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

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

The Lullaby Of Prague

Old & New Taipei

Taipei Main Station Area

La belle époque

Jerry's L QU, 2019

House No.2

XXI 19 021 36

Paysage de neige à Chaîne d'Or, Haute Savoie

Bright Snow on the West Mountain

Window of Opportunity

LES PETITES FAVELAS

Ideal Power Vienna

Le gardien du désert salé

White evening

Spring surprises

L’île Saint-louis

Réappropriation 13

Scottsdale Home

Poolside Poodle

Poolside Backgammon

Desert House Party

Poolside Ladies

Poolside Ladies

Horizon B3

MP170

Home Sweet Home

LE REFUGE

Vieille rue de Lourmarin

Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue

Stories #3

Stories #1

Tropics

Smart

Planète Mars

L'aube

Purple sky

La nocturne

L'arbre bleu

Petit matin d'été

La Maison sur la Plage

Beyond the door

La pelota

Portxo II

Barques dans le port d'Ajaccio

At home

Villa in Nice

Rothschild Villa in France

The ghosts of the Louvre pyramid

Church

London Brightness

Petit souvenir d'Orient

Take Two and Call Me in the Morning

NYC

Unlearn

Blue House Totem

Maria Cornejo and Mark Borthwick in Brooklyn

Skiing Waitress

UN TEMPS POUR SOI

Traverse Fleurie à Mykonos

Magné, été indien sur la Sèvres

Street of Heroes of Stalingrad