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HISTORY OF MODERN ARCHITECTURE SAHRA EBOHON S16152607
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Contents Page: Page 3 : Reference Page Page 4 : What is Modernism ? Page 5 – 7 : The Pre Raphaelites Movement Page 8 - 11 : The Bauhaus Movement Page 12 - 17 : Le Corbusier - Capitol Building Chandigarh India Presentation Page 18 - 19 : Italian Modernism Page 20 : Manifesto and Avant Grande Page 21 : Modernism Critical Regionalism Page 22 : After Modernism UK & USA 1950 -1970 (Birmingham City Library) Page 23 : Frank Lloyd Wright Page 24 : Brazilian Modernism – Transcultural Space
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Reference Page: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Royalacademy.org.uk. (2019). Should art be more political? | Blog | Royal Academy of Arts. [online] Available at: https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/article/should-art-be-political [Accessed 11 Jan. 2019]. ArchiPanic. (2017). 2017 round-up: architects and designers respond to global issues. [online] Available at: http://www.archipanic.com/2017-round-up/ [Accessed 11 Jan. 2019]. En.wikipedia.org. (2019). Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-Raphaelite_Brotherhood [Accessed 15 Jan. 2019]. ArchDaily. (2018). Spotlight: Aldo Rossi. [online] Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/367400/happy-birthday-aldo-rossi [Accessed 11 Jan. 2019]. Encyclopedia Britannica. (2019). Aldo Rossi | Italian architect. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Aldo-Rossi [Accessed 11 Jan. 2019]. Jstage.jst.go.jp. (2019). [online] Available at: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jaabe/1/1/1_1_303/_pdf [Accessed 11 Jan. 2019]. En.wikipedia.org. (2019). The Architecture of the City. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Architecture_of_the_City [Accessed 11 Jan. 2019]. Williammorrissociety.org. (2019). The William Morris Society » About William Morris. [online] Available at: https://williammorrissociety.org/about-william-morris/ [Accessed 15 Jan. 2019]. The Museum of Modern Art. (2019). Giorgio de Chirico | MoMA. [online] Available at: https://www.moma.org/artists/1106 [Accessed 11 Jan. 2019]. Biography. (2019). Giorgio de Chirico. [online] Available at: https://www.biography.com/people/giorgio-de-chirico-9246949 [Accessed 11 Jan. 2019]. Otterstein, P., Otterstein, P., Bedworth, C., Ferreira, R., Michalska, M., Witte, R. and Witte, R. (2017). The World Seen Through de Chirico’s Surrealistic Eyes. [online] DailyArtMagazine.com - Art History Stories. Available at: http://www.dailyartmagazine.com/chirico-surrealistic-eyes/ [Accessed 11 Jan. 2019]. Khan Academy. (2019). A Beginner's Guide to the Pre-Raphaelites. [online] Available at: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/becoming-modern/victorian-art-architecture/preraphaelites/a/a-beginners-guide-to-the-pre-raphaelites [Accessed 15 Jan. 2019]. The British Library. (2019). The Pre-Raphaelites. [online] Available at: https://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/the-pre-raphaelites [Accessed 15 Jan. 2019]. En.wikipedia.org. (2019). Critical regionalism. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_regionalism [Accessed 11 Jan. 2019]. BBC Guides. (2019). Inside the Mosque: What do you need to know?. [online] Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z297hv4 [Accessed 11 Jan. 2019]. En.wikipedia.org. (2019). The arts and politics. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_arts_and_politics [Accessed 11 Jan. 2019]. Biography. (2019). Frank Lloyd Wright. [online] Available at: https://www.biography.com/people/frank-lloyd-wright-9537511 [Accessed 11 Jan. 2019]. TheFreeDictionary.com. (2019). Regional modernism. [online] Available at: https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Regional+modernism [Accessed 11 Jan. 2019]. BBC News. (2019). Central Library demolition scheduled. