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Architecture of the 20th Century: What Studying it Can Tell us About a Country - ARH 2051 Final Project

   Art is a vital key when learning about the past. It can teach us many things, such as the wealth, values, and happenings of a country. Architecture is no different. In the twentieth century, the world was undergoing a vast amount of drastic changes. For example, Europe was subject to two major wars, communism spread throughout the world, and American values and lifestyles changed rapidly from decade to decade. While on the surface these things may not seem related to architecture, but by studying the architecture present throughout the world, we can draw parallels to various different social, political, geographical, and economic elements.

   In the twentieth century, America saw a great deal of magnificent architectural styles, with one of my favorites being “Art Deco.” Art Deco represents a wide array of different art forms, such as prints, paintings, clothing, and even home-furnishings. This style first appeared in France at the very beginning of the twentieth century and was called “Art Decoratif”, however it only spread to America in the 1920’s after it was featured in an art exhibition.

   The primary characteristics of art deco architecture are ornate designs, decorative and geometric patterns, audacious use of colors, and streamlined designs. Art Deco, like Italian Futurism, “sought to capture the idea of modernity, the sensations and aesthetics of speed, movement, and industrial development.” (Khanacademy.org). Art Deco also featured lots of floral designs, geometric patterns, and lots of color and decorations. After all, Art Deco is short for “Art Décoratif” which translates to “Decorative Art.” Art Deco embodied the coming to a new age of technology, prosperity, luxury, and all that is great. It represents action, excitement, and speed. In short, Art Deco was the style of a fearless new world that had previously been ravaged by war. Unfortunately, this did not last long, as it was interrupted by economic collapse and a second world war.

   Art Deco prospered primarily in North America, and Europe (where it originated), but can be seen as far away as India. I believe the primary reason Art Deco was so popular in America and Europe is because Americans and Europeans, especially after the first world war, wanted to express their ideals for the future. They wanted something that was new, bold, and entirely unique. Art Deco is all of these things.

   Right here in our own backyard we can see another incredible style of architecture: the Sarasota School of Architecture. Like Art Deco, the Sarasota School of Architecture, emerged after a large war. In this case, World War Two. Also like Art Deco, the Sarasota School of Architecture was spurred by a desire to create something fresh and new.

   Cut from a similar cloth as Modernism and Bauhaus, the Sarasota School of Architecture is a movement that sought to bring together “Clarity of construction, maximum economy of means, simple horizontal and vertical volumes, clear geometry floating above the Florida landscape, and honesty in detail and structural connections.” (Howey 11). Simply put, the architects of Sarasota Modernism (another term for the Sarasota School of Architecture) wanted a style that was uniquely Floridian, open and airy, and built without any unneeded additions. 

   We are very fortunate to live so close to such an important and influential architectural style. Many great examples of these architectural works are still around today in Sarasota, and still hold up against the test of time. One example of this which many people don’t even notice is the addition to Sarasota High School. Designed by one of the Sarasota School of Architecture’s lead influencers, Paul Rudolph, the addition to Sarasota High School was built right around the late 1950’s and is equally as impressive as a building as it is a work of art. The building, clad in white, can represent so many things. The sea foam on our many beaches, the white sand of Siesta Key, and perhaps even a wave, which can be seen on the pattern on the roofline. Paul Rudolph also designed what was once the main building to Riverview High School, but that has since been turned into a parking lot and replaced with a building more reminiscent of a prison.

   One reason that the Sarasota School of Architecture prospered is because after the second World War, new structural engineering methods became readily available to an eager post-war America. Sarasota was also a home to a major art scene and a popular circus. Sarasota eventually became a major hub for artists and wealthy people who wanted to build homes around our beautiful landscape, which eventually led to a spurt of new architecture being built.

   An architectural style which swept a good portion of the world, and rose from a need for cost and convenience is Brutalism. Brutalism can be seen primarily in Russia and the Eastern Bloc countries, but eventually made its way to Western Europe, North America, and even South America as well. Brutalism is a style that technically originated in the United Kingdom during the 1950’s, but can be seen in great quantities throughout the Eastern Bloc. It can also be referred to as Stalinist Architecture, but that term is more narrow than Brutalism.

