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

Mirror of vibrance

Dream of sea and color

On the way to the light

LE REFUGE

Petra, le trésor immergé

Castle walls

Le Panthéon (vue de la rue Valette)

L'aube

Purple sky

La nocturne

L'arbre bleu

Petit matin d'été

Crépuscule aux Arènes 2

Une histoire de toits 1

Urban Girl

Royal Hawaiian motel 2 (XL)

Royal Hawaiian motel 2 (L)

Royal Hawaiian motel 1 (XL)

Royal Hawaiian motel 1 (L)

Vele di scampia (XL)

Vele di scampia (L)

White evening

Spring surprises

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

Afterglow

Lithographie Le Pont Neuf

Blooming

Jerry's L QU, 2019

Blue roofs 22

Unlearn

Blue House Totem

Old mill in spring

At home

L'Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped, by Day

L'Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped, by Night

Cabanes bleue

Season of Renewal

Ruin Houses

Floating City of Dreams

My village in winter

Old village in my countryside

Night on the Great Wall

Old & New Taipei

Taipei Main Station Area

Hudson River NY

Overlay

La belle époque

London Brightness

Energie

NYC

Story abaot the red sky

XXI 19 021 36

Paysage de neige à Chaîne d'Or, Haute Savoie

Cafe in the Favela

Window of Opportunity

Le gardien du désert salé

Barca

Scottsdale Home

Poolside Poodle

Poolside Backgammon