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-30408943 [Accessed 11 Jan. 2019] Study.com. (2019). [online] Available at: https://study.com/academy/lesson/edward-burne-jones-paintings-stained-glass-biography.html [Accessed 15 Jan. 2019]. Revolutionaryplayers.org.uk. (2019). The Burne-Jones Windows at St Philip's, Birmingham | Revolutionary Players. [online] Available at: https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/the-burnejones-windows-at-st-philips-birmingham/ [Accessed 15 Jan. 2019]. Philosophybasics.com. (2019). Modernism - By Movement / School - The Basics of Philosophy. [online] Available at: https://www.philosophybasics.com/movements_modernism.html [Accessed 15 Jan. 2019]. Birminghammuseums.org.uk. (2019). The Pre-Raphaelites | Museum & Art Gallery | Birmingham Museums . [online] Available at: http://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag/highlights/thepre-raphaelites [Accessed 15 Jan. 2019]. Victoria and Albert Museum. (2019). V&A · What was Modernism?. [online] Available at: https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/what-was-modernism [Accessed 15 Jan. 2019]. Tate. (2019). Modernism – Art Term | Tate . [online] Available at: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/m/modernism [Accessed 15 Jan. 2019] Waite, R. and Jessel, E. (2008). Birmingham's Brutalist library to be demolished. [online] Architects Journal. Available at: https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/birminghams-brutalist-libraryto-be-demolished/1799516.article [Accessed 11 Jan. 2019]. Wikivividly.com. (2019). John Ruskin - WikiVividly. [online] Available at: https://wikivividly.com/wiki/John_Ruskin [Accessed 15 Jan. 2019]. En.m.wikipedia.org. (2019). John Madin. [online] Available at: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Madin [Accessed 11 Jan. 2019]. Press, A. (2014). The Ruskin–Morris Connection | Anthem Press Blog. [online] Anthempressblog.com. Available at: http://www.anthempressblog.com/2014/09/25/the-ruskin-morris-connection/ [Accessed 15 Jan. 2019]. En.m.wikipedia.org. (2019). Birmingham Central Library. [online] Available at: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham_Central_Library [Accessed 11 Jan. 2019]. Tate. (2019). John Ruskin 1819-1900 | Tate . [online] Available at: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/john-ruskin-465 [Accessed 15 Jan. 2019]. En.m.wikipedia.org. (2019). Villa Savoye. [online] Available at: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_Savoye [Accessed 11 Jan. 2019]. 3
Modernism: Designing a New World , 2008
What is Modernism ? During the late 19th and early 20th century is when Modernism began following the years of world war one. Modernism is very complexed, it is a very important movement within all of architecture, art, design, literature and culture. The environment and the society we live in is shaped by modernism, from the buildings that we live in to the furniture that we use and the graphical designs surrounding us daily, these have all been created by “the aesthetic and ideology of modernist design�. Modernism is defined and used differently by everyone, modernism is actually something that was created in the past and influenced within the past but nowadays modernism is developed into different areas and aspects. Narrowing down or even defining what modernism is; is difficult because modernism is very broad. It is too vague of a topic to give it just a single definition. This is shown through a lot of books, journals and articles that discuss modernism; they freely use the term modernism but are unable to actually define it. Through detailed examination of the art created during 1914-1939 by architect Le Corbusier, designer Bauhaus, fine artist Piet Mondrian, Musician Arnold Schonberg and Literate James Joyce may enable us to find a common definition of the term.
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The Pre Raphaelites Movement The Pre–Raphaelites (1848-1854) were a secret society of seven young artists from poets, designers, English writers, illustrators and critics named William Holman Hunt, John Everett Millais, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. They were later joined by William Michael Rossetti, James Collinson, Frederic George Stephens and Thomas Woolmer and Edward Burne Jones and John William Waterhouse joined the group forming the ‘brotherhood’ (The British Library, 2018).
