【Art & Design English-26】Art & Architecture (藝術與建築)

Art & Architecture - Louis Kahn For thousands of years, the most common building materials have been stone, brick, and wood. They have also been the most charming, ageing beautifully and suggesting a special kind of nobility and strength. When modernist architecture was born in the early 20th century, traditional materials quickly gave way to the three quintessential modern ingredients: concrete, steel, and sheet glass. The result has far too many cases that appear brutal, uncaring and alienating. The buildings have not aged well either. Could modern architects not learn to work with traditional materials while retaining the forms and the spirit of our own times? This is the question so beautifully answered by one of the greatest of all modernists, the American architect Louis Kahn. Kahn was born in Russia in 1901 and emigrated with his parents to the US at the age of 3. As a young man, he studied architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, but his career truly blossomed in the 1950s after a trip to Rome led him to a new appreciation of the beauty of Roman architecture. Kahn’s major contribution to modern architecture was to include ancient elements in his work without losing the innovation and clarity of modernism. He reminded the Modernists that they could be in dialogue with their most illustrious predecessors. One symptom of this successful rehabilitation of the old was Kahn’s affection for symmetry, which many modern architects had come to view as authoritarian, unimaginative, and conformist. Kahn designed the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California, as a complex of buildings, identical on either side of a central fountain – a symmetry characteristic of what is known as the Beaux-Arts style. Kahn was unperturbed by this apparent regression. “If people want to see Beaux-Arts, it’s fine with me,” he said. “I’m as interested in good architecture as anybody else.” Like a city planner for 19th-century Paris or Berlin, Kahn used identical rows of buildings to draw the viewer’s eye to the centre of his design, and out beyond it. The fountain that runs through the centre of the Institute aligns with the path of the sun on both the autumnal and vernal equinox. Kahn used symmetry not as an aesthetic default but with great intentionality to provide one with a sense of balance, focus, and momentum. Kahn also managed to create a sense of grandeur in his designs rarely seen in modern architecture. We might gape at the height of a skyscraper, but it rarely instills the sense of awe that a great cathedral does. Kahn managed to reintroduce a feeling of magnificence into modern works. In the Yale Centre for British Art, he draws the viewer’s eyes upward to the high windowed ceiling, much as though it were the dome of a church. Even the staircases create a sense of lofty space and height. Rather than resorting only to steel, concrete, and glass, Kahn regularly sought out a wide variety of older and more sensory materials. He worked with the best consultants to find new uses for ceramic, copper, and especially brick. Kahn liked to cleverly juxtapose older and newer materials, like oak with concrete. We tend to associate oak with tradition – Victorian smoking rooms and solemn libraries – while concrete reminds us of impersonal factories and remote, futuristic buildings. However, by putting together the two mediums, demonstrate strikingly different, yet remarkably complementary virtues. The wood gives off a feeling of warmth and domesticity, while concrete provides a sense of strength and stability. The combination subtly promises a reconciliation between the old and the new and between comfort and security. Kahn was drawn to the idea of making buildings that would feel like monuments, at a time when most modern architects firmly rejected monuments as both authoritarian and sentimental. In 1938, the architectural critic Lewis Mumford had declared, “if it is a monument, it is not modern; if it is modern, it cannot be a monument.” But Kahn rather liked the feeling of authority, and was confident enough in his democratic credentials not to mind borrowing from some of the moves of more dictatorial regimes. After his important trip to Rome, he wrote, “I finally realise that the architecture of Italy will remain as the inspirational source of the works of the future…those who don’t see it that way ought to look again. Our stuff looks tiny compared to it.” His most substantial building was perhaps the National Assembly in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Though recognisably modern, it also seems in some ways eternal in its massiveness, evoking memories of cathedrals, the great mosques, and even the pyramids. Many of Kahn’s buildings feel luxurious – but this isn’t the luxury of glitz or gold of an oil-rich kingdom, rather the luxury of buildings that aspire to still be around in 600 years' time; a luxury of eternity. The Kimbell Art Museum in Texas uses travertine marble, white oak, and concrete arranged in three 100-foot bays, each fronted by an open, barrel-vaulted portico. It’s possibly the most beautiful building in the world. When Kahn died in 1974, he was the most famous architect in the United States, and he remains deeply influential to this day. His ultimate importance lay in his ability to transcend dogmatic modernism and return the best elements of traditional architecture to their rightful place in the canon. He reminds us that the real goal of buildings isn’t so much to shock, dazzle, or confuse as to be the equals of the venerable buildings we have long loved in the ancient world. References (optional) Links 【Art & Design English- 02】What is Art For? Discussion Questions (Architecture) (1) What springs to mind when you hear the word ‘architecture'? (2) How important is architecture? (3) What would you say about the architecture in your country? (4) What would you learn if you studied architecture? (5) What do you think of modern architecture? (6) What is your favourite building in the world (and why)? (7) What do architects need to be good at? (8) What architecture do you like from other countries? (9) Which country has the best architecture? (10) What is more important – building appearance or comfort for humans? (11) How interesting is architecture? (12) What