Abstract This paper is an examination of Mayan architecture which emerged from the rainforests of Guatemala and Yucatan. The writer maintains that the detailed architecture was a fitting monument to the highly sophisticated civilization that existed in the region before the Spanish arrived. This look at the style of Mayan architecture includes a diagram highlighting the areas of construction in Copan. The paper argues that Mayan culture was more than a collection of buildings in that every aspect of architecture was linked to the sacred world around. In conclusion the writer explains that the temple pyramid which symbolizes Mayan architectural skill is also a statement of their cosmographic ideas. Everything has a beginning and end. Everything is the beginning and the end.
From the Paper "Deep in the tangled rainforests of Guatemala and the Yucatan, the Maya made some of the greatest contributions to world architecture. Their stone cities complete with temples, palaces, tombs, and ball courts are fitting monuments to the complex, and highly sophisticated civilization that existed in these regions many centuries before the arrival of the Spanish. Mayan priest-astronomers made elaborate calculations to catalog the passage of time. Great warrior kings immortalized themselves and their deeds on stelae, recording for future generations the contributions they had made toward maintaining the cosmic order. The Maya were the only Pre-Columbian people to ever have invented a complete system of writing".
Tags: emerged, rainforests, detailed, civilization, monument, diagram, sacred, buildings, construction
A look at the evolution of the structure of the Christian church over the centuries and the many architecture styles and features it has encorporated over its lifetime.
Abstract This paper follows the architectural progression of the Christian church from its earliest beginnings and examines how between the sixth century and the thirteenth centuries in Europe, there wre many advances and changes in the methodology of church building. In particular, the paper shows how Hagia Sophia from the Early Christian Period, Ste.-Foy from the Romanesque Period and St.-Denis from the Gothic Period can be compared and contrasted in the progression of the Christian design.
From the Paper "Five hundred years later, between 1050 and 1120, Church building entered the Romanesque style of architecture. The church of Ste.-Foy in Conques is a perfect example of this style. Constructed as a pilgrimage church, it is rather small but has a large transept. Having to deal with a large traffic flow, the biggest innovation of the Romanesque design was the radiating chapel scheme. Unlike Hagia Sophia, which contained an apse under each semi dome, Ste.-Foy had an apse from which a series of three chapels radiated. Flanking the apse on either side are two more, slightly larger chapels, for a total of five. This use of an ambulatory allowed for maximum traffic flow."
Abstract Compares two styles: the Romanesque and the Gothic. Connections and variations between the two movements. Com0ares the Norman Romanesque Abbey Church of Saint-Etienne, and the Gothic Cathedraal of Notre Dame in Paris. How the two churches demonstrate characteristics of each movement. Difference in aesthetic aims. Conception of space and effects.
From the Paper "The Romanesque and Gothic movements both included a wide range of variants that developed over the centuries and from one locale to the next. The two styles were also intimately connected since many of the advances in church construction made by the Romanesque builders were the basis of the achievement of the Gothic era which took them, literally, to new heights as builders strove to make churches lighter, more open, and more brightly glowing than had been dreamed of before. Despite the intrinsic connection between the two movements the distinctions between them are very significant and, despite the range of regional and chronological variations, churches of both types consistently present numerous characteristics that distinguish them as Romanesque or Gothic. A comparison of the Norman Romanesque abbey church of Saint-Etienne (begun c. 1068) at ..."
Abstract The original list of the Seven Wonders was compiled when the city of Egypt was the center of Western civilization. This paper describes how over time the list of Wonders became regularized, the finalists being the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesos, the Mausoleum at Halicamassus, the Colossus of Rhodes and the Pharos at Alexandria. The writer looks in detail at each wonder.
From the Paper "The first Wonder of the World is the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. The Great Pyramid was built over a twenty year period. The site was first prepared, and then blocks of stone were transported and placed. An outer casing was then used to smooth the surface. Although it is not known how the blocks were put in place, several theories have been proposed. One theory involves the construction of a straight or spiral ramp that was raised as the construction proceeded. A second theory suggests that the blocks were placed using long levers with a short angled foot. The online Wikipedia Encyclopedia says, "There is enough blocks in the pyramid to build a wall 10 foot tall, all the way
the country of France" (Seven 1). The Great Pyramid is one of the most important because it has withstood weather conditions and aging."
Tags: civilization, monuments, pyramid, history, construction
Abstract Apart from possessing a functional and ornamental value, architecture also tells the story about the character and the culture of a society, thus reflecting the spirit of the people and the age. The paper shows that the architecture that is most representative of a society consists of ordinary and drab buildings. Although they cannot be considered esthetically pleasing to the eye, their value rests in their reflection of the reality of the ordinary people. The paper evaluates several buildings and cities such as Ancient Greek cities, the Great Mosque of Kairawan and the city of Chicago. It shows the important role architecture plays in every society, not only because it reflects the society of its time, but also because it has the power to influence the people.
From the Paper "As a part of the City Beautiful Movement started to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus? discovery of America, Chicago was transformed by Daniel Burnham who was appointed director of the project. The transformation included the creation of a lakefront park system, an inner harbor and a civic center. According to Burnham, the redevelopment of the city served an important purpose in creating uniformity and order against the chaotic development of a city affected by massive immigration of people with different cultures. Thus, to him, the orderly city would reinforce an American order over the diversity of cultures (Kostof 671). However, in this case, the City Beautiful Movement failed because it was more concerned with the aesthetic ideal than the lives of the people in the city. The City Beautiful Movement limited itself to changing public facilities, but did not seek to improve the housing needs of the poor. Therefore, it produced architecture that was divorced from the actual reality of the ordinary people it sought to represent."