The Pre Raphaelites Painting made by Philip Ralley, 2013
Pre–Raphaelites consider themselves to be the reform movement. Pre–Raphaelites have also created their own persona and created a name for their artwork, they even as a way of promoting their work and ideas to the public created their own ‘Pre–Raphaelites journal’. When discussing the Pre–Raphaelites name, it came about because of the commitment to Raphael’s’ work. The Pre–Raphaelites wanted to make changes to art, and they did this by rejecting the ‘mechanism to approach’ supported by Mannerist artists. The Mannerist artists actually supported and followed
Raphael’s and Michelangelo’s work. The rejection of the mechanistic approach had an effect because it meant that the classical elements within Raphael’s and Michelangelo’s work were replaced. The Pre–Raphaelites believed that because of the ‘classical poses and elegant compositions’ within Raphael’s work it was creating a bad influence on the academic teaching of art, they believed it to be ‘corrupting’. The Pre–Raphaelites wanted to go back to abundant details, the use of intense vibrant colours, complex compositions of ‘Quattrocento Italian and Flemish art’ (Artinthepicture, 2013). The Pre-Raphaelites for inspiration mainly focused on Medieval and Early Renaissance art up to the 1500s instead of the art of the time (Study.com, 2018). The Connection Between The Pre Raphaelites, John Ruskin and William Morris : John Ruskin (1819-1900) is an English Critic amongst other professions such as an art patron. He wrote about architecture and literature within the Victoria era. John Ruskin argued that the ‘principal role of the artist is truth to nature’, from the 1850s John Ruskin supported and defended the PreRaphaelites; the Pre–Raphaelites really were influenced by John Ruskin’s Ideas, they associated their work with him (Ruskin, 2016). For example, Naturalism was something the Pre-Raphaelites were really committed to, the idea of just ‘painting from nature only’ painting nature in abundant detail was influenced by John Ruskin (WikiVividly, 2018). ‘John Ruskin and William Morris are both extremely influential figures of the arts and craft movement ‘when William Morris finished university he decide to move to London and this is where he became friends with the critic John Ruskin. In the 19th century they both introduced new ideas and different approaches to the design and to the decorative arts. William shared a belief that Ruskin had about the advantage of medieval craft, William Morris was really inspired by John Ruskin. William Morris formed a close relationship with The Pre-Raphaelites artists named Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Edward Burne Jones. William Morris and Jones went to the same university this is in order to enter the church; this is where they actually discovered the Pre-Raphaelites. Morris really reacted well to The Pre-Raphaelites artwork the visuals of it, the medievalism, bright colours and the strong sense of craftsmanship. The qualities that were discovered with The Pre –Raphaelites artwork were what actually inspired William Morris to become an architect and a designer.
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St Philip’s Cathedral Church Four Stained Glass Windows
The Four Stained Glass Windows in St Philips Cathedral located in Birmingham were designed by Burne Jones and created by William Morris and Co. and were influenced by John Ruskin. They represent the ‘Ascension – The Nativity, The Crucifixion and The Last Judgement’ and He wanted the windows to show the ‘humanity of Christ’ (Revolutionaryplayers, 2015).
I went to visit the Four Stained Glass Windows and I took some photographs and made a sketch of what I saw. The beautiful stained glass windows automatically introduce colour to the building, the windows provide a form of decoration to the cathedral with the intention of educating people about the story Jesus Christ merely through imagery and no words. As soon as I walked into the Cathedral the windows were automatically the centre of attention I was captured by the intricate detailing and the eye catching imagery which was portraying the story when I observed the windows closely I noticed the imagery seem to be made up of little shapes. When the light shone through the stained glass windows you all see all the multi vibrant colours wandering across the cathedral floor reflecting the imagery, it was simply stunning.
