Relationship Between Architecture and Art

Question: Writeabout the Relationship Between Architecture and Art. Answer: Introduction Harmony is defined to be the state of co-existence achievable when two or more elements in the same context complement one another thereby enhancing one anothers effects. It is common that in case two elements exist in perfect harmony rarely are a second thought given to the distinction between the elements at play. This is the same case with architecture and art. The two are often connected that seldom does an individual notice there exist a difference between them. Commonly, people assume and oversimplify this relationship in such a way that architecture is involved with the structures in the built environment while art ends at the decoration point. As brought forth by one of the scholars of the time, art refers to the application or expression of the creative skills and imaginations of human beings in a typical visual form such as sculpture or painting. In this regard, art is primarily aimed at emotional power or beauty. Art has three visual forms i.e. sculpture which refers to art that one can walk around, painting which is art to be looked at and architecture which is basically art that an individual can walk through. From this classification, it is deducible that architecture is in itself a form of art. On the other hand, architecture is defined in three dimensions including firmness, beauty, and usefulness.7 Firmness in this context could as well be referring to strength. Beauty is an expression of the human skills and imagination to a piece of work to communicate the existence of admirable forms and elements. Just like there exist virtual or non-functional buildings, so do unconventional pieces of art for example sound sculptures and three-dimensional paintings. Another scholar yet also defined architecture as a form of art in which one deliberately or unknowingly creates an emotion of aesthetics in an atmosphere and when the environment reciprocates by producing well-being.[1] Artistic elements are easily found in a building for example in traditional architecture of both the east and west, parts of the building for example columns, beams and roofs were found to have heavily ornamented with sculptures and painted reliefs. However, there exist numerous artworks which trace their aspirations from architecture. Taking Ronchamp Chapel, France, done by Le Corbusier as one of the case studies. In his design, Le Corbusier makes visitors walk round the building before getting to the entrance. He deliberately ignores placing the chapel right at the end of the road and instead opts for people to walk a further distance to the end of the hill. The walk up the hill is not on straight paths but rather along curved walkways. These are seen as design strategies to delay the arrival of visitors to the chapel. The long journey through the woods as one move up the end of the hill is seen as a preparatory for the holy experience to the visitors.5 As they walk a longer distance, they find enough time to settle and set their mind in readiness for a holy service. In case the chapel would have been located right at the end of the road, it would mean most of the visitors would be bumping into the place of worship immediately from the street denying them ample time for spiritual preparation. This architecture is an expression of a form of art dealing with human emotion. The building interior is dark having stained glass windows which give a sharp contrast to the pristine exterior. In addition to the main altar, there are three other smaller chapels which are linked to the main worship space. Each altar has its own light tower which is a reflection of three exterior towers. The three towers can as well as a symbolism of the Trinity i.e. God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.7 These towers are linked together just like the three Godheads work together. This is yet another expression of architecture in the form of art and vice versa. Considering the building form, Le Corbusier was inspired by the wing of a dove, bat or by a pair of hands praying.8 This makes the design exhibit both sculptural and organic properties. It is organic in the sense that the inspiration is derived from activities related to the intended purpose which is in this case praying. Using the concept of paying hands in the design of a charge not only provides the well-being of the environment but also improves on its aesthetics. The building form would always create an emotion of humility to the users of the structure and passers-by. The shape of the building is quite complex encompassing planes (both vertical and horizontal), volumes and points to come up with a bigger form in which all the shapes included are in harmony. One would have different experiences of the facades when going round the building. Each of the elevations gives a unique feeling of the chapel.8 Another illustration of the relationship between art and architecture in this case study is the materials used in the construction. Le Corbusier chose to use concrete in his design even though most of the churches and places of worship at the time were done with stones and bricks. Even though he used concrete throughout the structure, it does not create monotony or dominance. This is achieved through the differences in the textures at various points. Through art, Le Corbusier chose to have some surfaces rough while others smooth taking care not ensure harmony between the differently textured surfaces.[2] In conclusion, architecture is the mother art. If we do not have an architecture of our won, then we have no soul of the civilization of ourselves. In other words, architecture is art and art are architecture. Artists not only manipulate the spaces that are available with structures but more often than not architects take up the role of artists themselves. Artistic works usually stand out in architectural pieces of work but work together with them to bring harmony and conformity of the building. Art and architecture must, therefore, work in harmony to improve the usefulness of a structure as buildings are no longer just establishments and elections from the surface of the ground. References Benjamin, Andrew. Writing Art and Architecture. London: re.press, 2010. Brouwer, Joke. ARt D: Research and Development in Art. Kansas: V2_ publishing, 2005. Diamonstein, Barbaralee. American architecture now. New York: Rizzoli, 2005. Jodidio, Philip. Architecture: Nature. New Delhi: Prestel, 2006. Kleinbauer, W. Eugene. Modern Perspectives in Western Art History: An Anthology of Twentieth-century Writings on the Visual Arts. California: University of Toronto Press, 2007. Masmoudi, Slim. Attention, Representation, and Human Performance: Integration of Cognition, Emotion, and Motivation. New York: Psychology Press, 2012. Taylor, Mark C. Disfiguring: Art, Architecture, Religion. New York: University of Chicago Press, 2012. Vesely, Dalibor. Architecture in the Age of Divided Representation: The Question of Creativity in the Shadow of Production. London: MIT Press, 2004.