do you think about the architecture of your home? (13) What would you like to change about the buildings in your town? (14) How important are architects? (15) Do you know any famous architects or architect companies? (16) Which period in history has the best architecture? (17) What is the relationship between architecture and nature? (18) What can architects learn from nature? (19) What is the greatest architectural achievement in history? (20) What will architecture be like in 100 years from now? Discussion Questions (Art) How great is your interest in art? What’s the best art gallery you’ve been to? Do you like modern art? What do you think of installation art? Do you ever think a lot of art is not really art? Do you have a favorite artist? What kind of art do you like – paintings, sculpture, ceramics, etc.? What is art? Does art change the way you think or feel? Do you think anyone can be an artist or do you need a special talent? Do you think all children should study art at school? Do you think children should learn the history of art? Do you think a painting can really be worth a million (or more) dollars? Do you think today’s artists are as good as those from hundreds of years ago? What was the last painting/poster/piece of art you bought? Why did you buy it? Describe the pieces of artwork in your house. What kind of art is your country famous for? What kind of life do you think an artist’s is? Do you have any artistic talents? How would the world be different without artists? Discussion Questions (Design) How would you define design? How do you know if something is designed well? Do you think design is important? Why? Have you ever designed anything? What are some well-designed products? What are some poorly designed products? Are there any designers you admire? Have you done any interior design in your home? What are some examples of good design that you appreciate? Why? How does design influence our daily experiences and interactions with products and environments? Can you think of any iconic designs or designers that have made a significant impact on society? What are some key principles or elements of design? How does cultural and historical context influence design aesthetics? Can you describe a design project or process that you have been involved in or observed? How does user experience (UX) design contribute to the functionality and usability of products and services? What role does sustainability play in design? Share examples of environmentally conscious design practices. How can design be used to solve social and humanitarian challenges? What are some current trends in design that you find interesting? How does technology influence the field of design? Discuss the impact of digital tools and software. Can you think of any examples of design that have sparked controversy or provoked discussions? How can design be inclusive and accessible to people with diverse abilities and backgrounds? Can you share any examples of designs that evoke specific emotions or create a particular atmosphere? How does design differ across various disciplines, such as graphic design, industrial design, or interior design? What are some ethical considerations in design? Discuss the responsibility of designers towards users and society. Can you think of any design failures or instances where poor design affected the user experience? What lessons can be learned from them? How can design thinking be applied beyond traditional design fields to problem-solving and innovation? What skills and qualities do you think are essential for a successful career in design? How has technology influenced the field of graphic design in recent years? Can you think of any examples of design that successfully blend form and function? Explain why they are effective. How does cultural diversity influence design aesthetics and the portrayal of different cultures in design? What are some key considerations in designing user interfaces for mobile applications? Can you describe a design project that aims to address sustainability or environmental issues? How does typography contribute to the overall design and message of printed materials? What are some effective ways to gather user feedback during the design process? How can color psychology be utilized in design to evoke specific emotions or convey certain messages? Can you think of any examples where design played a crucial role in shaping a company’s brand identity? What are the main differences between designing for print media and designing for digital media? How can design be used to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities? Can you describe a design trend that you find intriguing? Why do you think it has gained popularity? How does packaging design influence consumer perception and purchasing decisions? What ethical considerations should designers keep in mind when creating advertisements or marketing materials? How has social media influenced the field of design and the way designers showcase their work? Can you think of any innovative design solutions that have improved people’s lives in developing countries? What are some challenges in designing for virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) experiences? How does design impact the gaming industry, particularly in terms of user interface and user experience? Can you describe a famous architectural design that has become an iconic landmark? What makes it significant? How do cultural symbols and icons influence design choices, especially in international contexts? Discussion Questions (Art Culture) How often do you go to art museums? Do you consider yourself to be artistic? What do you think about modern art paintings? How many forms of art can you name? What is your favorite form of art? Is graffiti art? Why or why not? What is the most famous statue in your country? Who is your favorite artist? Why do you like them so much? Do you think that art is important to society? Why? Have you ever tried drawing, painting, sculpting, or something else artistic? What is the most famous painting in your country? What is traditional art like in your culture? What country do you think is the most creative? Why is art so expensive? Do you think it should be more, or less, expensive? Do you have any artistic friends? What kinds of art do they create?