooms are equipped with luxurious antique furniture, and on the walls placed the paintings depicting the Parisian sights. So, the visitor with a well-developed imagination can find himself in real Paris (at least for an evening).
In general, “French chic” of the hotel is based on the abundance of French titles and attempts to create a special atmosphere, which, according to the designers of the hotel, is inherent in real Paris. However, it turns out, as in most cases in Las Vegas, - rooms in pastel shades, a lot of gold and gloss. This entire splendor seems luxurious and people sincerely admire the abundance of forms and styles of Las Vegas.
It’s also worth noting that we should never compare the original with a copy. Despite all the grandeur and diversity of Las Vegas, this city is rather a certain parody of that architectural art, which was creating over the centuries. However, it refers not only to Las Vegas Strip. We can assume that contemporary art, in the majority of cases, is a mockery of the genuine art of past centuries. For example, if the ancient Greek saw the modern Las Vegas Strip, most likely he would lost his mind, after seeing all the disproportion of forms and styles (even unknown to him), but that's quite another story
However, Las Vegas is not limited to the Pyramids and the Eiffel Tower. On the Strip is also situated the Caesars Palace - one of the most famous casinos in Las Vegas - which was finally opened in 1966. ("History of Caesars Palace Casino in Las Vegas (1962-1967).") Before the entrance of the palace located the Triumphal Arch; and the Palace itself is constructed in the ancient Roman style.
Most likely architects were inspired by the Roman decadence because on the territory of the Caesars Palace visitors can see cypress trees, fountains, Roman colonnades, columns, chariots, marble statues, etc. Also near the hotel located the most prestigious concert venue of Las Vegas – The Colosseum. It can be clearly seen that designers of the Colosseum at Caesars Palace were inspired by Roman aesthetics and modern overtones. ("Colosseum at Caesars Palace")
Therefore we can see a total imitation of the Roman Empire, or rather its architectural style. After all, the needs of the modern person are not much different from the needs of the ancient Roman: people hopes for “Bread and circuses” (from Latin: panem et circenses). However, today the spectacles are more humane and more diverse, and instead of bread, the representative of contemporary consumer society demands a sumptuous feast.
Humankind currently has the technological capabilities to construct the most complicated and highest buildings; however, despite the beauty and interesting ideas of the architects, these buildings remain a mixture of architectural styles of the past.
In conclusion it can be said that Las Vegas is a legendary postmodernist city. Las Vegas Strip is the heart of this city because there are located all of the most famous hotels and casinos. Fantasy of the architects, who have created the Strip, is boundless because in Las Vegas a copy of the Eiffel Tower, a huge pyramid made of black glass, sphinx and other interesting sights - exist together. Moreover, every hotel located on the Strip has its own peculiarity. For example, the Caesars Palace was built in ancient Roman style. All of these various sights of Las Vegas Strip fascinate crowds of visitors and those, who just hoped to visit Las Vegas.
However, Las Vegas, which is the subject of adoration of the huge number of modern humans, is also a grandiose mixture of borrowed architectural styles and forms. The Las Vegas Strip connects different aesthetic forms, but it doesn’t create new architectural styles, but only recreates them. The Strip takes classic forms and makes them more expressive and colorful, adapted for modern times.
As we known, the art, including architecture, forms in a specific era and society, and therefore represents this era and society, with all its vices and positive traits. That's why Las Vegas is the most famous postmodernist city. This city, to a large extent, represents the modern era with all its diversity, dynamism and lust for entertainment. Las Vegas provides the people with what they want, namely bread and circuses!
Works cited:
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"Las Vegas: Postmodern City of Casinos and Simulation." Las Vegas: Postmodern City of Casinos and Simulation. Web. 06 May 2016. <http://www.transparencynow.com/vegas.htm>.
"Nevada Commission on Tourism." Nevada Commission on Tourism. Web. 06 May 2016. <https://web.archive.org/web/20060612004631/http://travelnevada.com/press_detail.asp?PressID=24>.
"SIS GROUP." : Las Vegas's Main Strip. Web. 06 May 2016. <http://sisforfran.blogspot.com/2009/05/this-panorama-is-of-las-vegass-main.html>.
Best, Steven, and Douglas Kellner. The Postmodern Turn. Chapter Four: Postmodernism in the Arts: Pastiche, Implosion, and the Popular. New York: Guilford, 1997. Web. 06 May 2016.
Smith, Ronald, and Valerie Bugni. "Architectural Sociology and Post-modern Architectural Forms." American Institute of Architects Connections Newsletter, Aug. 2002. Web. 6 May 2016. <http://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=sociology_pubs>.