This paper argues that, although quasi-public privatized spaces, like Universal City Walk in Los Angeles, show ethnic diversity and do not result in social stratification, they do represent the destruction of democratic public space.
Abstract This paper explains that, although spaces like City Walk do not outright cause social stratification, they do result in segregation and unreal expectations of what public space truly represents. The paper states that a variety of security mechanisms has been put in place to prevent potential criminal activity. The author believes that, although spaces like City Walk may resemble true democratic public spaces, they actually are designed to attract consumers, thereby, automatically filtering out objectionable or disagreeable visitors.
From the Paper "City Walk was developed and constructed as a safe haven for consumers. The clientele that City Walk attracts is a young, affluent and classy sort with money to spend. Consumers do not feel threatened due to the prevalence of security patrols and surveillance cameras that are posted throughout the park. City Walk, however, excludes an important part of the true urban population, people such as the homeless and perhaps even gang members who would normally be visible in a democratic public space."
Abstract This paper examines two particular Gothic churches ? Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome and the Church of S. Maria del Fiore in Florence. Each church is examined for the combination of specific historical forces and styles, the building materials and techniques available to those who constructed them. It also looks at emblems that were used as meaningful symbols and the ways in which Gothic churches connect people to the divine within the Catholic Church in a way that helped people to transcend their daily lives.
From the Paper "The church of Santa Maria Maggiore is no exception, for it is combination of specific historical forces and styles, the building materials and techniques available to those who constructed it and emblems that have been used as meaningful symbols of the ways in which churches connect people to the divine within the Catholic Church, as Kulterman (p. 12) argues."
Abstract Using the art of the Parthenon and the play "The Oresteia", written by the Ancient Greek playwright Aeschylus, this paper determines a number of morals and ideals that the Ancient Greeks held in high esteem. In the first few paragraphs, the paper describes the various metopes in the Parthenon. It examines which gods and important Greek characters are depicted, what it is they are doing and how this represents a given Greek ideal. The paper then explores "The Oresteia" and uses important lines to either determine other Greek ideals or uses them to underscore the importance of an ideal already talked about in the segment on the Parthenon. Through comparing the Parthenon and "The Oresteia" the paper determines that the Greeks were a highly civilized people that believed highly in bravery, pride, civic duty, civility, order and justice.
From the Paper "Greeks were the most civilized peoples in the fifth century BCE as well as the best fighters. This was, of course, according to their standards. Their success as warriors and the importance of the Apollonian way of life is inscribed on the walls of the Parthenon and within the pages of The Oresteia. The Parthenon's gracefully sculpted friezes unite with "schylus" trilogy and both are founded on pride and bravery. There is an obvious mindset, almost a moral code among the Athenians. They believed moderation and civility were the keys to success and it was up to them to impose this onto other races. An Athenian who didn?t abide by this code was a pariah of sorts, to say the least, and was portrayed as such through the Parthenon and The Oresteia."
Abstract Art has always had a social aspect that is a representation of the inner functions of the culture from which art is created. Formal theories on the social nature of art, however, were not formed until the 16th century when the waxing and waning of artistic movements was seen to be affected by changing tastes in art patrons. In the 17th and 18th centuries, many different and diverse social theories emerged to draw connections between art and society - which created which? French socialist, Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, said that 'art for art's sake' was an impossibility and that art sprung, regardless of the artist's inspiration or motivation from the archetypal (a more modern term) forces that governed the society, often invisibly. Art stands, in many ways, as a social criticism as well as an honoring of the society. Art is a commentary, on some level, about the artist's perception of the world. That perception is shaped by the undercurrents of political, religious and social life of the particular time. Identity, in particular, in art is marked by a defined or hidden connection to the audience with recognizable symbolic language. In the case of architecture, we have the ultimate visual special creation which creates its own distinct sense of identity. The Cathedral of Notre Dame stands as one of the most significant structures embodying both visual and spatial constructs to modify the viewer's and visitor's perception of the self.
Abstract As will be seen, while the two buildings were projects of Roman emperors designed to serve a spiritual purpose as well as to reflect the values of their respective communities, the buildings are radically different in design and function. It will be argued that these differences are due to both the different architectural periods in which these buildings were constructed, as well as the differences in the functions that they were intended to serve.
Abstract If meditation is interpreted as contemplation and the seeking of emotional quietude, the study of architecture should feature some attention to spaces that can be hoped to promote meditation, as meditation is sometimes part of the architect's own creative process. In the post-World War II era, the profession has been increasingly called upon to contribute to planning in buildings which comply with often highly conceptualized designs towards thematic transformations of whole areas.
Reviews this book by John Ruskin and Charles Jencks on the role of the artist in relation to the times he lived in, focusing Victorian England and the 20th Centur.
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 5 sources, 2002, $ 44.95
Abstract John Ruskin and Charles Jencks represent different historical conceptions of art and architecture. Ruskin in the Victorian-age of England and Jencks is in the more erratic eclecticism of the 20th century. Each critic offers particular views on the role of the artist in relation to society, however Ruskin's can be understood as one that desires to control the artist and Jencks recognizes that art is invariably a free expression of the individual. The responsibility is thus different: Ruskin believes the artist is responsible to society, and Jencks believes that society has a responsibility to the artist, in that artists represent a challenge to public perspectives and this challenge is always reflective of social change.
Abstract The following essay will consider the Greek and Roman influences on the Palace of Fine Arts, the best known of Bernard Maybeck's (1862-1957) work. This structure was built for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco, California from February 4 through December 4, 1915.
Abstract This research paper discusses Octavian also known as Caesar Augustus with respect to the New Testament and the impact on Rome of his priceless contributions.
