Patrimonio o zavorra

The modern architecture arrived several years later in Puglia and Basilicata through the official channels of the fascist state. Neither the echo of the avant-gardes from central and northern Europe arrived. This condition underlies every consideration we can do around the ‘900 in these peripheral regions of the Western world, putting the data in an appropriate perspective. We thus discover that the imported models have generated epigones of great dignity. After the war, modernity seeks harmony with history and tradition, neorealism and international style arrive. Then the postmodern, the critical regionalism, the deconstructivism, the high-tech ... The gap is gradually and constantly reduced until it disappears completely at the end of the century. The selection of architectures that this exhibition proposes may be partial. Because it could only be based on individual contributions. Of the quality that the selected and exhibited architectures express, there is a much more widespread reverberation in our cities, sometimes works by authors who are not overtly known or even anonymous, which should be studied gradually. A considerable amount of these good architectures have materialized in the most sordid season of our cities, regulated by economy rather than by the principle of form. In the coming years, architectural culture will have to investigate the possibility of correcting a so high distortions produced in those few decades. What to do with so many 20th century architecture? How much can be restored and how much will it be liable to alteration or removal instead? Construction techniques and technological equipment, today denounce an obsolescence unthinkable at the time. The reflection on the widespread legacy of the twentieth century, poised between being considered in the immediate future heritage or ballast, has not yet begun. The decades to come will have to reflect on the ability to intervene on a contradictory urban scene. The time has perhaps come to take full conscience and plan a substantial restructuring without recline in the culturally comfortable role of maintenance technicians.