   Brutalist architecture is characterized by simple designs, straight lines, honest concrete finishes, and authoritative stances. One criticism people have of Brutalist architecture is that it’s very ugly and impeding. Granted, the commie-bloc apartments (as they are affectionately called) that are scattered throughout Eastern European cities are ugly and impeding in some cases, they do serve their purpose well according to universally accepted architectural rules, more specifically, how they interact with the environment. In short, the large, concrete apartment buildings of Russia, for example, are perfect for a couple of reasons. For one thing, they are strong. These large buildings can withstand the freezing winters and harsh elements of the climate they were built in. The other reason being that they last a long time, so you get a lot of bang for your buck after you build one. These buildings can (and have) lasted generations, and will likely still be standing in another one hundred years.

   I believe Brutalism is representational of the countries where it is so often found. Large, imposing structures, which dominate and blend in at the same time, with the grey landscape, everywhere you go, reminiscent of the authoritarian governments that once ruled over. Obviously the designers of these buildings probably didn’t have this in mind, but I think it’s a fine coincidence. 

   As mentioned before, these apartments were very efficient and cost effective. Since the Soviet Union wasn’t as free as western countries, and architects didn’t have the same creative liberty (or budget for that matter), it only made sense to create these large, mass produced, concrete buildings. Not just as apartments, but as government buildings, observatories, bus stops, and more. In fact, aside from the drab apartments, I would say that Brutalist architecture is equally as stunning as the previous two architectural disciplines discussed earlier. They have a certain charm to them which just makes them so special.

   In the twentieth century, the world of architecture experienced a vast array of different styles in different regions. By examining the architecture present in these countries, we can make direct connections to the socioeconomic factors that were present. Each style in each region serves it’s purpose, as well as representing the ideals of these countries. For example, Brutalism is more stern and uniform, whereas Art Deco is decorative and luxurious. Overall, by studying the architecture in countries we can draw parallels to certain values and socioeconomic factors.

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An Exploration of Architecture in the Mediterranean - ARH2050 Final Project

   Throughout all ages, people have been constructing buildings dedicated to that which they believe to be divine. This theme is especially prevalent in the Mediterranean and the empires from this region, as they span over thousands of years and cover a multitude of different areas. From polytheistic temples to monotheistic churches, there is no shortage of great architecture in the Mediterranean. While architecture in this region has made great leaps and bounds over the years, there still exists in each structure the desire to remain true to architectural conventions, coupled with the boldness of adventurous architects.

   Perhaps one of the most impressive structures here, especially considering the time it was built, is the Palace Complex of Knossos in Crete. Constructed thousands of years before the birth of Christ, the Palace Complex is the oldest structure on this list, as it is believed to have been built as early as 2000 BC. This structure was not just a palace, but also acted as an all-purpose city center. The complex, in addition to serving as a building for the ruler of Minoa, provided citizens with a place to hold religious ceremonies, rooms to store products, and gave artists space within workshops. Minoa clearly held artists with high regards, as the walls of the complex are filled with beautiful paintings with superb compositions. Even though many of these paintings have been lost to time, we can see what artistic conventions were present in the Minoan society: Geometric borders, stylized forms, nature, and everyday human life.

   The architectural ingenuity of the Palace Complex is something absolutely astounding, and holds up even by today’s standards. When viewed from the outside, the palace resembles a labyrinth. Walls and corridors, which were built on low areas of the island, stretched for six whole acres! Most of the walls of Knossos were made of precisely cut slabs of stone, or “dressed stone” which is not only a testament to the fine architecture of this complex, but also shows how advanced the Minoans were as a society. This claim can be further amplified by the fact that many of the walls were largely resistant to earthquakes due to the advanced construction capabilities yielded by the Minoans.

   The Palace Complex wasn’t just thoughtfully designed on the outside, but on the inside the thoughtfulness of the architects is present as well. Inside the palace’s walls were large courtyards where people could gather. These courtyards were flanked by a variety of different rooms as well, with workshops and commercial centers being the most prominent, as trade played a major role in Minoan life.  

