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

Piazzale del Pincio

Architectural Abstract 1

Les Princesses du Grand Palais

Sketching Hells Doors

Marquee

Les heures bleues

Preciosités de Bahia

Australian village

Deux amants dans un jardin au dessus de Paris

Corner

Paysage de campagne avec arbre fruitier en fleurs

Projection view (Palms and yellow boom)

View of a suburban crosswalk

Intérieur japonais, gravure originale

Mont Saint Michel 1963 Saint Michael Mount

L'art du futur

Diaphanes

Marina 6 - Paysage semi abstrait, série des Marinas

Vue sur la côte

Firenze Cortile del Bargello

Basking in the Limelight

Abruzzo Coast

Port de Barcelone

Lumière de printemps à Venise

Santorini Patio

Eux deux

L'Ile de la Cité et Notre-Dame de Paris

Une île #15 - fenêtre n°21

Casa descompuesta

Dialogue between building and nature

Untitled

National Museum of Taiwan Collection 1980 Tradition

Magic Power

The Yellow Door

Carnegie Library/ Atlanta-Fulton county public library

Enter Pagoda

The Pincio Fountain in Rome

Un autre regard

Tsaritsyno

Autumn Sun, Walkers

City mirror NO42_ New York World Trade Center

Chairs Borrowed at Neighbour`s

Aquanaut London 3D Watches

Simply Red

Voyage sur la Roue

Personnages sous le porche de l'église

San Giorgio Maggiore

Graduation Day, Rockefeller Chapel, UChicago, Painting, Oil on Canvas

The St Martin’s Lane Sonata

Marine phare rochers

Plaça Prim. Reus

Aiguesverds

Indian Sabre

Inside Out

Maisons de Genève

City

Tropical Mood - Archi-Lines Series

Ponte Garibaldi, Rome

Villa Borghese - Rome

New York Streets N°17 - Art urbain coloré

B1

Terrace on the sea stacks vertical version - Capri Italy painting & frame

Dune du pilat

Prague - Saint Prokop

Provencale No.13

2004 Paris Tour Eiffel