Rem Koolhaas explains Europe
[one of 50 “manifestos” - is he serious?]
http://www.icon-magazine.co.uk/issues/050/manifestos/manifesto_04.html
REM KOOLHAAS Rotterdam
Europe!
Europe is doing almost ridiculously well. We fly for next to nothing,
we have the highest quality prisons, Europe gave us millions of new
friends, Frisian Lakes are maintained in order, sewers that ruined
the most beautiful beaches are gone, the Spanish countryside is now a
polished backdrop for whizzing high-speed trains. War criminals are
put on trial. Ireland is rich. The Turkish think about who they want
to become.
We can study, work, have fun everywhere. We are a sea of languages.
Our Babel works. We protect differences, subsidise the “useless”.
Throughout the entire continent monuments are preserved and new
masterpieces are created. Those who used to be stooped with burdens
walk straight again thanks to Europe. Identity takes on more depth in
an amazing mixture of 25 cultures that constantly measure their
progress against one another. A never-ending Eurovision.
The last boss of Europe walked the streets without bodyguards.
An administration smaller than the one of Madrid governs our entire
continent from modest anonymous offices in Brussels. The Eurasian
giants, India and China, wait benevolently until we are ready to
start the post-Atlantic era together. Then the distribution of oil
can be arranged between the ones who are benefiting directly from it.
The desert will no longer need to be pumped out for American SUVs.
400 million of us dictate the taste of six billion people. We decide
what is beautiful and what is good behaviour. Our rules are
contagious and are voluntarily complied with by all others. No one is
afraid of us, yet we are immensely popular.