   The next structure we will be exploring is the Acropolis, in Athens, Greece. Among one of the most well known structures in the world, the Acropolis serves as a prime example for what it means for a work of architecture to be Greek. As opposed to the Minoan Temple Complex, the Acropolis was built on top of a hill instead of among hills. While not taking up the same magnitude as the previous structure, the Acropolis makes up for that with it’s impressive design elements and state of the art construction. 

   Like the Minoan Palace, the Acropolis was more than just a temple, as citizens could store goods and gather water there. Unlike the Palace Complex which was built as one interconnected super structure, the Acropolis takes a less imposing approach to it’s design. Built around a larger courtyard-like area, the Acropolis consists of a variety of different structures, the most recognizable of which being the Parthenon. The Parthenon is arguably the most important structure within the Acropolis, as it is the largest, and has elements that would persist in Mediterranean architecture for years to come.

   The ancient Greeks valued geometry and order, which is evident when looking at the Parthenon. One example of this can be seen in the Parthenon’s most prominent aspect: it’s columns.  Since straight horizontal lines appear to cave in at their center, the architects designed the columns to be slightly flared out towards the middle in order to create the illusion of a strong, consistent line throughout the entire column. Additionally, the Parthenon is based around a cella and peristyle, and is constructed in a rectangular shape.

   Nearby in ancient Rome, we find ourselves at a structure that was dedicated to Titus, and was commissioned as a gift for the people of Rome by Emperor Vespasian: the Colosseum. While not a religious structure per se, gods and goddesses were honored within its walls through various types of sporting events, such as gladiator fights and animal hunts. When considering the Colosseum as an architectural feat, one must note that the Colosseum’s design which could hold around 50,000 spectators has yet to be improved upon, even after nearly 2000 years. Additionally, it is believed that the interior area where events took place could have been flooded with water, and turned into a maze in order to accommodate certain scenarios which were to be played out, such as hunting. 

   The Colosseum contains many bold architectural elements, the most noticeable of which being it’s many arches and vaults, and engaged columns. Arches and vaults existed thousands of years before the construction of the Colosseum, but ancient Rome was the first society to really use them to their full potential, as they were able to construct them faster and easier thanks to the invention of concrete. Just by looking at the Colosseum one can see that the majority of the structure’s support comes from it’s Arches and interior vaults. Since Vaults are lighter than solid walls, and can also bear more weight, this allowed for the Colosseum to be constructed as a freestanding structure of a great magnitude. The vaults also provided an entrance for sunlight to seep in; thus, illuminating the Colosseum. The Colosseum was also adorned with engaged columns. This aspect of the building’s composition was likely a direct result from ancient Greek influence. Though these columns provide no real structural support (as that is what the arches and vaults were for), they provide an extra layer of depth to the structure’s overall composition. 

   We find ourselves in Rome once more to explore yet another fine piece of architecture: the Pantheon. Regarded as one of the finest buildings in Rome and an architectural marvel of it’s time, the Pantheon was the direct result of what happens when you combine architectural genius with traditional styles. When viewed by an unsuspecting passerby, the façade of the pantheon takes the form of a traditional Roman temple. However, from the correct vantage point, one will see that it is not a traditional temple, but instead an engineering marvel. Never before had a dome been used to this scale.

   As mentioned above, the Pantheon incorporates the elements of a traditional rectangular-shaped Roman temple in it’s façade. Large Corinthian columns stand tall, serving as a grand entrance for an even grander structure. Upon entering the Pantheon, onlookers are greeted by an amazing spectacle: a giant rotunda with a roof that ascends to the heavens. The architects of the Pantheon were able to achieve this effect through the employment of buttresses. By diverting much of the dome’s weight out and downwards, the builders were able to construct a dome bigger than anything that had previously been built.

