Running heading: Architecture influencing art forms

Architecture influencing art forms

Saketh Reddy
Lovely Professional University

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
NAME: saketh reddy

REGN NO: 11401373

SECTION: A1403

GUIDE NAME :( Asst. Pr.) Ishaan Bansal.

THIS ASSIGNMENT IS FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF THE COURSE: ARC: 208,
COURSE NAME: DESIGN THEORY AND CRITICISM (ART, FILM AND
CULTURE)
DATED ON: April 21, 2016
EMAIL ID: saketh.reddy335@gmail.com

Architecture influencing art forms

Table of Contents
1. Introduction..7
1.1 Aim.....7
1.2 Objectivise..7
1.3 Scope......8
1.4 Limitations.....8
1.5 Methodology.....8
2. Architecture and its influence on various art forms..9
2.1 Architectural Paintings..9
2.1.1. Illusionistic Ceiling Painting.13
2.1.2. Cityscape...14
2.2 Comic.15
2.3 Dancing..16
2.4 Drawings17
2.5 Fashion Designing.18
2.6 Gastronomy19
2.7 Music..........19
2.8 Teaching.20
2.9 Theatre21

Architecture influencing art forms

3. Colosseum One among the 7 wonders of worlds..22
4. Conclusion...23
5. Reference.25

Architecture influencing art forms

Table of Figure
Figure 1: The old City Hall of Amsterdam by Pieter Jansz Saenredam, 1657,
https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/SK-C-1409 ......................................................... 7
Figure 2: Architectural landscape by Hans Vredemen de Vries, now in the Hermitage
Museum from http://www.arthermitage.org/Vries-Hans-Vredeman-de/index.html ..8
Figure 3: Paul Vredemen de Vries, 1612, Interior of a Gothic Cathedral, from
http://collections.lacma.org/node/229641 ...............................................................................9
Figure 4: Dirck van Delen, 1645, a family beside the tomb of Willem I in the Nieuwe Kerk,
Delft from https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/SK-A-2352 ........................................9
Figure 5: Thomas H. Shepherd, 1853, New England Bank.10
now in the British Museum
Figure 6: Andrea Mantegna, Di sotto in s ceiling fresco in the Camera degli Sposi of the
Palazzo Ducale in Mantua from http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/famous-paintings/cameradegli-sposi-frescoes.htm ..........................................................................................................11
Figure 7: Ceiling of the Jesuit church in Vienna by Andrea Pozzo (1703) from
www.wikiwand.com/en/Architectural_painting .12
Figure 8: Cityscape of New York in the 1980s from .13
http://www.henry4school.fr/USA/New%20York/rockefeller-center.htm
Figure 9: Rancis Rambert, co-curator of the exhibition "Archi et BD, la ville dessine" tells
us about the exchanges and reciprocal influences between architecture and comics from
http://www.domusweb.it/en/search.html?type=tag&key=%22Archi+et+BD+la+ville+dessin
%E9e%22 13

Architecture influencing art forms

Figure 10: Published December 16, 2012 at 850 567 in The 8 classical dance styles of
India14
Figure 11: Church on the Berlin Wall, Raimund Abraham, architect, model and early sketch
published by Lebbeus Woods, March 10, 2009 / 3:54 pm from ....15
https://lebbeuswoods.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/architecture/
Figure 12: Photo: Rosie Assoulin/S. Lombardi Vallauri/Getty Images
http://www.rosieassoulin.com/ ..16
Figure 13: By Rafn Sigurbjornsson, Harpa, a combo concert hall and convention centre, in
Reykjavik, Iceland. From http://www.henninglarsen.com/projects/0600-0699/0676-harpa--concert-hall-and-conference-centre.aspx................................................................................17
Figure 14 and 15: Altrendo Images/Getty Images, and Epidaurus: theatre & Elliott
Erwitt/Magnum19
Figure 16: Altrendo Images/Getty Images, Epidaurus: theatre & Elliott Erwitt/Magnum..20
Figure 17: The Christian Martyrs' Last Prayer, by Jean-Lon Grme (1883) from .20
http://art.thewalters.org/detail/36782/the-christian-martyrs-last-prayer/

Architecture influencing art forms

Abstract
Architecture is said to be part of art, meanwhile there are other well know art forms namely
dance, music, animation, comic, and etc. which are one of the beauty of human creativity. An
architect does not just design buildings, but tries to put himself in the shoes of every
individual before working on building. He is always remembered for his work even after
deceased, this shows his mind work and creativity.
Architecture is mother of all arts it influences other art forms like painting, drawing, dance,
music etc. An architect allows the viewers to experience and artist to think about using his
work in their art forms.