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Pen Sketch – Done by Sahra Ebohon
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The Bauhaus Movement The Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow
Designer / Maker : The piece was designed by Piet Mondrian 1872 -1944 is well known for doing abstract pieces. Name of piece : The Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow 1930 Why I like it : I like Mondrian’s piece because of the simplicity of his design and the good attention to detail. The painting is created on a small canvas, I like the basic colours used they are not over powering with a lot of bright colours he only uses the 3 primary colours red, blue and yellow with black bold lines to create his abstract art work. I like the composition of how the lines are placed vertically and horizontally to create the formation of many squares and rectangles of different sizes, the variation makes the painting look quite interesting. How does it manifest the Bauhaus Ethos : Piet Mondrian’s painting is influenced by the Bauhaus movement. This is because in the Bauhaus school of Design they taught the different compositions of colour more specifically about the primary colours red, blue and yellow which have been incorporated in Piet Mondrian’s painting. The Bauhaus school also taught about the simplicity of shapes and form which again is portrayed in Piet Mondrian’s painting, his work replicates the different elements that are taught in the school.
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The Bauhaus Movement The Bauhaus Building
Designer / Maker : It was founded by a German architect named Walter Gropius in 1919 in cooperation with his practice members Ernst Neufert and Carl Fieger. Name of Piece : The Bauhaus Building Why I like it : I like the building because of the aesthetic of the building. The design of the building façade is very simple it is very sleek and futuristic, it has a very modern architectural style because of the lack of decorative pieces the building design is very minimalistic, the use of excessive glass windows that are lined horizontally allowing there to be a connection between the outside and inside also the windows allowing for the concept of space to occur and are designed to form glass curtain walls, the use of very limited colours like greys and whites and the use of new and efficient materials. There is nothing about the building that is over top it is very simple yet astounding to look at. How does it manifest the Bauhaus Ethos : What was taught in the Bauhaus building were things that were actually applied to the actual building itself like the idea of minimality, shapes and colours in tune with functionality. The Bauhaus was greatly influenced by architecture however even though architecture was huge part of the building concept as its name was understood as the ‘School of Building’ and even the founder was an architect, the Bauhaus didn’t actually have an architecture department within the first years of its existence. In the Bauhaus they looked at sculptures and artistic designs to explore and understand the style and the students learned about simplicity, different geometric shapes, functionality and colours more specifically primary colours.
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The Bauhaus Movement The Wassily Chair
Designer / Maker : Marcel Breuer (1902 -1981) is a Hungarian Architect and furniture designer. Name of Piece : The Wassily Chair Why I Like it : I like this chair because of the uniqueness of the design, it is very unusual as it doesn’t look common to what an ordinary chair would look like. The chair looks more like a sculpture piece instead of an actual functional piece of furniture because of the way the chair is constructed, for example the way the legs are formed is very innovative they are joined together and seems as if it would be difficult to support a person when sitting on it, however, is it very aesthetically pleasing because it is different. I like how the design Is very simple and minimal and has that contemporary style because of the shapes and colours and materials used; Breuer used tubular steel. “The design combines the modern age aesthetic, so it seems like the chair is made from this day and age”.
How does this manifest the Bauhaus Ethos : The Wassily chair is associated with the Bauhaus movement. Marcel Breuer from 1920 to 1928, taught but prior to that he studied at the Bauhaus school of Design. This school showed that modern principles were applied to industrial and fine arts. In the Bauhaus school of design Breuer followed the lead of Walter Gropius (founder of the school) in supporting unit construction. In 1925, Breuer was inspired by the bicycle handlebars design, he designed the tubular metal chair known as the Wassily chair.
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The Bauhaus Movement Town House by Pitsou Architects
Contemporary Example of Bauhaus Town House by Pitsou Architects. This house is good example to show the contemporary Bauhaus movement. This six storey residential building located in Israel, the building has white exterior walls and large windows framed black, the Town House has suspended floors within the interior, the use of suspended floors makes the levels which are connected to the black staircase made from steel much more open this modern, the staircase in its self is a “architectural centrepiece� because when you climb the stairs to the top floor you are able to have an amazing view of the city. The town also accommodate a green garden and a blue pool, the house represents the Bauhaus style.
