Star Architecture from Below: Narratives and Images from Social Networks

This chapter studies star architecture through the analysis of tags and comments on social networks (TripAdvisor and Instagram). The objective is the analysis of star architectural projects from below, that is, the way visitors depict and frame star architecture and express aesthetical judgement, to characterise “star architecture” and “iconicity” from the point of view of its reception. The analysis of the comments on a selection of sites shows the importance of the architectural component in the tourist experience, not reducible to the mention of the star architect, but presenting multiple types of discourse, pluralising the reception of star architecture. The purely “star” architectural dimension, based on the notoriety of the architect, can then be distinguished from the elements referring to the visual effects of buildings or to a perception of the building in its environment, closer to the notion of iconic building.