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

Parisian Night Glow

Poolside Dreams

Poolside Host

Poolside Socialites

Near the traffic light

Spring in Foy

Evening Mont Saint Michel

Untitled. From The Durero Series

Soft yellow window

New York City Silver

Moonshine in spring

This is the season of the witch

River in winter

Windy autumn

Greek beach window

Hotel by the lake

Reading from above

Mirror of vibrance

Dream of sea and color

The Fiddler On The Roof

Fifth Avenue

Abstract city

Dans la cité de Riomaggiore. de nuit Cinque Terre. Italie

Riomaggiore. Cinque Terre. Italie 2

Cinque terre. Riomaggiore. Italie

Abandoned room

Castle walls

Le jardin oublié IV

Le Panthéon (vue de la rue Valette)

Une histoire de toits 1

Castellans, triptych

Italian street of Korcula. Croatia

On boats through the city streets

Pink corner

Eenie Meenie Miney

Solo lamp

Closed for now

Red House in Yerevan

Mediterrain facade

Balconies on a row

Sunset reflections

Home gardener

Reflections

There is always a dog barking somewhere

Blooming

Unlearn

Untitled

Les fleurs respirent la nuit

Cabanes bleue

Season of Renewal

Ruin Houses

Floating City of Dreams

The Lullaby Of Prague

Old & New Taipei

Taipei Main Station Area

La belle époque

Jerry's L QU, 2019

Ponte Lungo

House No.2

XXI 19 021 36

Paysage de neige à Chaîne d'Or, Haute Savoie

Bright Snow on the West Mountain

Window of Opportunity

LES PETITES FAVELAS

Fonster

Le gardien du désert salé