   The Pantheon was originally dedicated to Mars, Venus, and Julius Caesar, and took a period of 18 years to construct. Trajan, the emperor who commissioned the Pantheon to be built, clearly revered the three individuals who the building was designed for, as it is among one of the most technologically advanced structures ever created during that time. Everything from the oculus in the center of the dome, to the buildings glorious interior serve as a testament to the aspiration and inventiveness of the ancient Romans.

   In the distant land of Turkey lies another architectural marvel: The Church of Hagia Sophia. Hagia Sophia means “Holy Wisdom”, and at the time, holy wisdom may have seemed like the only conceivable way humans could have constructed such a structure. It was even said that angels helped build the grand church, as it seemed like an impossible feat, especially when considering how it was built in only five years. When designing this church, absolutely no expense was spared. It’s two main designers were experts in physics and geometry who came together to form a structure which proclaimed the glory of God and the Byzantine empire. The amount of planning put into the Hagia Sophia, coupled with it’s many amazing features might even make one ponder why it is not one of the wonders of the world. It even had the largest dome of any structure in the world for nearly one-thousand years.

   One cannot look at the Hagia Sophia without noticing it’s giant dome. Constructed in a similar fashion to that of the Pantheon, the dome of the Hagia Sophia when viewed from the inside looks nearly weightless, as if it is sitting on air. Like the Pantheon, the Church of Hagia Sophia uses buttressing to hold the weight of the dome. Additionally, pendentives and piers were used to hold up the structure’s massive dome in place. Since the Hagia Sophia is a mix between a central and longitudinal plan, the piers (rectangular or square supports capable of bearing heavy loads) submerge into the rest of the church instead of sticking out, allowing the architects to create the effect of the dome floating on air.

   As mentioned earlier, the Hagia Sophia is a mix between the plans of a central and longitudinal church. Each type of plan has its own benefits, and the Hagia Sophia was able to capitalize on both. For example, the architects were able to incorporate long aisles along with overhead galleries: something that isn’t able to be done to the same extent in a central-plan church. The architects were also able to base the church around an overall geometric design, which not only makes the church feel even and symmetrical, but also natural to some degree.

   Throughout all of history, the Mediterranean and it’s many different empires had no shortage of great and beautiful architecture. Architects were constantly taking inspiration from the works done before them, but also using their increasing knowledge of math and physics paired with a thirst for creativity to develop the world around them in new and groundbreaking ways. While much of the architecture in this region is very eclectic, there exists in each structure a special trace of individuality that simply cannot be replicated. 

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Final Exam- My composition from start to finish

“This Looks Like Something You’d See Hanging in a Dentist’s Office”

Emerson Leone, 2020

Oil Pastel on Pastel Paper (11 in x 14 in)

The main artistic element one can see when viewing this is the Rule of Three’s. I divided the paper into three mostly even segments and from there I worked on the contents of each section. Each section is also comprised of around three different colors, except for the top section which contains 4 colors. 

Regarding the creative process, things went along how one might expect. I knew I wanted to create something at least slightly similar to impressionism (my favorite artistic movement), but I knew I didn’t have the skill to make a work even half as great as what Monet or Renoir were able to accomplish. I then settled on making a beach scene. I actually completed a piece before this one, but I discarded it because the viewpoint was confusing, and it looked sloppy, and also looked rushed. 

The scene isn’t based off any particular image, I just put together in my head what I thought would look like a nice beach scene.

The “Big Idea” of this whole piece is that art is an active learning experience. Throughout the production of my original draft and my final draft, I learned a whole bunch of things along the way. Even experienced artists are constantly learning, improving, and looking for ways to master their craft even more. Back in the Renaissance, artists would travel across Europe just to see what other countries had to offer. Back then traveling such large distances was no easy feat, which really shows how dedicated many artists were. While I’m no amazing artist, nor is my work something you would see in a museum, I still learned many things in the process of making it. One could even say that the thing most artist have in common, regardless of skill, is that they are always seeking ways to improve their art. I feel like this piece embodies that thought in some sense.

