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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Categories

Subcategories

Architecture

Le miroir d'eau

Favorite London.

Yomeimon of Toshogu

Three Houses on Black

Paysage tagué

Pre-Morocco

Village I

Le patio Majorelle

Symphonie Urbaine

Comme un miroir III

Industrial Construction

Roses and Rooftops

Fusion Urbaine

Cabanes sur le quai

Cabanes Hautes

Erosion in Time Square

Cabanes en vue

Cabanavoile

Ryabushki village and church

Summer day

Breeze of Summer

Quartier Latin

Companyes

Eco City

100th Anniversary Celebration Coffret # 8 - Bargain

Buldin 2

Jerusalem IVº

Gate

On Wellington Street, Toronto

Absis Seriegrafia

The Red Ballerina

Message codé ?

Lake Como

En attente

Grand Canal. Venice

Memories of Past

Lac gelé

The Bright Sun Of Winter.

Cathédrale Saint Julien Le Mans

Place de l'Etoile

Corridor of Cram School

Oasis

Le pont

Village de Saint Florent. Cap Corse

Passage sur cour

Passage coloré

Passage en décalé

Pastel Marocain

Mur pastel du Maroc

Mur d'affiche et tags

Disque de frein. Rouille

Maison et brume. Canada

Biarritz. Océan. France

Grand Canyon du Colorado. Amérique du Nord

Jodhpur la Bleu. Inde

Sur les rives du Gange. Bénares. Inde

Atlas et Kasbah. Maroc

Kasbha du pacha el Glaoui. Télouet 2. Maroc

Architecture et voûte vénitienne.

Arènes de Nîmes à Noel. France

Architecture népalaise. Katmandou. Népal

Déambulation Vénitienne. Venise

Palais vénitien. Italie

Grand canal. Venise et son architecture

Chapelle en Bretagne

Chapelle en Bretagne