Italy/Australia: Postmodern Architecture in Translation

Architectural scholarship and historical exchanges on postmodern architecture and urbanism between Australian and Italy have received little attention until now. Silvia Micheli and John Macarthur’s edited collection opens this conversation by drawing attention to the complexity of international influences and mutual exchanges between these two countries in the period of 1970s and 80s. Often, these exchanges travelled from Italy, via Britain (at least in terms of models and major influences), and/or America before arriving in Australia.(7, 9) The title announces “translation” as its underlying framework; however, the book concerns different instances of circulation, appropriation, inspiration, which, although related to translation, are all different processes. “Translation” is used to describe the variety of international influences, rather than as a conceptual framework. (This is arguably the case as the book never announced the intention to use translation as a key concept.) The material examined in the book simultaneously exposes the difficulty of examining the translation of architectural ideas and the richness of international influences and exchanges on postmodern architecture in Australia. It also offers insight into the search for a uniquely Australian national identity during this period. Rich illustrations complement the analysis and equally provide the first visual account of the various exchanges between Italy and Australia, visible in drawings, covers of the journals and books, and architectural photographs.