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7/27/2019 Art Nouveau against culture.pdf
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History of Architecture (AP313) | Term Paper | 2013
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Art nouveauA rebellion against tradition
Term Paper for History of Architecture (AP131)
Ravideep Singh
Roll Number: 07216901611
Sushant School of Art and Architecture
ABSTRACT
Art nouveau, the movement begun by several artists and designers who
were rebelling against the neoclassical art movements of the past, which
were heavily based on symmetry and geometric forms defied the classic
at various levels.Proponents of Art Nouveau architecture turned against
references to classical Greek and Roman standards that had been
popular during most of the 1800s. They were driven to throw off strict
and formal philosophies of art. Instead, architects who designed Art
Nouveau buildings found their inspiration in the expressive lines and
shapes of nature, especially from flowers and other plant life. (1)
The art nouveau movement can be seen as fine example of how a
curiosity for distinction gave rise to a widespread movement which
eventually became a revolution and paved way for modern architecture.
Art nouveaus rebellion against the classics can be cited through thedominant asymmetry in its structures, making a statement of distinction
from the classical. The Castel Beranger, Paris exemplifies asymmetry
breaking away simplistic and constrained ideals of the classical style.
Much of art nouveau architecture also used plant-like tendrils and reliefs
in the architectural designs. Oftentimes, these homage to plants were
curvy and asymmetrical, keeping with the art nouveau theme. Another
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History of Architecture (AP313) | Term Paper | 2013
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contradiction to neoclassical was the use of new materials and varied
use of the conventional materials. (1)
Proponents of Art Nouveau intended it to be a non-elitist style of art that
did not draw distinctions between fine arts like painting and sculpture,
and applied arts like ceramics and metalworking. Art Nouveau style was
applied to rugs, furniture, textiles, wallpaper, lamps and graphic design,
which did not happen in the past. For this reason, Art Nouveau was a
style available to a wide number of people and became widespread by
challenging the ideals of the classics. (2)
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PAPER
Art nouveaus rebellion
Art nouveau, the movement which was motivated by the search for a new style did not
depend on any of the styles of the past. Rather it began exploring a completely
different philosophy, which defied the classical tradition in many ways. It was extensive
practiced in two languages, namely, rationalistic and organic but nevertheless, both
sustained its rebellion against the traditional classics. (1)
Asymmetry is one of the most identifiable features of the Art nouveau. Because art
nouveau was a rebellion against the geometric forms and symmetric elements of the
movement that preceded it, neoclassicism. Many art nouveau buildings exhibit a quality
of surrealism with bends and twists not typically found in buildings made before the
movement.
Dominant asymmetry in art nouveau
Source:http://www.flickr.com/photos/gerard_michel/7021232589/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gerard_michel/7021232589/http://www.flickr.com/photos/gerard_michel/7021232589/http://www.flickr.com/photos/gerard_michel/7021232589/http://www.flickr.com/photos/gerard_michel/7021232589/7/27/2019 Art Nouveau against culture.pdf
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The Glasgow school building is a towering rectangular block with almost no
decoration, an austere statement and bold break away from the traditional methods
of architectural adornment with a rationalistic approach Its lack of obvious historical
references, the apparent over-scaling of the windows, the lack of classical references,
the absence of sculptural embellishments and an asymmetrical facade. (4)
Glasgow school building
Source:http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Glasgow_School_of_Art.html
The facades of the four main elevations are each different and every interior and
exterior aspect of the building is meticulously detailed. It is an original and important
building, has been described as 'a bold barrier against the tide of revivalism and
historicism'. The black metal fence around the north frontage is interspersed with sparssurmounted by cryptic roundels depicting stylized insect and animal forms. (4)
The Athens academy Building, In contrast, displays characteristics of the traditional
Ionian rhythm. Its central part is designed along the lines of an amphiprostyle temple.
