Jindřich Vybíral: The Early Years of Sigfried Giedion and Jewish Unconsciousness

Sigfried Giedion (1888–1968) was one of the "canonical" historians of modern architecture, whose judgments determined which creative accomplishments in this discipline would be deemed relevant. His book “Space, Time and Architecture” from 1941 became required reading for architects and art historians for almost half a century and remains one of the best-selling publications on modern architecture to this day. However, Giedion was not only a historiographer and advocate of the avant-garde; as a longstanding general secretary of CIAM, he was also a key witness and central actor in the happenings of the architectural scene. Jindřich Vybíral addresses Giedion's early years in Prague and Vienna in his lecture, which have thus far been overlooked by art historiography. He provides a wealth of microhistorical insights into the family background and social or cultural networks that formed the foundation of his personal growth and later professional career. The lecture also uncovers the existential experience of young Giedion, the grasping of which can contribute to a deeper understanding of his texts and activities within the international architectural community. This experience is the trauma associated with Judaism and the necessity to confront racial antisemitism.