Learning from Las Vegas

better late then never. learning from Las Vegas was originally published by the MIT press in 1972. thirty-six years later, the research conducted by its authors, architects Robert Venturi, Denise Scott Brown, and Steven Izenour is still extremely relevant. Las Vegas strip was a case study to discuss the virtues of the 'ordinary and ugly' above the 'heroic and original' qualities of modern architecture. the research exams the importance of symbolism following the critics about the way abstract shapes and spaces can express any significance (i believe it's almost impossible).
it would be very interesting to see the research continue after the last transformation of Las Vegas in the last decade. how the local abstract symbols of the desert - dunes, Aladdin and the wild west are now surrounded by detailed copies of symbols imported from Europe - piazza San Marco and the Eiffel tower; and how 2D signs became grotesque 3D signs of the pyramids in Egypt and New York City.