Architecture

Art and architecture share many similarities. They've influenced one another throughout history. However, trying to liken these two disciplines will inevitably lead to certain contractions.

Perhaps the biggest difference is that Art, in its broadest sense, is defined as a creation meant to trigger an emotional response which is generally related to aesthetic pleasure. It doesn't satisfy any of life's basic needs, but it leads to thoughts, reflections, and often taps into our subconscious and our memory. On the other hand, architecture's primary purpose is to shelter individuals and ensure their safety. Architecture is meant to serve a utilitarian purpose.

Today, architecture has gone far beyond this initial function. Architects have strived to combine engineering and aesthetic research to create buildings that are so out of the ordinary we wonder how they were designed. They want their creations to stand out and favour originality and creativity. Just like in arts, architecture is influenced by the historical, social, and political context of the time and each movement has its own characteristics, from baroque to futurism to Bauhaus. Modern architecture marked a turn in the history of architecture. Architects revolutionised the social scope of their discipline and took an industrialist approach to society and nature — avant-garde architects rubbed shoulders with artists such as Georges Braque, Piet Mondrian, and members of the De Stijl group. Le Corbusier is a pioneer in collective housing, and also took part in ambitious projects which aimed to rebuild entire cities, such as Chandigarh in India. Decorative arts also developed by taking inspiration from the conventions that governed modernist architecture.

Contemporary architecture might not be a specific movement per se, but buildings that fall into this category share certain attributes. Contemporary architecture is characterised by curvy lines and various volumes in a single structure, as seen with the Sydney Opera House. The architect Jørn Utzon explained that he didn't seek to create a building for this project, but an actual sculpture. The building continually renews itself with new meanings and experiences for each passerby. Architectural works often require periods of deep reflection and a long though process in order for the architect to envisage how to give their building a sense of character and soul.

Whether architecture is an art or not is a never ending debate, but it is undeniable that there are strong links between the two disciplines. There are many examples of collaborations between contemporary artists and architects, and today the works of the greatest architects are exhibited in museums along with their fellow artists.

Discover our selections of artworks inspired by art and architecture!

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Print, Sans titre, Shirley Jaffe

Shirley Jaffe

Print - 64.5 x 51 cm Print - 25.4 x 20.1 inch

$3,316 $2,985

Print, Majorelle, Marie Deforche

Marie Deforche

Print - 40 x 60 x 0.2 cm Print - 15.7 x 23.6 x 0.1 inch

$185

Print, Cui-Cui, Bault

Bault

Print - 70 x 50 cm Print - 27.6 x 19.7 inch

$111

Print, Soviet, Jibé

Jibé

Print - 40 x 30 cm Print - 15.7 x 11.8 inch

$123

Print, Cite Interdite, Yakes

Yakes

Print - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Print - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

$369

Print, Untitled, Vicent Ferrer

Vicent Ferrer

Print - 45 x 32 cm Print - 17.7 x 12.6 inch

$369

Print, Relic, Vhils

Vhils

Print - 70 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch

$2,325

Print, La Pyramide, JR

JR

Print - 60 x 80 x 2 cm Print - 23.6 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

$1,587

Print, Museo ad hoc, Ugo Nespolo

Ugo Nespolo

Print - 75 x 170 x 0.1 cm Print - 29.5 x 66.9 x 0 inch

$1,157

Print, Bandiera, Tino Stefanoni

Tino Stefanoni

Print - 50 x 70 x 0.1 cm Print - 19.7 x 27.6 x 0 inch

$529

Print, Venise, Philippe Geluck

Philippe Geluck

Print - 80 x 60 cm Print - 31.5 x 23.6 inch

$221

Print, La solitude, Peter Klasen

Peter Klasen

Print - 50 x 70 x 0.2 cm Print - 19.7 x 27.6 x 0.1 inch

$492

Print, New Moon, Jason Alexander

Jason Alexander

Print - 58.4 x 43.2 x 5.1 cm Print - 23 x 17 x 2 inch

$800

Print, Sea Side, Jason Alexander

Jason Alexander

Print - 40.6 x 30.5 x 5.1 cm Print - 16 x 12 x 2 inch

$800

Print, Lady Liberty, LeRoy Neiman

LeRoy Neiman

Print - 80 x 66.5 x 0.2 cm Print - 31.5 x 26.2 x 0.1 inch

$3,076

Print, Fiori e museo, Ugo Nespolo

Ugo Nespolo

Print - 100 x 180 x 0.1 cm Print - 39.4 x 70.9 x 0 inch

$1,218

Print, Notre Dame, Patrick Marie

Patrick Marie

Print - 49 x 70 x 0.1 cm Print - 19.3 x 27.6 x 0 inch

$196

Print, Pont Marie, Patrick Marie

Patrick Marie

Print - 49 x 70 x 0.1 cm Print - 19.3 x 27.6 x 0 inch

$196

Print, 5 pagliai, Tino Stefanoni

Tino Stefanoni

Print - 60 x 170 x 0.1 cm Print - 23.6 x 66.9 x 0 inch

$1,276

Print, Roxy, Diana Christensen

Diana Christensen

Print - 86.4 x 61 x 5.1 cm Print - 34 x 24 x 2 inch

$950

Print, Cité Interdite, Yakes

Yakes

Print - 60 x 40 cm Print - 23.6 x 15.7 inch

$246

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