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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Subcategories

Architecture

Deep in Mind

Lost World No.2

Blossom

Bright Snow on the West Mountain

Propitious

Le Mont Saint-Michel

L'arche (rouge)

Caravane abandonnée sur l'île de Skye

Fonster

La maison bleue 2

Claustre de Tarragona

The Festival Village

Osmose Bande De 1 N2

Prick the sky with the needles of an autumn tree

Door to infinity #5

La statue de la liberté

Andres Alsina in Paris

Porte

Cafe in France

Burn-out au paradis.

National Theatre & Reflection

N° 1183 Ile d'Aix. Façade Nord de l'église abbatiale.

Celebration No.5

Fareweel

N° 1166 Rochefort. Allée Paul Guimard.

N° 1080 Budapest 2. Széchenyi Lànchid A.

Sunset & Vine Billboard

Memories

Soleil entrant

Perspective

Souvenirs de Sofia

Le lac majeur

Cottages

Moonlit Silence

La Rochelle

Capital

Spring in my countryside - Vresse

Winter in my countryside

Old village in my countryside - Sosoye

An old village

Chassepierre village in my countryside

A village in my countryside 8724 Louette

Les Chevaliers du Temple

Snow on my village

Untitled

Venise

Canal de Burano

A hint at the Middle ages

My village in autumn

Old farm

Spring in my countryside

A midautumn's dream

Snowy village

MP096

The Franks' balcony

Vers Saint Georges

Garden Party

"Vue sur les toits " vue 10

Monaco, Port Hercules

Oasis

Hong kong focus I

Un soir à Paris

Disorder

Genets sauvages

White Paris blanc La Tour Eiffel et La Seine 1966 Eiffel Tower and Seine River

Untitled 12