Architecture influencing art forms

1. Introduction
Designers often aspire to do more than simply create buildings that are new, functional and
attractive, they promise that a new environment will change behaviours and attitudes
Marmot (2002, p.252).
An Architect thinks out of box for every work given to him. Communicating with building is
one of the great trait they posse. Impressing people with new design and giving the
experience of nature is the art of Architecture.
Very confining corridors for people to walk along so that when they entered an open space
the openness and light would enhance their experience - Ittelson et al (1974, p.346).
Everything in the world is interrelated, so is the architecture and other forms. While path of
world is going towards more and more western culture, everything is changing accordingly.
Artwork is showing its new phase to the world, E.g. Classical music to Rock bank,
Architecture in Prehistoric times to Architecture in Contemporary times and others, at the
same time influence of architecture on art also developed.
1.1 Aim
To explore how art forms are redesigned and influenced under different timeline of
architecture.
1.2 Objectivise

To explore how art forms were influenced by architectural designs.

Architecture influencing art forms

To understand the role of architecture in different eras.

To find out reasons behind the influence.

1.3 Scope
Scope of this research includes detailed understanding of architecture and its influence on art
forms. To find out what are the subterfuge between architecture and art forms which can help
better future for now and for the generations ahead.
1.4 Limitations
Architecture influencing art forms are limited to arts, this report does not include any topic
related to science. Though logically it is both Science and art, most of the focus is based on
artists influenced by architecture.
1.5 Methodology
All the information collected are from authentication sites, which involves articles, news,
magazines, and PDF of textbooks.

Architecture influencing art forms

2. Architecture and its Influence on various art forms

2.1 Architectural Paintings
Architecture lies has the main focus in the form of genre painting, both inside and outside
view. While architecture was used as the main element to provide rhythm to a background
painting, and it was present in many early paintings and illustrations. Masaccios Holy Trinity
from 1940s, the Renaissance architecture created a sense of deepness.

Figure 1: The old City Hall of Amsterdam by Pieter Jansz Saenredam, 1657, now in the Rijksmuseum in
Amsterdam from https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/SK-C-1409

In 16th century, The Western art made its own independent genre developed in Flanders and
Netherlands, in the peaks of 16th and 17th century Dutch painting which turned into
architectural painting. Architectural painting developed into a tool for Romantic paintings.
E.g. views on ruins became popular.

Architecture influencing art forms

10

16th century

Figure 2: Architectural landscape by Hans Vredemen de Vries, now in the Hermitage Museum from
http://www.arthermitage.org/Vries-Hans-Vredeman-de/index.html

In 16th century the development of architectural painting as created its separate genre in
Western art. The predominance in this century were Flanders and the Netherlands. Dutch
Hans Vredemen de Vries was both architect and painter, it was the first important
architectural painting in both Flanders and in the Netherlands, Painter including his sons
Salomon and Paul, and Hendrik van Steenwijk I. Through which the family turned to be the
main predominant in the Dutch Golden Age painting.

17th century

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Architecture influencing art forms

Figure 3: Paul Vredemen de Vries, 1612, Interior of a Gothic Cathedral, now in the Los Angeles County
Museum of Art from http://collections.lacma.org/node/229641

Architectural paintings in the 17th century became leading Dutch Golden age with portrait
painting and landscape together.

18th century

Figure 4: Dirck van Delen, 1645, a family beside the tomb of Willem I in the Nieuwe Kerk, Delft, and now in
the Rijksmuseum from https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/SK-A-2352

Architecture influencing art forms

12

In the 18th century architectural paintings related to cityscapes were most popular in Italy.
Another architectural painting that is genre closely related with proper were the capriccios,
they were fantasies set in imaginary of an artist.

Modern Architectural Paintings

The buildings Le Corbusier, Philip Johnson, Mies van der Rohe, and Frank Lloyd Wright, are
the identification for modern architectural paintings. They reflect the development of
engineering, technology, and the most important is introduction of industrial materials like
iron, steel, glass, and concrete. Anyhow, architects in present times are engaged in practice
that were not only encouraged social change, but also incorporated structural innovations.

Figure 5: Thomas H. Shepherd, 1853, New England Bank, now in the British Museum

Painting the Glass House: Artists like Revisit Modern, brings architecture and dimensional
works of various media that also includes videos. He explored an interest among architecture
artists emerging in the modern period.

