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

The Bridge

Paris 1975, ile de la cité

Petita casa-moll

Morning chime

Réveil à l'Institut de France

Psychedelic Portal - 21st Century, Contemporary, Geometric Abstract, Interior

Sixth Floor

Divergent paths #7

Tchernobyl

Clouds over the Tay Rail Bridge

Au musée

Cubos Transparencia 2 (Framed)

Lookout

Whimsical Cat Surrealist Artwork

Fish Market is Closed

Magritte

The perfect blue Chicago IL

In The Shdow of a Veil

Shizuoka Press & Broadcasting Centre, Ginza

N-0,043

Ibrid Cracovia

Calvary

Twilight in Amsterdam

Madrid-1

No Windowsill

Utopia serves us to walk

Les Remparts

Motel

Distorted Landscape 2

Cine Avaroa

Garden of the Soul

La porte rouge

École de Salsa Cienfuegos Cuba

Marine à Sète

Hollands Canal Face with Figs

Dimore

Memory 2

Help is near

Illuminated

Composition

Paris Scene 01

Knole House

Les immortelles de Jean

Radius

Noise of City Series

Time Vibrations

La combi

Chicago

Untitled 1

Appartment

In The Shadow of a Veil

Frida's Studio

Afghanistan

Neige sua Paris - Snow on Paris

Chemin entre les mazots et vue sur le Cervin

The Way Home 1

Petit chemin et barque bleue

Untitled

Le Musset, Paris - Limited Edition Print

Vince II

Tripe 12

Borough Station 1

Hôtel joyeux, Amboise

Ledenon

Juice bar

Les chats