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

Confidences

Moulin de St-Loup

Chez Soi

We will be able to rebuild

Naples Walk

A Bright Day on the Mystic

Boat House,

Presby Gardens (Plein Air)

Réappropriation5

Les amies

Balcony

Lines and Curves

Cables in concert

The tower is an iron lace

Ancient architects

Printemps en Lauragais

Downtown Study I

Orange Factory

Jerusalem

Venice

Prague

Marne-la-Vallée

Winter

Morning Star

Golden baths

Beyond the bars Chicago IL

Leaning tower of pizza Chicacago IL

Copper sky Chicago IL

Two flags east noir Chicago IL

Barbershop back in business Chicago IL

Pipe Plant M Linkman Pipe Co Chicago IL

Ryabushki village and church

Summer day

Bleu Fira

Morning in Venice

Yoyogi 2nd Gymnasium

Raven's Pueblo

Evening sea sunset

Brooklyn

Théâtre

MP096

Unforgettable Paris

Élévation

Élévation

The thaw

Spring sun

Manhattanhenge

Golden Light

Residence

Autumn in the courtyard, Painting, Oil on canvas

On the road again

Quartier de l'Albacin, Grenade

Uno strano cocktail

Skiers in St Moritz

Le phare

Box I

La Cour Damoye

Arbol Objeto

Urban Sacré-Coeur

Arrival in Venice

Stopped time III

Temple Ryoan-Ji

MP052

Animalism 5

Way to the church

Quay. Uzhhorod