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Capitol Buildings Chandigarh India 1955 - 1957 By Anum, Keti, Sahra, Keisha and Ocean
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History Chandigarh is the capital of the two states of Punjab and Haryana, being a massive tourist attraction of India. The city is now located on a slightly sloping plain, which originally was a wide lake ringed by a marshland, inhabited by the Harappans, around 8000 years ago. After the separation of India and Pakistan in 1947, the state of Punjab was also split into two, belonging to each of them. The initial plan was to add certain places to the existing place, but due to infeasibility of the plan, a new capital city was created. The Government of India planned to utilize an area covering 114.59sq.km, at the Shivalik hills, in the Ropar district of Punjab, giving Chandigarh it’s rise as the capital city of Punjab. Jawaharlal Nehru, PM of India at the time, described it as “unfettered by the traditions of the past, a symbol of nations faith in future” Master plan was developed by American architect planner Albert Mayer and Polish born architect Mathew Nowicki. In 1951, Le Corbusier took over Nowicki after his death, operating the task of the layout and design of Chandigarh. In March 1948, the site requirements were approved from the Government of Punjab; having it located on the border of both Punjab and Haryana, although it was only in 1966 that Chandigarh was declared the capital of Haryana as well. Function In 1947, during the time of the Partition Pakistan was cut out of Chandigarh Tour Western Punjab at this time Lahore was the capital but Lahore went to the other side. Because of this Punjab which is located in India was left without a capital of its own. The function/purpose of Chandigarh was to be this new capital city for Punjab, which was created by Le Corbusier. The New city consisted of their own residential and shopping areas, wide streets, roads and cycle lanes and trees planted and spread all around. In 1966, Haryana was then cut out of Eastern Punjab, Haryana was cut out in order to separate the Punjab’s from the Hindis. This then made the Chandigarh a union territory and also the capital of both states. Material The Chandigarh building is all made up of rough casting concrete, but the Open Hand sculpture is made from metal sheets it was hand casted. The use of concrete to make the Chandigarh Capital building was very beneficial concrete is very strong, it is a material that is able to withstand a lot of strength, so the construction of the building would not need many columns or support within the interior of the building. Concrete is very durable, it is able to withstand the different weather conditions, temperature levels and climate change in India as the material does not rot or rust or burn making it long lasting in comparison to other materials. Concrete is able to retain and absorb heat, so the material is energy efficient. Concrete can be moulded into different ways to create a variety of different shapes and patterns.
Construction The building is made up of 3 buildings and 4 monument buildings it is overall approximately 250 metres long. The Jawan Haryana High Court (height is 8 metres) – This Building has 3 entrance columns and portico walls which are painted in 3 different colours (red, yellow and blue) making them easily distinguished. The High court also have sun breakers which help to stop the direct sunlight and protect the building. The high court has a double roof which shades the rest of the building. • The Governor’s Palace (height Is 15 metres) – The Governor’s Palace is split into 2 parts, which hold the Punjab’s on the left side and the Haryana on the right side. The building has a gate placed in front named the Governor’s gate it can only be accessed every 2 years. This building also has sun breakers. • The Assembly Hall – The hall consists of a desk which is for reporters to use, a balcony which includes seats, the Governor’s chair, the council members seats and also abstracted designs in the interior celling’s, which are placed there for a purpose of being acoustic absorbers. • The Open Hand Monument (height 26 metres) – The sculpture is approximately 56 tons in weight. It rotates in the wind and it is constructed in the shape if a ‘dove’. The open space created underneath the sculpture is meant for the Governor to carry out meetings and speeches, it is constructed in a way that does not require a microphone for speeches as the four walls reverb sound. • The tower of Shadows Monument (height 12 metres) – the purpose of this building is to test out the sun breakers before they were constructed on the buildings. It was supposed to experiment with the sun shading. It is built so that the building is facing the north side and constructed with exposed concrete. • The Geometric Hills (height 5 metres) – The building is constructed using exposed concrete tiles and was constructed suing the buildings waste materials that was left over, the angle and degree of the slop is 30 degrees • Martyrs’ Memorial- The Martyrs Memorial was planned for Martyrs in the freedom struggle. Corbusier was supposed to have sculptures and debris section as the memorial was meant to be constructed between the Assembly Hall and the High Court building in 1956. With a little distant to from the Geometric hills. 13 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWqgxj5KN88
