I am presenting s/m/l/xl for a class of mine (as ridiculous as that sounds), and my method for getting at the book is to study it through overarching themes as opposed to the book as a whole. Meaning looking at how color is used, plans, the dictionary, overlay, etc. Essentially picking the book apart piece by piece to understand the whole (if that is even possible, which I am well aware that his book pretty much sets itself up to not be understood and read in typical ways)

But one of the interesting things about Rem is his use of pornographic images throughout not just s/m/l/xl, but also in content. I don't think it is any small coincedence that Rem wrote soft-core porn back in the day...in fact it seems like his film experience has a huge impact on his architectural practice......

So, what I am looking for is "The White Slave" It is a movie he co-wrote with Rene Daalder back in 1969. Does anyone know where to get it? I feel like I have looked everywhere...oh, and also if anyone has any information on "Body and Soul," which he produced in 1966 (again I think it was with Daalder).

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

And I understand I sound like a total perv...but i swear this is legitimate architectural research.

I would say the book/s use pornography rather the myth or notion of perversion (in form, the body, etc); however the angle which you are approaching it from sounds great. Just remember the more liberal dutch culture has much to do with it, as your own bias.

would love to read it when you are finished.

doesn't use... bleh

archi, you mean the more liberal dutch culture USED to be, sadly...

NoName, I guess google or torrents didn't help, White Slave 69
or at least got you distracted...

I'd try to contact the NAi (Dutch Architecture Institute, www.nai.nl) - They have quite a large collection of all things Koolhaas-related. Maybe they also have a stack of his porn?

Glad you found some more profound themes then Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large. I've always thought the influence of Russian Constructivism was the most interesting filter to read it, though friends have argued that Dutch Calvinism makes everything clear. (Well, Calvinism plus some "Liberal Dutch Culture")

usernametaken: thanks for the tip on the NAi, I'll see what I can drudge up through them.

and sadly, google and torrents have been so far unfruitful....

18x32: Dutch Calvinism? By saying that are you talking about ideas of predestination and total depravity? I am not familiar with what makes Dutch Calvinism different from Calvinism...but I think I can see how total depravity (with a touch of 'Liberal Dutch Culture') could be seen in Rem's work.

Please post any koolhaas films that you find as well as your own SMLXL presentation. Thanks.

Not sure that Dutch Calvinism is a different strain in any way, it was just to emphasize that it is a widespread cultural condition in the Netherlads, I think. Yes, the argument had to do with the idea of predestination, the fact that one's good/bad fortune signified one's status, but that outward celebration of it was crass or tawdry. One wants to be successful as a sign of being in the elect, but modesty prevents reveling in it.

Similarly Rem's designs are unique in their organisation but frequently employ a "cover" of normal, boring, generic, etc.. ("Typical Plan", "Generic City", "Junkspace", the facade of the DAC not betraying the complexity of its interior, and others)