Banality of Good: Six decades of New Towns, Architects, Money and Politics - INTI

Showcased through large allegoric triptychs that represent both the dreams and the realities of the towns, it asks: Can the design of New Towns again be a subject of collective pride? Instead of the banality of the icon, the banality of wealth or the banality of fear, like we see in so many new cities at the moment, can it be the Banality of Good?

Associated Talk and Sing-along The Banality of Good: From Stevenage to the World Tuesday 26 March, 7.45pm

As part of the Spring Last Tuesday, Crimson Architectural Historians lead an introduction to the exhibition, followed by a musical performance of ’Brasilia’ by the singer, guitarist and author Mark Ritsema. Free event - drop in on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fees: Admission to all RIBA exhibitions is free.

Contact: Please note, galleries may be closed early for special events. Call +44 (0)20 7307 3699 to check opening times.

Organiser: Crimson Architectural Historians in cooperation with the International New Town Institute

Sponsors: The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands


Banality of Good: Six decades of New Towns, Architects, Money and Politics What connects King Abdullah’s Economic City in Saudi Arabia to Stevenage in Hertfordshire? Or the city of Songjiang in China to Tema in Ghana? Each are new towns - planned places, quite different in their own way, but each sharing a DNA inspired by an agenda and set of ideals of what makes a place. Based on six international cities built between World War II and the present day, this exhibition by Dutch collective, the Crimson Architectural Historians in cooperation with the International New Town Institute- first shown at the Venice Architecture Biennale in Summer 2012 - looks at the architecture and socio-economic drivers that inspired their development and the complexities of city making. Showcased through large allegoric triptychs that represent both the dreams and the realities of the towns, it asks: Can the design of New Towns again be a subject of collective pride? Instead of the banality of the icon, the banality of wealth or the banality of fear, like we see in so many new cities at the moment, can it be the Banality of Good? Associated Talk and Sing-along The Banality of Good: From Stevenage to the World Tuesday 26 March, 7.45pm As part of the Spring Last Tuesday, Crimson Architectural Historians lead an introduction to the exhibition, followed by a musical performance of ’Brasilia’ by the singer, guitarist and author Mark Ritsema. Free event - drop in on a first-come, first-served basis. Fees: Admission to all RIBA exhibitions is free. Contact: Please note, galleries may be closed early for special events. Call +44 (0)20 7307 3699 to check opening times. Organiser: Crimson Architectural Historians in cooperation with the International New Town Institute Sponsors: The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands		Travelling exhibition at RIBA, London - March 26 - May 14, 2013 March 26 - May 14, 2013 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Venue:RIBA, 66 Portland Place London W1B 1AD Photo by Iwan Baan