Classical V.S. Modern

Art Appreciation

Professor Karen Bryant

October 31, 2008

Classical V.S. Modern

There are many different types of architecture. Kings, Emperors, Pharaohs and great rulers began building palaces, temples and the pyramids. This is called Classical Architecture. Some characteristics of Classical Architecture are, arches in ceilings, everything was symmetrical, and often times was decorated with flowers. An example of Classical Architecture would be the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. During the Middle Ages, there became a new kind of architecture; Gothic Architecture. Gothic Architecture has tall pointed arches and dome ceilings. An example of Gothic Architecture would be the La Sagrada De Familia in Barcelona, Spain. Then, all of a sudden, "Boom" something new has arrived. The Industrial Revolution came along, and it has brought with it Modern Architecture. Modern Architecture involves little decoration at all and a lot of the time uses glass, metal, concrete and often times, water. An example of Modern Architecture is The Kaufmann House.

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum that was built in Agra, India in 1648. A mausoleum is a monument that is used as a tomb or a final resting place for a deceased person. This mausoleum, the Taj Mahal, was built for Mumtaz Mahal, wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. His wife died during child birth of their fourteenth child. After fourteen kids, she deserves a proper resting place. It is made of white marble and is decorated with white lotus flowers. From an aerial view, the Taj Mahal is completely symmetrical. The four columns surrounding the main building are called minarets. They serve as a religious symbol, because they are pointing up towards Heaven and the gods. The minarets also serve as another support structure for the building.

(Taj Mahal) (Floor Plan) (Exterior)

The Kaufmann House by Frank Lloyd Wright is also known as "Fallingwater." It was built in 1935 as a weekend house for the Kaufmann family, known from Kaufmann's Department Store. The Kaufmann's owned the land now known as Fallingwater, but back then they owned cabins. When the cabins became unlivable, they called Frank Lloyd Wright to take care of this problem. It is taken care of by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. It is modern architecture that works with the outdoors and it becomes part of nature. It is a very earthy, organic and rustic house; one that people could only dream of living in. It is a place where one could get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and be able to clear their head. It is a place to think about the great wonders of the world, because there is nothing around to distract you. Wright understood how to create such a building that flowed with nature