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Architecture influencing art forms

2.1.1. Illusionistic Ceiling Painting

Illusionistic ceiling painting were the techniques which includes perspective di sotto in s and
quadratura. Perspective tools were frequently used for visually arts of open sky, such as
fictive architectural space such as in the illusionistic cupola or a theocilus in Andrea
Mantegnas Camera degli sposi in Rome.

Di sotto
Figure 6: Andrea Mantegna, Di sotto in s ceiling fresco in the Camera degli Sposi of the Palazzo

Ducale

in Mantua.

From

http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/famous-paintings/camera-degli-sposi-

frescoes.htm

Di sotto which means from below, upward or seen from below in Italian, developed in
late Quattrocento Italian Renaissance painting. Preospettiva melozzian or Melozzos
perspective re the Italian terminology that reflect technique of artist's influence. An
architectural vanishing point Foreshortened figures and architectural vanishing point are often

Architecture influencing art forms

14

used technique to create the perception of true space on painting for most-often ceiling above
the viewer.
Quadratura

Figure 7: Ceiling of the Jesuit church in Vienna by Andrea Pozzo (1703) from
http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Architectural_painting

Quadratura which was a popular term in the seventeenth century. It is also normally used in
English, became popular with Baroque artists. Quadratura means opening up, through
architectural illusion the term is most commonly related with Italian city painting.
Perspective theory due to its reliance it is unites architecture, painting and sculpture more
fully and gives more overwhelming impression.
2.1.2. Cityscape

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Architecture influencing art forms

A cityscape is equivalent landscape of urban. In the middle of seventeenth century the
cityscape became more independent genre in the Netherlands. In View of Delft (16601661) by Jan Vermeer, painted an accurate portrait of the city Delft.

Figure 8: Cityscape of New York in the 1980s by tom sulcer from

http://www.henry4school.fr/USA/New%20York/rockefeller-center.htm

Late in ninetieth century the impressionists focused everyday life in the city. Industrial areas,
suburban, building sites and railway yards were the main focus of cityscape. During twentieth
century Edward Hopper stayed loyal to figurative paintings and created intriguing images of
America
2.2. Comic

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16

Figure 9: Rancis Rambert, co-curator of the exhibition "Archi et BD, la ville dessine" tells us about the
exchanges and reciprocal influences between architecture and comics from
http://www.domusweb.it/en/search.html?type=tag&key=%22Archi+et+BD+la+ville+dessin%E9e%22

Writing comic by making people laugh is one of the talent which not everyone can have, it
does require humour. The exhibition held in Archi ET BD: la ville dessine explains all of it.
While a comic writer imagine to start thinking about a story he need to create a world of
imagination with lots of building, people, nature and many more. It is a world of imagination.
An architect designs influence the thinking of comic writer while imagining the dream city.
The exhibition was laid out in a chronological order starting from early twentieth century
with Winsor McCay, the creator of Little Nemo, a legendary figure who "flies" between
buildings in Chicago to the French artist Franois Olislaeger who interrupted his skills in
comic writing with ironic buildings design of twentieth century. The impact of architecture on
comic writers somewhere in the corner is held in their brains to show the characters in their
roles powerfully and to give impact of the imaginative city which sets the comic.
2.3. Dance

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Architecture influencing art forms

Figure 10: Published December 16, 2012 at 850 567 in The 8
classical dance styles of India!

India is a

country

of

religious
believe.

An

incisive
illustration of temples in India are manifold. The architectural designs of temples had
influenced classical dance in lively way. Kerala temples with its circular and rectangular
pattern resulted in the dance movements of Kerala Koodiyattam, Krishnattam, and
Ramanattam which were transformed latter on, in present day they are called by the name of
Kathakali and Mohiniattam. Temples of Tamil Nadu impacted the geometric pattern of
Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam. Likewise the liner circular pattern design of Jagannatha
Temple influenced geometric movements of Odissi, there are many other dance movements
influenced by architectural pattern of temples. Mr. Prabal explained about the origin of
Kathakali the basic nritta sequence Kalasam and the usage of mudras in the classical dance
after the influence of temples architecture.
2.4. Drawing

Architecture influencing art forms

18

Figure 11: Church on the Berlin Wall, Raimund Abraham, architect, model and early sketch published by
Lebbeus Woods, March 10, 2009 / 3:54 pm from https://lebbeuswoods.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/architecture/