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Italian Modernism Giorgio de Chirico
Mystery and Melancholy of a Street 1914
Giorgio de Chirico Piazza d’Italia 1913
Giorgio de Chirico (1888 – 1978) is an Italian artist and writer. He is best known for his painting that he created within the time period between 1909 to 1919 the metaphysical period, this Is where his work portrayed brooding and haunted moods. With regards to his paintings ‘Giorgio de Chirico Piazza d’Italia 1913’ and ‘Mystery and Melancholy of a Street 1914’. He as very much influenced by surrealism. He founded the “Scuola Metafisica Art Movement” which is also very much influenced by surrealist artists such as, Rene Magritte and Salvador Dali. Giorgio de Chirico is most famous for the moods he creates in his painting such as the eerie mood that is portrayed in his work and the strange artificiality of the cityscapes that he creates. He doesn’t look at scenes as though they are normal conventional cityscapes he instead looks at them as images that contain an atmosphere of “melancholy and uneasy menace” which is something we may encounter in dreams like claustrophobic dreamscapes. In the Mystery and Melancholy of a Street 1914 painting he was trying to communicate and show isolated figures which were scaled quite small, desolated classical statues. When looking at his work I noticed that the figures are very much overpowered by their own dark shadows and by the extremely large and oppressive architecture that surrounds them which portrays that haunted image. In the Piazza d’Italia 1913 painting he was trying to communicate and show a similar haunted image through a dull and faded atmosphere because the painting includes small figures that are also overpowered by their own shadows and by the extremely large scaled, gloomy architecture that neighbours them. In the painting there seems to be over exaggerated streets and squares, dark arcades and colonnades, monuments and statues. Within Europe an outbreak of World War 1 took place during 1914 so Giorgio de Chirico returned to Italy where he is from and continued to paint and then he was later transferred back to Rome in 1918
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Italian Modernism Aldo Rossi
Aldo Rossi L’architettura della città 1966 Aldo Rossi (1931 – 1997) is an Italian architect and Theoretician. Aldo Rossi L’architettura della città 1966 (The architecture of the City) is a book about an urban design theory, the book demonstrates the change from the urban theory of modernism to the re discovery of traditional European city. In the book he makes critiques on the lack of understanding that the people have shown towards Italy within the current architectural practice. Aldo Rossi argues that “a city must be studied and valued as something constructed over time; of particular interest are urban artefacts that withstand the passage of time”. He believes and discusses that the city Italy remembers its past and it remembers how it began and we individuals remember the memory of the city through the monuments it has, as they give structure to the city. Aldo Rossi was appreciated for his contributions that he had made to the architectural theory, his contributions actually evolved from the influence of the architect and theorist Adolf Loos and surrealist painter Giorgio De Chirico. Aldo Rossi and Giorgio De Chirico both did numerous drawings and paintings. When looking at both of their works they both use similar colour schemes and tones. Chirico work is a lot neater and the colours used are much more vibrant. Rossi’s work isn’t very neat it seems quite messy but it still looks put together he drawing style seems to be quite sketchy drawings compared to Chirico’s whose does more detailed drawings. Rossi focuses a lot more on architecture buildings in his work that seems to be the main subject of his drawings while as, Chirico adds different objects to his work in addition to the architectural buildings such as, statues and people figures. Both of their work shows how the city was both felt and experienced. They both view the city from the same point of view as they both tried to show the changes that were made in modern Italy through the “conflict of tradition in modernity”. They both pursued a similar direction with their type of drawing as they both used deep dark shadows and distorted perspectives, they showed a new way for individuals to view a city.
