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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Architecture

City on the water

Blooming Haven

Intercession Church

N° 1104 Belgrade 1. Le coup de foudre.

N° 1103 Vukovar : l'émotion.

N° 1102 Prague 7. Quartier Josefov.

N° 1172. Rochefort. Carré des officiers de l'Hermione.

N° 1171. Rochefort. Corderie royale et fontaine de l'Amiral.

N° 1170 Rochefort. Un certain carrefour.

N° 1169 Rochefort. le musée de la Marine

Encrucijadas y revelaciones

Le passage

Palacio de Cristal Nevado

Metrópolis azul

Metropolis

Majorelle #31

Courtesan

La pyramide

Soñé que despertaba

Rosas pa tu pelo

Haussmannien

Guildhalls _ het Broodhuis

NYC radioFM

Menudo jaleo

CityCité

Nocturne d'un port industriel

NYC, matinée brouillard

Promenade à Ostende

Pollution lumineuse

Winter evening

White Night

Village lane

Cold evening with hot tea

Il futuro

Il presente

Il passato

Le alte mura

Struttura del tempo

Eur Roma

Flora of Borobudur temple.

Temple lotus. Colorful.

Under the Olive Tree (ready to hang)

Caballito de mar, caballito de rayas y una adorable raya

Tengo cosas que contarte

Bivouac: s'echapper

Le dos de Notre Dame

203R0941

The promenade of memories

Retour à la caverne, acte I, collage, Paris, 2023

The bay's radiance

Gentle evening in Venice

Beautiful day in Venice

Autumn tale

Merry bridge

Summer day

This blue dream

Les amants imaginaires

Temple in Kyoto

Apartments

Pause musicale

Girl power

Green striped wall

Lonely balcony

Yellow wall with lamp

Tower of power

La porte de Merzouga