In the beginning Drawing and architecture were of the same art forms but changings took
places years after year then made its separate path. Both of these art forms had shown their
presence of beauty in their works, it always a debate topic to which is influence on which art
form. Architecture just does not happen. It needs a lot ground work, calculation, and
information to be collected to start a design. An architect just doesnt start designing
buildings, he will check landscape, and embodies the spaces according to the city and urban
plans. An artist medium of communication is his drawings, and his imagination cannot be
hold by anyone. If person has to draw a landscape he can to it with his imagination or by
observing the surroundings. An imagination can occur when we see certain things in our lives
and want to improve it and implement them in our interested areas. This is how can
architecture can influence thoughts of an artist in terms of being the primary source of
imagination.
2.5. Fashion Designers

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Architecture influencing art forms

Figure 12: Photo: Rosie Assoulin/S. Lombardi Vallauri/Getty Images from http://www.rosieassoulin.com/

Its a basic human tendency, where they see what they to see and want and listen what they
want to listen. Perspective of looking at an object may vary from person to person. In the
same way there are these Designers named Phillip Lim and Milly who made up for the run
way of fashion show attracted everyone, who were inspired from the ironic architects. Its just
not them, Mr. Delpozo, creative director of Josep Font, expresses that he was inspired form
The Art Deco and Expressionist architecture in the 1927 film Metropolis. In some of the
ways, he says, there is a very literal inspirationthe colour palette, the metallic feeland
in other cases, more abstract influence such as the volume on sleeves and tops. Rosie
Assoulin in her winter collection she designed with the inspiration by the Brion Cemetery by
Italian architect Carlo Scarpa near Treviso, Italy. Assoulin says. The incredible angles and
lines, triangles, squares, and rectangles, all blending together somehow harmoniously. I find
something new every time I look at it. With perceptive they look at buildings clearly exhibits
the influence of architecture in fashion designing.

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2.6. Gastronomy
The art of choice to cook and eat good food is known as Gastronomy. History of Gastronomy
itself exhibits the creation of food showed in architecture. In the creation culinary of cream in
nineteenth century, one of the great chief exhibited waterfalls, waves of sea and rivers of spun
sugar. Therefore it provides them with dreams architecture in the form of food. The influence
of architecture on gastronomy can be clearly viewed in the work cream pastry, where he
created architecture landscape based on natural organic forms. In two of the chefs book, le
ptissier parisien and le ptissier pittoresque contains number of architecture designs and
drawings that can be projected as deserts.
2.7. Music
Figure 13: By Rafn Sigurbjornsson, Harpa, a combo concert hall and
convention

centre,

in

Reykjavik,

Iceland.
From http://www.henninglarsen.com/projects/0600-0699/0676-harpa---concert-hall-and-conference-centre.aspx

Combination of vocal or instrumental sounds in such to produce the beauty of form. Music is
one of the way to relax. When we there is no re-vibrations or the uneven walls which does not
create echo loose the beauty of music. Mr. Neil Rolnick an American pioneer illustrates how
todays musicians find their inspiration in architects. He expressed the principal of modernism
into the composition of layers of music. He adds that "both depend on an underlying structure
which is often invisible to the user or audience." Rolnick believes that uprightness of this
hidden structure is what decides whether either will appeal to the user or listener.
2.8. Teaching

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Architecture influencing art forms

The act of teaching is said to be one of the art form. The scope and care as an architecture
was always in hype. Teaching architecture is a no less job. In 1800 and early 1900s the
occupational structure of teaching was not well specific and more informal. Recent policies
addressed that the career of teaching are different from those of past. They started
implementing more and more policies which a faculty member should go side by side
following the policies. It was hard for the architect who graduated before the internet era
changed the searching mechanism, so does it was hard for teaching profession. In the past,
teaching was done on the basis of just the knowledge in the book, explore of the world was
low but still architects then did ironic building design which now we mark it as our tourism
places. In the contemporary architect there is a lot of explore about the world, an architect is
able to get knowledge about anything and implementing them in their designs. In the same
more students are getting explore with world its a challenge for teaching profession to move
parallel. Faculty will have to keep himself updating with the information and should also
share new knowledge.