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Manifesto And Avant Garde
There is a strong relationship between arts and politics specifically with the different kinds of arts and power that occurs across the historical period and cultures. Art responds to politics and events that occur and exist at the same period of time. Art can take on both political and social dimensions it is starting to become a focus of controversy and even a force that will help bring political as well as social change to the world. I believe art and architecture can and should respond to politics. I feel like artists should be more political they should be able to address politics more directly within their artwork. In this time period we are living in things are becoming extremely bad and it has even become quite difficult to watch the news on TV. Politics should also be incorporated in contemporary art by portraying the horrible imagery that occurs in our time. Art should reflect as well as engage with the society, it should be relevant to what is going on currently, it should be able to inform the public about what’s actually going on.
The fight to save women's right and gender equality to help bring fairness and equality to the workplace, so that females get the same success, the same recognition the same respect, the same treatment as men , they shouldn’t be treated any different.
Manifesto Action Points: 1.Equality 2.Sexism 3.Rights 4.Discrimination 5.Separation 6.Rejection 7.Difference 8. Inequality 9. Identity
Political Situation: Dorte Mandrup is fighting for women’s rights and gender equality, she stated “I am not a female architect, I am an architect”. She believes that female architects shouldn’t be labelled and promoted as such because it makes them more like “second hand citizens” she is worthy of putting her work in exhibitions and gender doesn’t need to be placed or identified. She believes that gender is what dominates the architectural field and It makes it difficult for females to be as successful in the sector as females work seems to be more over looked and underrated. “New York Design Festival, Eggs Collective’s empowering exhibition brought together the work of 15 female designers to benefit a local charity project. At Design Days Dubai entrepreneurial women are shaping Middle Eastern Design scene. At Dutch Design Week the exhibition Internet of Women Things suggests that tech-products designed by women are more user friendly.” (Archipanic.com, 2017)
Manifesto Action Points: 1.Equality 2.Sexism 3.Rights 4.Discrimination 5.Separation 6.Rejection 7.Difference 8. Inequality 9. Identity
Avant Garde Video Interview Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRNjtN7QL9g&feature=youtu.be 20
Critical Regionalism
Barcelona Pavilion Mies Van Der Rohe 1923
Le Corbusier Villa Savoye 1931
Regional Modernism is architecture that makes use of the common regional forms and the materials at a specific place and specific time. Usually modest, the modest have a mixture of different traditional and modern styles. Critical regionalism is an approach to architecture that’s intention is to counter the placelessness and the lack of identity of the international style but it however, also rejects the usual whimsical individualism and embellishment of postmodern architecture. Le Corbusier and his cousin Pierre Jeanneret designed the Villa Savoye between 1928 and1931, it is a modernist villa that is located in Paris, France. It was made using reinforced concrete. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe designed the Barcelona Pavilion in 1923, it was created in Barcelona Catalonia, Spain. The pavilion is an idea zone of tranquillity for visitors who would like to experience a type of visual attraction. It was made from marble, steel, chrome and glass.
When looking at both buildings I see that they both are influenced by the modernist style and are contemporary looking buildings. They both use similar shapes, such as rectangles for the facade of the building and they don’t have decorations their designs are simple and minimalistic. They both use a few colours but the Barcelona Pavilion has more colours, textures and patterns, it is isn’t limited like the villa to just white, the Pavilion uses whites greys and browns that come from the type of materials that are used. They both have pillars/poles incorporated into the design of the building both made from glass lined horizontally. But there are some differences in materials the Pavilion building uses additional materials that the villa doesn’t such as marble, steel and chrome.
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Birmingham City Library
Birmingham City Library, 1974-2013
Library of Birmingham, 2016
The old Birmingham city library was the main public library in Birmingham, England since 1974 to 2013, it was later replaced with the new library; “library of Birmingham” after it was demolished in 2016 it was standing for 41 years. The old Birmingham city library was designed by John Madin (1924-2012) he an English architect who creates work in a brutalist style.
