Architecture Blogger Uses Terrible Rape Metaphor
You might think, in the year 2014, that the distastefulness of casual rape metaphors would be obvious. But you'd be wrong! In a blog post published today on the website Arch2o, Ivan Sergejev shares 20 "tips" for being a successful architect, based on his experience interning at the Office for Metrop
You might think, in the year 2014, that the distastefulness of casual rape metaphors would be obvious. But you’d be wrong! In a blog post published today on the website Arch2o, Ivan Sergejev shares 20 “tips” for being a successful architect, based on his experience interning at the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), the firm co-founded by Rem Koolhaas. And there it is, coming in at number 8:
As far as free time goes, keep this joke in mind: “If you know you cannot avoid the rape, relax and enjoy”. At OMA, there will be “rape” (metaphorically speaking), so relax, forget about free time and enjoy your work.
Oh, but don’t get your panties in a twist. This is “rape,” not to be confused with real rape. The distinction reminds me of Kristen Schaal’s Daily Show primer on what qualifies as rape rape versus rape-ish — except hers was a parody.
Also, is that spectacularly unfunny sentence telling you to “relax and enjoy” “rape” really a “joke” that circulates among adult human beings?
The whole post reads like a horrible and bizarre treatise on what a tough and macho field architecture is. Tip 4? “Stress is the best motivator. That is why you produce your best work when you sleep 4 hours a night and work like crazy towards a deadline just a few days away. Masochistic, but great.” Tip 11? “Submission is better than fighting back.” Let’s now all take a moment to think — and read — about architecture’s abysmal gender gap.
According to his personal blog, Sergejev is “an architect, blogger, sci-fi fan and data center enthusiast based in Tallinn, Estonia,” currently working part time at Alver Architects. According to its Tumblr, the somewhat cryptic Arch2o “was founded in April 2012 as a new website where we review and critique architecture, urbanism, art, and design.” Its Facebook page elaborates:
Our staff is committed to ensuring the quality of the research submitted to our website. Our team members work collaboratively on a daily basis to brainstorm and debate about the most influential, innovative and often prestigious architectural practices, ideas and projects worthy of occupying our online space. We do this constantly in order deliver specific and valuable content. Like successful architectural teams, we have the passion to share radical discoveries, ambition to improve our readers’ knowledge, and desire to respond to their needs.
I’m so glad architecture-internship-as-offensive-rape-metaphor was deemed something that would improve readers’ knowledge. Something tells me the folks at OMA wouldn’t agree.
h/t @KillinIt247frvr
