The mechanics of information in the age of the internet, social media and artificial intelligence allow for the creation of parallel universes – sometimes dystopian ones. Yes, we have stepped squarely into the world of post-truth, proving de facto that Umberto Eco was a genius. He had not, however, realised just how fragile the balance of a rational world was, for the village idiot has infected other inhabitants – those who ought to be a bulwark against obscurantism: people reputed to be educated, writers, journalists, publishers, film-makers, professors, all those who ought to be committed to conveying verified information that corresponds to reality.
In the media lynching to which Le Corbusier is being subjected, we are witnessing a rather unique case of relentless persecution. Setting the record straight is about putting an end to the nonsense and gaining altitude in order to get a broader view of the issue; thus, everyone will see that the Earth, whilst it may be blue like an orange, is no less round. For Le Corbusier will remain one of the great figures of 20th century culture: a visionary architect who invented signature architecture, who built across four continents; a peerless communicator, at once a writer, painter and sculptor; a humanist reconnecting with the great figures of the Renais-sance, driven by the desire both to envision the world and to build it.
With contributions by Renaud Barrès, Tim Benton, Dominique Claudius‑Petit, Edouard Curchod, Jacques Gubler, Robert Belot.
Bilingual book French-English
