AMO on Asia

10 Sep 2005 Category: Architecture, Events & Exhibitions, Japan, Worldwide

Rem Koolhaas gave a lecture, “AMO on Asia” at TN Probe Salon.

Rem founded the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) in 1975. He later founded a think-tank of OMA, AMO for researching on urban planning and architectural planning.

I bought WIRED magazine when I was in NY. WIRED was featuring various Information Design works. His works (especially this cool one that showed corporate logos with proportions relating to the size of the corporation, all stuck on a world map) really stuck in my mind. That’s how I really into AMO and Rem.

Since then, I’ve tried not to miss anything to do with AMO and Rem Koolhaas and this was a great chance to hear him live! (Recently, the books that feature him always show lots of visuals, so even if you are not into architecture, I think you can find it interesting.)

Today’s lecture was titled, “AMO on Asia.” In the first half he talked about AMO, and the next half was on Asia. Regarding Asia, he introduced his research on CCTV building. Then he talked about topics like the shop design for PRADA, editing works for WIRED, improvement of State Hermitage Museum,　working for Chinsed Broadcasting company, CCTV, and about his research on strategy for EU identity.

About AMO, Rem said, he founded AMO because, “it is sometimes very hard to work in compliance with the initiative of private company. I would like to control what I do. And I don’t want to have to limit myself to do whatever I want.”

About the value of AMO, he said;

  • The wide market-economy swing will trigger instability in the future. Therefore, AMO intends to become a organization to find an answer for the future.
  • AMO intends to find not only merits of the architecture, but also the demerits, and investigate the problem in depth.

There are about 25 full-time staff in AMO. However, the organization has a very flexible structure that experts in various areas such as economists and curators will be involved with, depending on the project they are working on.

AMO is trying to increase their influence - they are going to publish a magazine called “VOLUME”　in collaboration with　C-Lab (Columbia University).

After listening to his presentation, I was impressed by his work and his perception of the world. But what stuck in my mind the best was his attitude of valuing “what I want to do”.

(The last image on the left hand side is a conceptual drawing of what he called “bigness. )

I think it’s great that Obayashi-gumi hosts such wonderful cultural programmes as TN Probe. I’m looking forward to seeing another great lecture!

Written by KNYM
Translated by Kyoko

AMO,OMA logo? I arrived right before the lecture started. The room was packed. I needed to stand at the back. Sorry about the camera shake.
AMO,OMA logo? I arrived right before the lecture started. The room was packed. I needed to stand at the back. Sorry about the camera shake.
wide range of audience
wide range of audience

numbers of thumnails from his portfolio. Rem had been trying to arrange these thumnail images until right before the show, I mean only for this lecture. He is very thorough.
numbers of thumnails from his portfolio. Rem had been trying to arrange these thumnail images until right before the show, I mean only for this lecture. He is very thorough.
Rem Koolhaas
Rem Koolhaas

the diagram shows relationship between OMA and AMO
the diagram shows relationship between OMA and AMO
he was showing various graphical interface designs
he was showing various graphical interface designs

His collage works were impressive. (Sorry this is not collage work. I couldn't take picture.)
His collage works were impressive. (Sorry this is not collage work. I couldn't take picture.)
You might not understand the details at a glance but when he explains it to us, I was amazed by the deap meaning behind it.
You might not understand the details at a glance but when he explains it to us, I was amazed by the deap meaning behind it.

a big black board was displayed at entrance. This is showing Rem's concept of
a big black board was displayed at entrance. This is showing Rem's concept of "bigness." The red graphic on right hand side is size of human (to show how big the black board is)

22 Comments

  1. will their project (AMO and OMA) join? or they still stands alone only in one owning of rem koolhaas? :)

    Posted by: enrica on August 8th, 2008 at 1:10 pm

  2. Excellent. As an aspiring illustrator this article was really inspirational. Thank you Ping Mag. I love your site. :)

    Posted by: bursa evden eve nakliyat on March 31st, 2009 at 3:29 pm

  3. For the anime illeterate this means his first design is taken from nausicaa

    Posted by: konteyner on December 24th, 2010 at 7:24 am

  4. Having the big honor to be so close to a Japanese traditional dancer, I took the chance to go backstage for PingMag and take a few pictures

    Posted by: perdeci on December 24th, 2010 at 2:41 pm

  5. maurers

    Posted by: maurers on February 22nd, 2011 at 12:24 am

  6. Your post really grabbed my attention and interest for the reason that the content is not just informative but also simple yet meaningful. Cure ear infection

    Posted by: White spots on skin on July 10th, 2011 at 11:47 am

  7. herkes buraya

    Posted by: goruntulu sohbet on July 23rd, 2011 at 10:08 pm

  8. Having the big honor to be so close to a Japanese traditional dancer, I took the chance to go backstage for PingMag and take a few pictures

    Posted by: porn on September 3rd, 2011 at 8:44 pm

  9. Good Aritcles

    Posted by: All Failure on October 22nd, 2011 at 1:06 am

  10. I really would like to learn more information about your business, what is it and why is it important.

    Posted by: christian louboutin on November 10th, 2011 at 1:29 pm

  11. It good article. Black Friday Thermal Arc Welder

    Posted by: Black Friday Thermal Arc Welder on November 13th, 2011 at 10:47 am

  12. Nice for me Black Friday Thermal Arc Tig Welder

    Posted by: Black Friday Thermal Arc Tig Welder on November 13th, 2011 at 10:47 am

  13. Great for me Black Friday Wireless Home Theater Thank you

    Posted by: Black Friday Wireless Home Theater on November 13th, 2011 at 11:30 am

  14. Good Article for me Black Friday Wireless Home Theater Speakers Thank

    Posted by: Black Friday Wireless Home Theater Speakers on November 13th, 2011 at 11:30 am

  15. I wanted to let you know this is really great quality content. Well-written informative articles like this are just what I look for online. You have really done your research. http://www.samsung1080phdtv.net/

    Posted by: samsung 1080p hdtv on November 19th, 2011 at 7:25 am

  16. my comment

    Posted by: kurs php on December 6th, 2011 at 8:45 pm

  17. comprar caneta filmadora

    Posted by: caneta espiã on December 22nd, 2011 at 12:00 pm

  18. Si toi aussi tu veux vendre ta maison et faire des affaires dans l’ immobilier viens avec ta maison a vendre deposer une annonce immobiliere

    Posted by: Anonymous on December 25th, 2011 at 11:33 am

  19. Your article has made up for the mostly confusing information I’ve read on this subject. The clear, unique and interesting wording in your article made this easier to understand. This is very enjoyable reading material.

    Posted by: reef golf sandals on January 5th, 2012 at 4:37 pm

  20. Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is excellent, let alone the content!. Thanks For Your article about PingMag - The Tokyo-based magazine about “Design and Making Things” » Archive » AMO on Asia .

    Posted by: gue on March 28th, 2012 at 11:39 am

  21. AMO on Asia good post155

    Posted by: air multiplier on April 20th, 2012 at 3:22 pm

  22. AMO on Asia good post1609

    Posted by: bladeless fan on April 21st, 2012 at 4:15 pm

  • Share and Enjoy:
  • del.icio.us
  • digg
  • Fark
  • NewsVine
  • RawSugar
  • Reddit
  • YahooMyWeb
Previously on PingMag