We have long been proud to count architecture critic Mark Lamster (’21) among our Rabkin Prize winners, and today we are celebrating his latest, extraordinary milestone: winning the Pulitzer Prize. Mark’s writing doesn’t merely evaluate the physical structures that define the skyline, he unmasks social, political, and human realities embedded within our built environment, reminding us why cultural criticism remains so vital.
We caught up with Mark for a brief Q&A to discuss his recent honor, the shifting tides of journalism, and what it takes to sustain a fearless critical voice today.
Q: You are one of the few remaining architecture critics on staff at a legacy publication in the U.S., and your role has been supported through a novel model. Tell us about that. Do you think that could be replicated?
When I began working at The Dallas Morning News, my duties and salary were divided between the newspaper and the University of Texas at Arlington and later the Harvard Graduate School of Design. I do think the idea of dividing time between a paper and an institution is one that could be used more frequently.
Q: What was it like to win the Pulitzer? What was that day like for you?
Frankly, when I was notified the day before the announcement, I didn’t really believe it. I thought I might just be a finalist, and there was confusion between the Pulitzer board and my editor. So the next 24 hours, until the announcement was made — I’ve had surgery that was less stressful — and then it was just an overwhelming daze. Only now am I beginning to process it, and it’s pretty great!
Q: In our rapidly changing media landscape, what feels challenging about your work today and what, if anything, feels newly possible?
I don’t think there’s been much change at the core: Writing criticism is writing criticism. I’m not pivoting to video. I’m too much of a graybeard to take up TikTok. AI is terrifying but has its uses (for me, mainly fettering out public records). So I’m just going to do what I do and hope I keep getting paid.
Q: Do you have thoughts on how we can sustain and inspire the next generation of art and architecture critics? Where do you find good criticism surfacing these days?
I think there’s lots of good criticism. The hard part is getting critics paid. The Rabkin [Prize] is a lifesaver for those of us fortunate enough to be selected. I’d love to see some philanthropic organization subvent the salaries of critics at newspapers. There is (or was?) an organization that did this for classical music critics. I don’t see why the leaders of the architecture profession — the American Institute of Architects, for instance — can’t spearhead some kind of similar venture. The same goes for the art world.
Q: What are the ingredients for a good writing day for you? Do you have any rituals?
Coffee. A laptop. At home or a cafe or both. I’m pretty flexible. My schedule is generally organized around walking the family dog.
Q: Do you have any regrets as a writer, something unwritten or unexpressed? Something you’ve changed your mind about?
I don’t think I have any major regrets. I wish I had more energy. Someday I’d like to write the great American novel … or a mediocre American novel.
Q: What is a building, space or place that you hope to experience in your lifetime?
My goodness, there are so many. But let me spin this around. What I’d really like is to go back in time to the mid ’90s in New York, and have an Evelyne’s salad and a Spaten at Florent, where everybody knew your name. That I would like.
THE BIG LIST
As always, here’s a digest of some of the arts writing we’ve been reading and are inspired to share with you.
Jasmine Amussen on The Summer I Turned Pretty
Jorge S. Arango on two exhibits at the PMA
Jorge S. Arango on resisting revisionist history
Robin Babb on adobe as architecture and art practice
Emma Breitman on Interlaced, Interwoven
Shana Nys Dambrot on Yoko Ono
Ben Davis on the Venice Biennale
Ben Davis analyzes the Venice Biennale
Fabiola R. Delgado on political asylum
Amanda Fortini on Yoko Ono and feminist art
Coco Fusco on Wifredo Lam
Robin Givhan on Derrick Adams
Eileen G’Sell on I Love Boosters
Jim Higgins on Georgia O’Keeffe: the Brightness of Light
Harmony Holiday on Monuments
Sarah Hotchkiss on The Etruscans
Jupiter’s Sonic Cradles issue
Mark Lamster on Houston’s Kinder Building
Colony Little on Betye Saar
Carolina A. Miranda on the new LACMA
Carolina A. Miranda on Magdalena Suarez Frimkess
Christina Nafziger on Jen Everett
Nieman Reports with Liz Kelly Nelson
Cara Ober on the SCOUT Art Fair
David Perell with Maria Popova
Robin Pogrebin on art at the Obama Center
Andrew Russeth on Lee Ufan
Andrew Russeth on Venice Biennale completist Jaeyong Park
Jerry Saltz on the ’90s art world
Anya Sesay on Widline Cadet
Jessica Shearer on Persona
Robert Sullivan on Megan O’Grady’s new book
Hrag Vartanian on the Venice Biennale
Emily Watlington on systems art
Lori Waxman on Korean National Treasures
J Wortham on Tokyo
Hoping you are all well and taking good care.
As always, thank you for the work you do.
Warmly, and until next month (hello summer!),
Mary Louise