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Virtual Sketchbook 4

Emerson Leone

“Fever Dream”

Oil Pastels on Paper

7 inches x 10 inches

This piece is based off the chaos and disorientation one might experience during a fever dream. More specifically, it’s based off a fever dream I once had, but I’m sure this can be applicable to many people. I also took some inspiration from my buddy with schizophrenia.

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Virtual Sketchbook 2- Cartoon

The subject matter/message I am trying to convey with this comic is that art, whether it be digital, a photo, or in this case a comic, is not necessarily any less good just because it is simple. I left the figures (which were inspired by the simple figures one might see in a quick architectural sketch) simple on purpose. In the case of this comic, detail to the characters is not really pertinent to the viewing experience of the comic itself. In my opinion, if I had made the figures more detailed it would have taken away from the viewing experience. The joke is simple and corny; therefore, it only seems appropriate to make the characters simple as well. Had I made the comic overly detailed it would have been, in my opinion, the equivalent of putting a five-thousand dollar paint job on a minivan. 

I am also including pages in my journal in which I experimented with color usage, background patterns, facial details, a possible joke, and figure form. The whole process took me a couple days believe it or not.

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Virtual Sketchbook 2- How Color has Affected Me

One way color has affected me is all the different ways the sky showcases color in the early morning. When the sun starts to rise in the morning, the whole sky seems to change into a beautiful pinkish-hue. As your eyes move further up into the sky, the pink saturates with the natural blue of the sky and always looks really nice. Minutes later, when the sun has risen higher, the sky becomes a captivating, fiery deep-orange and yellow. These color hues are also right next to each other on the color wheel. This doesn’t last for long unfortunately, because before you know it, the sky is back to it’s normal blue color. The way the sky looks early in the morning affects me because it motivates me to wake up early to see it. 

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Virtual Sketchbook 2- Writing and Looking

“Boys Wading” by Winslow Homer is a water color painting that blends bright water colors to create a portrait that portrays a sunny day on the water. By blending the colors and adding highlights of white to the painting, Homer is able to communicate the reflection of sunlight off the water. Homer also uses zero-point perspective. This is evident because there are no vanishing points to be seen. The buildings in the background are less detailed than the rest of the painting. This adds to the immersion by simulating what one would actually see if they were standing across from these structures. This achieves balance by prompting the viewer to focus on the focal point of the painting, while also providing a satisfying and realistic background that doesn’t overpower the center of attention.

Winslow Homer. Boys Wading. 1873. Watercolor and gouache over graphite on wove paper sheet. 9 3/4 inches x 13 3/4 inches. Chapter 7, Page 116.

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Virtual Sketchbook 2- Principles of Design

1. Unity and Variety- Unity and variety are polar opposites, but cannot exist without the other; thus, making them complimentary. Unity is when something is in a condition of individuality, meaning it is the whole of something. It is also when something is in harmony. 

Variety is the opposite of unity and provides lots of different things, whether it be shapes, colors, shades, lines, etc.

I see variety in my everyday life in my belongings. I have military surplus, radios, books, notebooks, and other things that add to the variety of things I see each day.

2. Balance- Balance is when multiple parts achieve a state of unity or equilibrium against opposing forces.

I see balance in my everyday life in my bookshelf. While not everything is completely perfect and orderly, it still looks balanced as if each little piece is exactly where it belongs.

3. Symmetry- Symmetry is when sides of a composition are nearly identical, if not completely identical to each other.

4. Asymmetry- Asymmetry is the opposite of symmetry, meaning that the sides or parts of a composition are completely dissimilar. Something being asymmetrical doesn’t necessarily mean something isn’t balanced.

I see asymmetry in my everyday life on my desk. On one side I have my notebook, planner, and a couple of other books I use daily, in the middle I have my computer, and on the other side I have a calculator and nothing else.

5. Asymmetrical balance- Asymmetrical balance is when the pieces of a composition are in equilibrium, despite not being symmetrical.

6. Emphasis- Emphasis is how an artist is able to draw our eyes from one place to another in a composition.

7. Focal Point- The focal point of a composition is the most important area. It is the place which is usually emphasized the most.

