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

Near the Gates of the Cathedral

Pink arch

Teatro Microbiotico

Etoile

Pink Lady

Agora

Eiffel Tower

Paris, Elysée - La raison du plus fort

Keyhole

The Gallery

Pomeriggio

Bateaux à vapeur à l'embarcadère de Karakoy. Istanbul

N° 1014 Fugato risoluto.

Manhattan

Paris

Freedom

La rencontre

On the cloud

Smith's shop

Saint Maclou

En Cuba

NY Sbarro

Cooling Tour

La Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Provence numéro 7

Sans titre

Promenade d'automne

Arche à intérioriser

Réappropriation 5

Indian Wind palace Jaipur

Moon Shin Museum Stairs 1975

Tropical Landscape

Four Times the Living Space

Majorelle

Incoming Call

Dream Prague Roofs

Blue Jasmine

Les 3 Palmiers

Python

Sérénité

Océan(s) n°88

Zybride #2 - Vorjak

XX164175

Wrapped Barcelona fontain

The playful power of water

Giants, High jump in Rio

Amsterdam

Ruins

Gondolier, Venice

Nature de l'Homme

S Alphabet

Aldgate East

Sunny day in Peniscula

Labyrinthe urbain

La Nascita, Milano Centrale, Italie

Canicule

Paris Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris 5

Tornando con le spese, Novembre 1955 - New York

Twin Palms Contemporary Oil Painting

0958_0317_xchildhoodx

Sunny Seclusion

Night Bridge II

Blockhouse