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

Ombrage au Lac

Valangin Portail

Bath time, Vacation on the Happy Island serie

On the way to the light

Vue sur les toits. Vue 16

Vue sur les toits. Vue 15

Petra, le trésor immergé

Italian town

Le jardin oublié III

Lyon 2070

Vue sur les toits (Vue 6)

Home Town

New-York X

New-York VIII

Cinquecento

OW1.08

Silence No.10

The Snowy Old Town Square

The Snowy Dream Of Maisel Synagogue

Au-delà 15

Blue Roof

Greek facade

Incoming weather

Red balcony

Reed Roof Barn

In the front yard

Farm

Magnolia Mill

Abandoned

Vindicator

Gates

Insider

Beginning of the Day

River Side

The Barn

Porte de San Miguel

Vue sur les toits - vue 11

Campos

Orange Building, 2019

Notre Dame Monochrome

Fog in L.A

Disorder

The Gallery

Chair

Notre-Dame d'Amiens "La Pourpre"

Tokyo

Air de Paris

N°1151

Garni Pagan Temple

Tatev Monastery

Sanctuary in Stone

The Golden Sunrise Of Prague

Boat in the city port

Ships in the port

Moored boat

"A ship at sea" - series Fishing boats

"Early morning in the city" - series Denia

"Mirror street of the city" - series Denia

"City streets" - series Denia

Piazza venezia Roma

Collection Bleu d'été - Junior suite Sea View

Sleepy Village

Lanterns Bonanza in Osaka

Around the Shepard Bush

Flowers by the sea

Courtyard in Greece