The Function of the Concepts Figurative and Figural in Machine of Architecture Peter Eisenman

Abstract

In our lecture, we focus on the terms figurative and figural as defined by Francois Lyotard and Gilles Deleuze in his book on Francis Bacon. We examine these terms’ roles in Peter Eisenman’s architectural thinking and design. Eisenman became interested in the reflection of Deleuze’s philosophy after he collaborated with Jacques Derrida. There are various aspects of Deleuze’s influence on Eisenman to be explored. The first utilizes Deleuze’s term fold . The second considers Eisenman’s version of a diag - ram elaborated in dialogue with Deleuze’s term diagram . Moreover, finally, the third points towards Deleuze’s terms mentioned above, figurative and figural and their role in Eisenman’s construction of the term and project of the interstitial space . Our lecture traces Eisenman’s understanding of figura - tive and figural and asks how interstitiality has become an argument in the problematization of both heterogenous and affirmative aspects of architecture in critical architectural thinking.