8. Contrast- Contrast is when parts of a composition are opposite to each other. 

9. Subordination- Subordination is when an artist purposely makes a part (or parts) of a work particularly boring or dull so that the viewer focuses more on the focal point.

10. Directional Forces- Directional forces are parts of a composition that act as a pathway to guide us to certain parts of a work.

11. Repetition- Repetition is when an artist repeats themes or elements in a composition.

12. Pattern- A pattern is created with repetition, and it created with the recurrence of certain elements and themes.

In my daily life, I see a pattern on the wall of my shower. The different shapes and colors of glass tiles are all organized a certain way and are repeated throughout the whole wall.

13. Rhythm- Rhythm is when an artist uses different visual elements in sequence. 

14. Scale- Scale is how big something is when compared to something else.

I see scale in my daily life when I look at the size of my school backpack when comparing it to the size of my camping rucksack. My rucksack is clearly designed to be more rugged, durable, and hold more things when compared to my school backpack.

15. Proportion- Proportion is how big something is when compared to a whole.

In my daily life I see proportion when looking at the individual pages of a book, and compare them to the whole book itself.

16. Format- Format is how a picture plane is proportioned or shaped in order to best work with the artist’s desired end result.

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Group 6- Black and White vs Color Photography

What I believe motivates someone to choose between black and white, and colored film is the feeling they want to convey in their photo. For example, black and white film is pretty gritty looking, simple, and honest. Similarly, that is what the job of a fisherman is like; not super glamorous, but is nice nonetheless. With color film, the photographer might be trying to convey feelings of wanderlust and  amazement. The picture of Italy is from National Geographic, so it is completely possible that by taking photos with color film as opposed to black and white film, the photographer was trying to convey the emotions they felt as they traveled the country. Since color film was not super popular in the early 20th century, it could have been doubly amazing for the readers of National Geographic to see Italy in it's full glory, with color and everything.

(Top left: Fisherman in Norway, Top right: Italy in the 20th Century)

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The work I have chosen that is important to me is this original Erté print. The piece is part of his “Four Seasons” suite. The one my family owns is called “Autum”. Autum is a silk-screen print and is rather large. It’s use is entirely decorative. I find the piece to be beautiful for a variety of reasons, but I think what I find the coolest about this piece (and the other three in the suite) is how Erté portrays each of the seasons as a different woman. Each woman has traits that correspond to each season, which is no different for “Autum” in which the woman has fiery orange hair and is sitting on a pile of leaves.

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Writing and Research-Virtual Sketchbook 1

1) Greetings, my name is Emerson Leone. I am 16 years old and I am attending classes at SCF in place of normal high school classes. I just completed my first year here, and I am eager to complete my second this coming spring. One little known fact about me is that I love old German cars, especially ones from the mid to late eighties and nineties.Some facts about my assigned artwork are as follows:

1. While the focal point of The Great Wave off Kanagawa is the giant wave about to crash down on a fleet of boats, Mt. Fuji can actually be seen in the back. It can be kind of hard to see though, especially since it is the same colors as the wave.

2. The Great Wave off Kanagawa isn't actually a painting, it's a series of prints. It is estimated that up to 8,000 prints have been produced, although many of them have withered away with age.

3. Hokusai Katsushika, the man who made the prints, had changes his artist name several times throughout his life. He also changed residences 93 times before he died.

4. Hokusai Katsushika had produced more than 30,000 print designs throughout his entire life.

5. Wood prints, like The Great Wave off Kanagawa weren't seen as art in Japan at the time they were created. Instead, they were seen as a form of commercial printing.

One thing that I thought about the art piece that had changed since the first time I looked at it is how Katsushika may have made it to express how he felt about his life. He had been riddled with misfortune, and the wave crashing down on the helpless boats could be seen as how he was just floating through life, only to be battered with sadness. The only thing I see different in the art that I didn't see before is how it may have represented how Katsushika felt in life. Aside from that, there isn't much else that I see now that I didn't see before.

The Great Wave off Kanagawa (1829-1833)

Artist:  Hokusai Katsushika