Windows

摘要

Long before it became a subject of controversy among modern architects, the symbolism of windows was a favourite subject for poets like Baudelaire, Mallarme, and later Appolinaire, who had all chosen 'Fenetres' as the title for one of their poems. In these poems, Baudelaire and Mallarme tend to stress verticality, framing, interiority as conditions of a genuine poetic experience; whereas Appolinaire, through the concept of simultaneity, leans toward the themes of freedom, simultaneity, openness, panorama and exteriority. The nature of these poetic differences calls to mind Perret's apology of the strip window, symbol of exclusion, verticality and contemplation, and Le Corbusier's defence of the bay window as a sign of participation, horizontality and directness.