Philosophy of Art: How Architecture Express Values

Philosophy of Art Final Paper
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Philosophy of Art Final Paper
How Architecture Express Values
Architecture is one of the most expressive forms of art. In the modern context, architecture is often viewed from a professional point of view. However, the diversity and distinctions in architecture illustrate its expressive nature, which acts as a worldview. For instance, architecture varies from culture to culture, whereby it expresses the core values and the worldview of its respective culture. Consequently, the relevance of architecture extends beyond providing mere shelter, thereby setting the stage and context of the core values regarded in people's lives. This explains why people have different feelings and regard for different architectures.
Architecture expresses various values because physical forms have character. Wolfflin (1886) argues that we relate to architecture bodily, an aspect of architecture that expresses various values. On most occasions, architecture is viewed in terms of its commonality with human traits. Wolfflin takes an example of how columns have attributes and serves a purpose almost similar to that of human beings. Columns carry loads and experience a lot of pressure, an attribute that is relatable to human experiences. In addition, they seem to manifest a balance between rising energy and the downward pressure of the weight they support. From this perspective, humans can compare themselves to columns, and they can observe various values expressed by architecture from the observation and analysis of columns.
The perception of architecture as animate forms provides a channel through which it expresses different values and attributes held in its respective society. Wolfflin (1886) articulates that the animate perception of architecture allows it to express sentient soul, an aspect that makes it easy to anthropomorphize them. This aspect is evident in the way architecture is described; for example, various segments of architecture are given animate attributes such as the back, head, and foot, among others. In addition, Wolfflin outlines that human relationship to the world, including architecture, through some sort of empathy. Consequently, humans are in the apposition to feel the forces and the energies that play out in the physical world. Architecture expresses various values in its response and interaction with these forces and energies. The well-being of architecture is determined from the perspective and dimensions that manifest well-being among humans.
Aesthetics is another way through which architecture expresses various values. Wolfflin (1886) outlines those aesthetics are a reflection of the organic life in a particular society. This implies that one might learn volumes about a particular society from observation and analysis of architecture. A good example is the Egyptian pyramids. These architectures portray how the ancient Egyptian society regarded its ruler, the vastness of their land, their religion, and the building materials used during the pre-modern era. Also, the aesthetics in Ancient Chinese architecture communicates volumes about the values and customs of classical Chinese society (Barmé & Barmé, 2008). The decorations and the architectural designs in the Forbidden City, the most prominent classical Chinese architecture, not only convey various aspects of Chinese culture but also manifests how they regard their rulers and individuals of the higher social class.
Also, the evolution of architecture over time manifests the changes in values. According to Loos (1908), the change from the ancient era into modernism is demarcated by the increased focus on geometrical principles in construction and architecture. Compared to traditional architecture, modern architecture is more simplistic, indicating a change in values in the latter era. While the traditional architecture incorporated aspects like culture, religion, and manifestation of society's perception of the world, the modern architecture is dedicated to the purpose. Although Loss is opposed to the idea of ornamentation in modern architecture, terming it as a waste of resources, he argues that architecture expresses values depending on its productivity and efficiency principles. While productivity and efficiency communicate the values in modern society, Loos's perspective fails to regard the role played by aesthetics and ornamentation in architecture. A good example is in mosques, and other religious architectures, where the ornamentation and aesthetics deployed speak volumes about specific religions' values. Therefore, the evolution of architecture, from aesthetic influenced architecture to productivity and efficiency-oriented architecture- expresses the changes in values.
How Art Reflects Social Hierarchies
Art is a reflection of society, whereby it responds to various dynamics shaping a particular society. Various themes, most of which are considered important and relevant to society, are conveyed through art. Architecture, as a form of art, is one of the ways in which art responds to social hierarchies. Architecture is mostly concerned with social classes, reflecting how a particular society is diversified in terms of social class. Design, size, and aesthetics are among the features of architecture through which architecture reflects social hierarchies. People in higher social classes prefer design associated with wealth, power, and higher social hierarchy. In most societies, high-class designs are reserved for the leaders and elites in the community. In ancient societies, palaces and other residential structures for the leaders assumed unique designs. For example, imperial china had a unique architectural design dedicated to the emperor and imperial family. These designs were not deployed in civilian architecture, demarcating the society in terms of social class. Size is another aspect used in architecture to reflect social hierarchy in most societies. The size determines the productivity and e...