Collapse of dimension: the fall of the fourth wall in architecture of John Hejduk

Resumen

The fall of the fourth wall in architecture of John Hejduk / Colapso de la dimensión: la caída de la cuarta pared en la arquitec-tura de John HejdukThis article examines the techniques of breaking the fourth wall in John Hejduks architecture. Through the comparative analysis of Hejduks early and late paintings, this article points out that in Hejduks career, his works have always shown a characteristic of trying to cross multiple dimensions. Hence, it proposes the connection between the forth wall of Bertolt Brechts theatrical theory and the long procedure of Hejduks intension of collapsing multiple dimensions into architecture. The article tries to define what is the fourth wall in the building and the possible result of breaking it. It then focuses on the three main mechanism that John Hejduk employed in order to break the fourth wall: a long path, transparent façade, and biomorphic and prosthetic form. By doing so, architecture archives the moment when it gains its estrangement effect and as a matter of fact, give the objectification of architecture a solution.