Paul Virilio, philosopher and urbanist, dies at 86 in Paris

Key facts

• Paul Virilio died on September 10, 2018, in Paris, likely from a heart attack.
• His death was confirmed by his daughter Sophie after a private funeral on September 17.
• Born in Paris in 1932 to an Italian father.
• Influenced by Henri Matisse in his youth.
• Trained as a master glassmaker at the École des métiers d'art in Paris.
• Studied architecture and attended lectures by Vladimir Jankélévitch and Raymond Aron at the Sorbonne.
• Joined the École spéciale d'architecture in 1968, becoming director of studies in 1973, general director in 1975, administrator in 1983, president of the board in 1989, and professor emeritus in 1998.
• Joined the Collège international de philosophie in Paris in 1989, presided over by Jacques Derrida.
• Known for his theory of dromology (the science of speed) and critical analysis of new technologies.
• Authored numerous influential books including 'Vitesse et politique' (1977), 'Esthétique de la disparition' (1980), 'L'espace critique' (1984), 'La machine de vision' (1988), 'L'inertie polaire' (1990), 'Cybermonde, la politique du pire' (1996), 'Un paysage d'événements' (1996), 'La bombe informatique' (1998), 'Ce qui arrive' (2002), 'Ground Zero' (2002), 'L'art à perte de vue' (2005), 'Le futurisme de l'instant' (2009), and 'Le grand accélérateur' (2010).
• In an interview with Alain Veinstein, he defined the post-9/11 era as 'hyper-war'.
• Days before his death, he worked with Jacques Arnould on a book and was preparing an exhibition at the Fondation Cartier with Hala Warde.
• Co-founded the 'Architecture Principe' movement with Claude Parent in 1963, promoting oblique architecture.
• Co-designed the church of Sainte-Bernadette du Banlay in Nevers with Claude Parent.