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

Disorder

Untitled

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

The Birth of Sculpture

Ulysse

Arco de Chuchilleros, Madrid

The flying Dutchman opera

Elevations - Paysage imaginaire et architecture

In Venice

MP052

Lighthouse

Dramatic Sunset Over Berlin

Textured landscape

Tolède

The Souk of Marrakech

Study in Green & Blue, Ahangama

París

Fickle Memory 02

L'arche (rouge)

Construction Site in Manhattan

Socialites

Britt Ekland, 1969 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print

Peggy Guggenheim,1978 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print

George Cameron - Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print

CZ’s House 1955 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print

Harriet at Mougins - 1957 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print

Satin Seduction - 1955 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print

Capote At Home, Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print

Beauty and the Beast, Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print

Equestrian Entrance 1957

Memories

00H00

Angers 1849 - collection spéciale Grands Formats

Prick the sky with the needles of an autumn tree

Font romeu - collection spéciale Grands Formats

Au-delà 19

C. Z. Guest

Selo - N

Quay. Uzhhorod

Monaco, Port Hercules

Steps in twilight

Celebration No.5

Fareweel

Job sur la Tamise

Seven

Selo J1

San Diego Home

Selo - Moirans

Confinement sans perspective

Embrasement

11h53 - 6,09, Crue de la Seine - Paris 2016

Slopes B2

Slopes B8

L'heure bleue maison 3

L'heure bleue maison 2

L'heure bleue maison

La tete dans les infos

Pont d'Avignon

Maison Carrée, Nîmes

Maison Carrée Nîmes

Pont du Gard

Pont du Gard

Factory & Soft mountain chain

Factory & Soft mountain chain

Munich, Neue Rathaus in Marienplatz

Vienna, Austria