The recent interview done by the well-known journalist Pavel ZINGAN with the distinguished Mrs. Aurelia CARPOV, assoc. prof., PhD in Architecture, head of the Department of Architecture at the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning of the Technical University of Moldova (https://pavelzingan.md/aureliya-karpov-dzhaz-i-debyussi…/) turned out to be one of those conversations through which we rediscover people we see and talk to everyday, but whom we still have a lot to learn about.
How much music can glimpse through her creative style of teaching the history of architecture? By the way, did you know that Art Déco is a perfect match for jazz? Or that Claude Debussy’s music, which she adores, is often the background music of her lectures? This is because her style of teaching the history of architecture, just like the sound architecture of the music of the brilliant Debussy, goes beyond traditionalist concepts. Moreover, the mood and the atmosphere that persists during her classes are highlighted by her carefully chosen outfits that resemble the time period she teaches. Thus, she wants to bring the students closer to the topic of the lecture, as architecture is and has always been inseparable from the music, fashion and art of its period of time. Each of her classes is a show, and this is why she wishes for the pandemic restrictions to be lifted as soon as possible, so that students can return to the lecture halls and to the old-style courses.
In fact, discovering and exceeding new limits has always been one of her distinctive qualities. In this regard, she decided to deepen her knowledge in the field of architecture by pursuing a doctorate in Bucharest. She took this step in the 90s – a time when architecture and construction in Chișinău had been in a virtually frozen state, mostly dominated by offices. Even though life across the Prut proved not to be any more flourishing, the Faculty of Architecture was a uniquely special realm. This is where her inspiration came from – the atmosphere within the faculty, the way of being of the professors, their creativity and aspirations, and especially of her scientific coordinator, the formidable architect Mihail Caffe.
Aurelia talks nostalgically about her departure to Chernivtsi, where she went to study the Art Nouveau style for her doctoral thesis. Deeply impressed by the stunning architecture of the city, she photographed everything that surrounded her. After returning to Bucharest, she printed the photos, arranged them on the table and, the moment she noticed the amazement on her teachers’ faces, she was confident that she had found the materials she needed for her research paper. However, Aurelia wasn’t enthusiastic about writing long and dull texts, thus managing to express her thoughts in about 20 pages, all in one breath. Concise and to the point, but distinctively short, compared to her colleagues, who wrote theses of over 200 pages! She was certainly nervous, but the reviews she received surprised her even more. The professor told her that he had not read 20 pages of such straightforward and deep thoughts and ideas in a long time. And Mihail Caffe was not the only one who preferred straightforwardness. The teachers there were the role models who nurtured the systemic approach she still practices today.
Over the years, Aurelia maintains the relationship with many of her teachers and their students, inviting professors from Bucharest annually to give lectures at FUA. She is surrounded by architecture at home as well: her husband and eldest daughter are architects, her middle daughter is studying architecture, and her little one is already interested in what architecture is. It is quite obvious what the conversations and aspirations within the family are focused on.
Architecture is ubiquitous and constantly inspires us. Can you sense it?
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