Listen "9. The Open Hand & Other Monuments"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode, we explore the monuments of the Capitol Complex - their meanings, functions and origins. We critique the symbolism of the Open Hand and its present-day transformation and overuse as a symbol. We also briefly discuss the mythical status of Chandigarh in the architectural imagination. TIMESTAMPS: 1:10 - What might be the reason behind the lack of literature around the monuments in the Capitol Complex? 2:13 - What are the different monuments? 3:16 - The missing sculptures of the Martyr's Memorial 4:41 - The martyrdom / end of history and the lack of statues in the city 6:10 - The Tower of Shadows and the Artificial Hill (24 Solar Hours) and 'briese-soleil' 7:54 - The Capitol monuments as an ode to the cosmos 10:01 - Monuments as shrines of Corb's belief system akin to Nehru's dams 10:49 - Similarity to 'follies' with lack of a defined program 12:53 - The invention of new 'modernist rituals' 13:19 - Monuments as 'direction indicators' and 'mileposts' 16:05 - Could the monuments be read as cubist objects that act peripherally to reframe the main buildings? 16:48 - The 'original' concept of the folly in British stroll gardens and Chinese/Japanese gardens 18:57 - The genesis of the Open Hand - a symbol of the 'second machine age'… open to give and receive 21:28 - The Cold War, the Non-Aligned Movement and independent thinking - utopian vision articulated in the Open Hand 25:12 - Sidestepping the dualities of East-West critiques around Chandigarh; 'Non-Aligned Modernism' 26:10 - The 'situationist' modus operandi of modernism 27:14 - What does the ubiquitousness of the Open Hand as a symbol of Chandigarh do its meaning? 28:11 - The uncontrollable transformation and dissemination of symbols / Fondation Le Corbusier's Open Hand logo 31:37 - Other monument like structures and symbols around the city 33:37 - Monuments collectively as objects of intrigue 35:44 - Chandigarh's status as mythical in the public imagination
More episodes of the podcast Story of Chandigarh
10. The Museum Complex
07/03/2025
7. The Assembly
03/12/2024
6. The Secretariat
02/11/2024
5. The High Court
02/10/2024
4. The Capitol Complex
01/09/2024
3. The Masterplan
01/09/2024
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