Art in human life is a product of creative thinking, which allows the portrayal of humans’ imaginations in different artistic mediums. The perplexed life of Nomadic people in the prehistoric era, was rejuvenated by scaping visual art forms on available organic canvases. Later, humans recognized the value of art and strived to nurture life through various ingenious artistic expressions. Diverse art forms shaped communities.
Paintings, sculptures, literature, music, performances, and architecture are cherished expressions of art. These mediums of art are considered the outgrowing branches of a vigorous tree of Art. And without these art forms, human life is like Chandler getting the chair without the cushions, which are the true essence of the chair ( Reference – FRIENDS, Season 3, Episode 2 – The one where no one is ready! ). Life gets a different meaning when it is showcased through the artistic minds of humans. Art is not only the essence of living but also a medium to interpret unseen human entities, like thoughts and imaginations which mostly revolutionize human existence.
Art in every other form is more or less impacting human life, but art in architecture is a more apparent medium. Because Art in architecture brings out enormous expression in a society, it is the most subtle yet dominant demonstration of art. Hence, the regular life of humans is exceptionally influenced by the infusion of art in architecture. The space created by sound architecture induces discrete sets of feelings and emotions in the community, which in general contribute to the quality of life.
Art in Architecture
Basic Principles of Art and Architecture
Most of the forms of architecture follow similar sets of principles that are provided by art. Unity, Variety, Symmetry, Pattern, Emphasis, Movement, Proportion, Rhythm, Mass, Balance, Volume, Perspective, and Depth are some of the basic principles that are integrated into every artifact. Art in architecture also demands the same defining characteristics that enhance the essence of art in architecture. Art in architecture also involves elements like Forms, Textures, Spaces, Shapes, Colors, and Materials. Throughout the history of art and architecture, humans have created artistic architecture by trying permutations and combinations of these principles and elements. Based on these combinations, architecture has granted various regional styles.
Domes of Hagia Sophia showcasing Symmetry of Art and Architecture
For example, Greek architecture followed basic principles like Symmetry, Balance, and Unity and acquired unique apparel. Correspondingly, Temple architecture in India evolved with principles like Symmetry, Scale and Proportion, Balance, Pattern, and Repetition. Though some of the principles in both of these architectural styles are similar, their portrayal of those principles is very different from each other. And this is the true beauty of art in architecture! All over the world, many such architectural styles are unrolled by accepting these principles and blessing human communities with a unique and diverse range of architectural entities. Hence, art in architecture is engulfed with varied perspectives of art with the help of basic principles of art, which give every architectural mass a unique impression.
Artist in Architecture
Conceptual art for Lois and Richard Rosenthal Center by Ar. Zaha Hadid
Lois and Richard Rosenthal Center by Ar. Zaha Hadid
The use of different principles and elements in the evolution of art in architecture thrived individualism and nurtured different cultures throughout the world. But, art in architecture is not only involved in this aspect, it also determines the process of designing the structures. The architect in a studio conceptualizing the design is not different from an artist painting their creative ideas and imaginations on sheets. Several renowned architects bring out the artistic sense into the scape of architecture, by pervading the use of art through the overall process of designing a structure. Architect Zaha Hadid is one of those architects who portray the whole concept of a proposed project on a Canvas using strokes and shapes of colors. And then, beautifully derives meanings from those renderings to mesmerize the world with a conceptually sculpted design. Though every artist may not possibly become an architect, every architect is wholeheartedly an artist, who conserves the art in architecture.
Art Nouveau Architecture
Artists in architecture have shaped the world by expressing art in architecture throughout the evolution of artistic movements carried all over the world. The artistic movements in France during the French Revolution evoked some influential architectural styles. At that time, artistic movements like Realism, Impressionism, and Expressionism initiated by revolutionary artists, were revived by architects through architectural styles like Neoclassicism and Greek Revival. Later, changing times gave more artistic values to art in architecture and kindled decorative architectural styles like Art Nouveau and Art Deco. These are examples that demonstrate the strong relationship between art and architecture throughout history.
Union of Arts in Architecture
The union of arts in architecture is followed differently in different cultures. As the use of basic principles of art in architecture already combines art with architecture, the exterior built envelope portrays art efficiently in a structured world. But, architecture allows another union of arts by providing spaces in that built envelope, to encompass all other mediums of art. A true architectural masterpiece respects other artistic fields like painting, weaving, welding, sculpting, and scripting and holds a marriage of all suitable fields in the interiors of a built architectural volume. Interior space partitioned with painted clothed frames, installation of sculptures by giving justice to metal artists, and allowing regional artists to showcase their artistic values on inbuilt canvases of walls are some of the examples that exhibit the essence of art in architecture.
Sculpted installation of different materials
Wall paintings
Painted cloth sheets installed as partitions
Painted, textured and weaved cloth and metal installation
Madurai painting on cloth installed as ceiling light
# Art in Architecture Matters
Jali in Amber fort, Jaipur
Art in architecture not only justifies the artistic values of humans but also, acquires purpose in a built form. As art is influenced by region, geology, religion, socio-political culture, climate, and availability of materials, architecture blooms differently in different conditions. Hence, art in architecture induces a sense of purpose in architectural envelopes to withstand its regional conditions. Deserted regions adapt Jali in the form of art in architecture, to generate the Venturi effect and cool down the inner environment. These regional adaptations of art in architecture ensure sustainability in architecture.
Notre Dame Cathedral Gargoyles
In other aspects, art in architecture in the form of gargoyle not only gives a sculpted element to Victorian architecture but also, is used as a water drainage channel to protect the exterior of the built envelope from damages caused by rainwater. Similarly, every other element in architectural marvels has been purposely designed to sustain both objectives and art in architecture. Then may it be the Greek orders, artistic vaults, varied domes, colonnades, toranas, arcades, or modern-day beautified trusses or intricate facades, all of them provide a meaning to the art in architecture.
Long span Trusses
The expression of art in architecture is widely accepted and cherished. In every other form and element, art in architecture matures and provides artistic values. Not only this but artists in architecture also provide a substratum to allow an organic integration of various mediums of art in architecture. Hence through all of this, the essence of art in architecture is preserved and admired all over the world.
References
Choe, J. (2020) 10 Amazing Architectural Artists – archigardener. https://www.archigardener.com/2014/05/10-amazing-architectural-artists.html.
Architecture as subject for art – (no date). https://www.world-architects.com/en/architecture-news/insight/architecture-as-subject-for-art.
Mae West Room (no date). https://www.minniemuse.com/articles/musings/mae-west-room.
Keskeys, P. (2022) How Architecture is Born: 8 abstract paintings by Zaha Hadid and the buildings they inspired. https://architizer.com/blog/practice/tools/how-architecture-is-born-zaha-hadid/.
