The Sublime

With Ruo Jia, Emma Letizia Jones, Ryan Scavnicky and Joseph Bedford.

Dialogue

LOCATION

Online

DURATION

90 Minutes

DATE

25/09/2025

SUMMARY

This dialogue addressed the concept of the sublime and its impact on architecture since the 18th century. It examined the theory of the sublime in 18th-century aesthetics and philosophy, particularly in Kant and Burke, as well as in architectural theory, for example in Boullée’s Essay on Art. It sought to grasp what defines the sublime, in contrast to other notions such as beauty, and what characterizes a sublime aesthetic in architecture, including scale, endlessness, infinity, and nature. In doing so, it referred especially to Boullée’s projects. It also cast an eye forward to consider how the sublime has continued to echo throughout history and influence architectural design.

BIOGRAPHY

Ruo Jia is founder and director of IfWorks.

Emma Letizia Jones is an assistant professor at the University of Hong Kong.

Ryan Scavnicky (Scav) is an assistant professor at Marywood University.

Joseph Bedford is an associate professor at Virginia Tech.

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CATALOGUE

With Ruo Jia, Emma Letizia Jones, Ryan Scavnicky and Joseph Bedford.

The Sublime

Online

25/09/2025

Format

Video

Dialogue

With Ruo Jia, Emma Letizia Jones, Ryan Scavnicky and Joseph Bedford.

INDEX

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