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

25/100 1 10 20 23 24 25 26 27 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Categories

Subcategories

Architecture

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

Manhattan aerial 4

Morning in the City

Seul est son ombre

Sunny Venice

Confidences

Barcos de vela

Moulin de St-Loup

Chez Soi

We will be able to rebuild

Réappropriation5

Les amies

Cables in concert

The tower is an iron lace

Printemps en Lauragais

Arc de Triomphe de la Libertay

Paesaggio 1990

Sur les traces de la mémoire

Downtown Study I

Orange Factory

Golden domes behind the trees

Golden baths

Spring in the old yard

Church of the Annunciation of the Holy Mother of God

On a day off

Near the Healing Spring

Early near the church

Feast of the Trinity

Golden Gate Bridge at Sunset

Bleu Fira

Yoyogi 2nd Gymnasium

Brooklyn

Théâtre

Unforgettable Paris

Élévation

Élévation

Manhattanhenge