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!

Search by Image

Save your search and find it in your favorites

16/100 1 10 14 15 16 17 18 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Categories

Subcategories

Architecture

La tour de Baobabel

Amsterdam

Winter

Destino

On the cloud No.2

Stories #2

Love in the tropics

Dream Builder

Exploded View

Jr (1983) - JR au Louvre, 29 Mars 2019, 19H45

Circular

Inagawa AM

Inagawa

An interior by Joseph Dirand

Filtre à café #155

Vertige, l'escalier magique 1908 / Vertigo, Magic Staircase 1908

This is Los Angeles (M)

Royal Hawaiian motel 2 (M)

Royal Hawaiian motel 1 (M)

Vele di scampia (M)

Ayutthaya

Santorini

Mediterranean street

Italian street of Korcula. Croatia

L'escalier du château

Hommage à Hopper

28 mm, Face 2 Face, Separation Wall, Security fence, Palestinian side, Bethlehem, 2007

Abandoned House

Paysage tagué

Sun rising on Camden market

Greek facade

Incoming weather

Home gardener

Red balcony

Format #660

Osmose 06,1

Siesta

The prospect of rest

Brooklyn bridge

Dream City

Family holiday

Ruins of civilization

New York en pleine lumière du soir et ses reflets

Street in Santorini

Les docks de Port Barcarès.

Dans les ruelles de Monterosso. Cinque terre. Italie

Light in the street

Factory stacks (Earth First)

Desnos-Nerval 2001

Little Island New York

Woman in City Rain Elegy

Khor Virap

Les collines de Niassam 2. Sénégal. Afrique

Prussian Twilight

The Marina of the Marmaris

Modest Mouse The Lonesome Crowded - West Tower

Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey

2012P3116

Suburban Pressure

Ladder

Glass Houses

Strada Rosa

Ouessant - série bord de mer

Pas 02.23

Urban_Mirrors_Frankfurt_023

Emmène-moi