Reasons for demolishing: In order for the council to create a “long view “It was said by Madin that they want to demolish it so that they can “sell the land for commercial development just to make profit”. The council leader Mike Whitby described the old library as a “blockage” that is taking up space and that needs to be removed to make way. Minster Margaret Hodge stated that the library didn’t have enough historical or architectural value for the public to be standing, so it should be removed. Reasons to save: The English heritage applied twice (2002 and 2007) for the library to be listed however Minster Margaret Hodge refused the applications. World Monuments Fund in 2011 included the library on its watch list stating that the buildings had value were it was sited, it bought a sense of monumental to the British urban landscape and would remain architectural icons, but it was still up for demolition. Friends of the Central Library presented an alternative plan to the council which retained the library at the centre of the paradise circus scheme. They argued that library could be used for alternative things and demolishing it after 40 years would go against all the principles of sustainability. A new appreciation for the library began when the council announced their plan of demolition, this movement to save the library was led by writers and artists of the 1960s generation because they grew up with the library.
But despite all of this the Birmingham city council was against it so the battle was lost and they decided to go ahead with the demolitions. I understand people where not happy with the idea of the library being demolished. It was argued that the old Birmingham city library needed to still exist as demolition would take away the importance of the building and get rid of the value that it had where is was sited, it bought a sense of monumental to the British urban landscape and would remain an architectural icon and demolishing it would go against all principles of sustainability. But the council did not accept their tries to save it, they believed that the building doesn’t have enough architectural or historical value to be listed so that it can be kept standing, so they went ahead and demolished it to make space for a new replacement.
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Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright Falling water Residence 1935 Frank Lloyd Wright would “like to have free architecture”, “architecture that belongs to where you see it standing – and is a grace to the landscape instead of a disgrace”. Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) creates modern architecture that has numerous iconic buildings, he has an organic and distinctly American style. His work focuses on simplicity and natural beauty this was a contrast to the types of architecture that surrounding Europe. Frank Lloyd believed that buildings should actually have a purpose to “honour and enhance the natural beauty of the landscapes that surround them”, he felt as though the buildings should have a connection with outside. Frank Lloyd Wright when he was younger spent time exploring the Wisconsin landscape he recalled that “the modelling of the hills, the weaving and fabric that clings to them, the look of it all in tender green or covered with snow or in full glow of summer that bursts into the glorious blaze of autumn, I still feel myself as much a part of it as the trees and birds and bees are, and the red barns.” I believe his love for nature the idea of associating landscape with architecture stemmed from here. Falling water Residence 1935 (South Western Pennsylvania): This home is strongly associated with its landscape there is a definite connection with the home and its surroundings. The home is described as “Shockley original and astonishingly beautiful”. The home has a series of cantilevered balconies and terraces which were constructed on top of the waterfall. It being placed on the waterfall makes them feel really free and connected to their landscape. I believe it that Lloyd wanted the people to be one with their surroundings, to feel connected, to feel a part of their landscape. He didn’t want to create a home that seemed isolated and discounted from where it is located.
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TRANSCULTURAL SPACE Libraries
A library is a transcultural space, this is because it is a space where people from all over world coming from different cultures are able to gather together. A library isn’t discriminatory its not only for certain types of people , anyone is welcome to come along and read, learn and discover at the library it doesn’t matter where they are from or how they were raised all is able to enter. Also within libraries people are able to learn about different cultures, they are able to discover and understand more about the different ethnicities and cultures that are out there as a library hold loads of multicultural resources that are available to the public on a daily basis. This shows that they are welcoming to the idea of enabling people no matter what culture they come from to learn and discover by informing them about the different cultures out there through a range of different resources such as, books and online resources helping them gain knowledge The library is a multi cultural social space, some libraries even have multi cultural programs, centres, rooms and societies helping people know more about their own and other peoples cultures and giving people the chance to meet other people of different cultures. This shows that libraries are a good example of a transcultural space.
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