2.9. Theatre

Architecture influencing art forms

22

Figure 14 and 15: Altrendo Images/Getty Images, and

Epidaurus:

theatre & Elliott Erwitt/Magnum

Theatre being one of the art form doesnt require a purposeful design building for presenting.
But when audience have to experience the performance, efforts are made to create space
maybe for open air or with completely closed, this the beginning of theatre design. In both the
situation of open air or closed there can be to simplest theatre, making audience stand or
arranging seats. Theatre, however, is concern with expanding such space.
1. In order to provide maximum conditions for audience to experience performance
2. Giving chance to performers in achieving full expression of art.
A theatre can involve a temporary structure or a permanent design of building. As theatre are
meant for gathering of audience or group it can be used for multipurpose like meetings, films.
Concerts, specific lectures, and etc. At most, a theatre allows performers to perform and
audience to experience the performance. By giving the space for performance with all the
basic comforts to performers like green room, technician room, and others in an arranged and
logical way it gives the chance for performs to put up more effort for giving best shows. For
e.g. an entry of actor can be through ropes, an architect design decides the level of
performance that can take place. The rhythm and re-vibration in theatre decides the
experience of audience which is possibly designed by an architect.

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Architecture influencing art forms

3. Colosseum One among the 7 wonders of worlds.

Figure 16: Altrendo Images/Getty Images, Epidaurus: theatre & Elliott Erwitt/Magnum

Figure 17: The Christian Martyrs' Last Prayer, by Jean-Lon Grme (1883)

The Roman Colosseum beauty cannot be described in terms of words. The architecture of
Colosseum has a lot of influence on todays architecture. Colosseum is one of the great
architectural design. It influenced staging various events including gladiator fights, theatrical

Architecture influencing art forms

24

entertainment, mock sea battles wild animal displays, religious ceremonies, executions, and
re-playing famous Roman victories. The area breath the Colosseum consists of two level of
subterranean. In Colosseum display of animals and killing them was one of the act that use to
take place. Due to the crowd which would arrive to Colosseum to see the act the walls were
raised high so that there wont be any harm to audience by animals.
Colosseum gave the experience of night act due to its open top. People could performs their
acts in all the time of the day with its natural lighting filled in Colosseum. It enhanced the
beauty of acts. Colosseum had a perfect architecture design, rooms properly placed. If any
accident took place in the act the medical rooms were right in there, entrance were perfectly
placed.

4. Conclusion
Instead of stating that world is changing, the better way to justify the statement is that We
are changing the world. Our thoughts, our way of living, our styles, our innovations, our

25

Architecture influencing art forms

creativity, and etc. we are improvising in all the elements. Architecture is one of the leading
profession which is influence change in the society. It gives landmarks, shows the history and
culture of a place. It combining with other art forms as a part of design. Unifying the beauty
of art forms with architecture is also an art. Its often said that architecture is influenced by art
forms, its true though, but architecture can also influence art forms. In case of dance
performance, dancers are always prepared to perform at any platform but audience may or
not show the same enthusiasm. If a dancer is ready to dance in open space it is not necessary
that audience feel comfortable by standing and watching the show. An architect can give the
comforts to audience to sit down and arrange it in a systematic way to experience the
performance at the same time it helps a dancer to focus on his performance. It applies in all
the art forms. An architect allows the viewers to experience and artist to think about using his
work in their art forms.

5. Reference
1. Avijitasdance; My first dance review on Kathakali; Narthaki.com; April 16, 2012;
https://avijitdasdance.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/my-first-dance-review-on-kathakali-published-at-narthaki-com/

Architecture influencing art forms

26

2. Griffiths, Alyn; Palaces of inspiration: How architecture feeds the imagination of art;
CNN; 11:42 GMT, June 30, 2015.
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/06/30/architecture/how-architecture-inspires-artists-libeskind/
3. The Editors of Encyclopdia Britannica; Theatre design Architecture.
http://www.britannica.com/art/theatre-design
4. Sommariva, Elena; The City of Comic; Domus; 16 June 2010.
http://www.domusweb.it/en/architecture/2010/06/16/the-city-in-the-comics.html

5. Lucien Lyne; 9 Fashion Designers Tell AD How They Are Inspired by Architecture; 23
February 2016.
http://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/fashion-designers-architectureinspiration
6. OPEN QUESTIONS, an entry on LEBBEUS WOODS; Lebbeus Woods; 3:54pm,
10 March 2009.
https://lebbeuswoods.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/architecture/

7. Facts about the Colosseum;

http://www.tribunesandtriumphs.org/colosseum/facts-about-the-colosseum.htm
and
http://www.tribunesandtriumphs.org/colosseum/beneath-the-colosseum.htm