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

Fantaisie Romantique

There’s Love in This Home

Operenccia

The Wrinkles of the city, La Havana, Antonio Cruz Gordillo

Near the Gates of the Cathedral

Teatro Microbiotico

Pink arch

Etoile

Agora

Keyhole

Eiffel Tower

Paris, Elysée - La raison du plus fort

The Gallery

Pink Lady

Manhattan

N° 1014 Fugato risoluto.

Paris

On the cloud

Freedom

Smith's shop

Saint Maclou

Cooling Tour

Provence numéro 7

NY Sbarro

La Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Four Times the Living Space

Sans titre

Arche à intérioriser

Promenade d'automne

En Cuba

Indian Wind palace Jaipur

Réappropriation 5

Tropical Landscape

Incoming Call

Moon Shin Museum Stairs 1975

Majorelle

Blue Jasmine

Dream Prague Roofs

After Ride

Python

Les 3 Palmiers

Océan(s) n°88

La Nascita, Milano Centrale, Italie

Sérénité

S Alphabet

Zybride #2 - Vorjak

Giants, High jump in Rio

Canicule

XX164175

The playful power of water

Ruins

Amsterdam

Nature de l'Homme

Gondolier, Venice

Aldgate East

Labyrinthe urbain

Paris Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris 5

Wrapped Snoopy House Collage

Twin Palms Contemporary Oil Painting

0958_0317_xchildhoodx

Tornando con le spese, Novembre 1955 - New York

N° 225

Sunny Seclusion

Night Bridge II

Manhattan Traffic

Blockhouse