The Building of the Athens Academy has a rich sculptural decoration. The main
sculptural decoration is found on the pediment of the entrance to the Academy. On
either side of the building there are two 4m high Statues: On the right that of Apollo
the guitar-player and on the left that of Athena the defender. Both are mounted on
pillars in the Ionian rhythm. (3)
http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Glasgow_School_of_Art.htmlhttp://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Glasgow_School_of_Art.htmlhttp://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Glasgow_School_of_Art.htmlhttp://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Glasgow_School_of_Art.html7/27/2019 Art Nouveau against culture.pdf
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The centre of Athens, the Academy
Source :http://europeantimeinacapsule.blogspot.in/2010/11/working-visit-in-athens.html
The genre of adornment in Glasgows school building is completely opposite to the one
found in the Athens academy building. The use of classical Greek symbols had been
replaced by hand-guard forms of the elaborate metal brackets on the windows of the
front facade. These metal brackets are poetic, each one taking a different form and
seeming to grow organically and yet entirely practical, acting as braces for the
mullions of the studio windows and window cleaning platforms.
ELEVATION- The Glasgow School ELEVATION- the Athens academyBuilding
Source:http://www.panoramio.com/photo/75491801
The materials used to create art nouveau buildings were as unique as the structures
themselves. For the first time ever, materials such as bricks, ceramics, glass and iron
were being used in new ways -- being bent, twisted and curved -- purely for aesthetic
purposes, and having little or nothing to do with functionality.
Use of modern materials and techniques such as the large, industrial, braced windowsand innovative use of electric light and sealed unit construction in the Glasgows school
building is contrasted by the use of materials like marble. (3)
http://europeantimeinacapsule.blogspot.in/2010/11/working-visit-in-athens.htmlhttp://europeantimeinacapsule.blogspot.in/2010/11/working-visit-in-athens.htmlhttp://europeantimeinacapsule.blogspot.in/2010/11/working-visit-in-athens.htmlhttp://www.panoramio.com/photo/75491801http://www.panoramio.com/photo/75491801http://www.panoramio.com/photo/75491801http://www.panoramio.com/photo/75491801http://europeantimeinacapsule.blogspot.in/2010/11/working-visit-in-athens.html7/27/2019 Art Nouveau against culture.pdf
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Braced windows Use of Marble
Source:http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Glasgow_School_of_Art.html
As the movement progressed; It sought a fresh analysis of function, a close study of
natural forms and a new aesthetic. It is true that the outer reaches of Art Nouveau arefull of mindless pattern-making but there was, at and around the centre, a marvelous
sequence of works in which the decorative and the functional fuse to novel and
compelling effect.
With its undulating faade and surrealist sculptural roof, Antoni Gaudis Casa Mil
appears more organic than artificial, exemplifying the organic approach of art
nouveau. Structurally, the building is divided between structure and skin. The stone
faade has no load-bearing function. Steel beams with the same curvature support the
facades weight by attaching to the structure. This allowed Gaudi to design the faade
without structural constraints, and ultimately enabled his conception of a continuously
curved faade. (2) (5)
The Casa Mila
Source:http://www.all-art.org/Architecture/23-18.htm
Jeffersons elevation of the first Monticello depicts a rather boxy building. A central
block of two stories, each with projecting columned porticoes, is flanked by full-height
wings on the lower level and an attic on the upper. A plan of the first floor which he
executed about the same time depicts the wings terminating in semi-octagonal bays
which are in complete contrast to casa Mila, of the art nouveau which hosts curvilinear
profile in its planning. (5)
http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Glasgow_School_of_Art.htmlhttp://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Glasgow_School_of_Art.htmlhttp://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Glasgow_School_of_Art.htmlhttp://www.all-art.org/Architecture/23-18.htmhttp://www.all-art.org/Architecture/23-18.htmhttp://www.all-art.org/Architecture/23-18.htmhttp://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Glasgow_School_of_Art.html7/27/2019 Art Nouveau against culture.pdf
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West Front of Monticello from South Terrace
Source:http://www.monticello.org/
The classic use of symmetry, the stately brick exterior and the homes center-hall floor
plan albeit on a grand scale. The full-height front porch is supported by a row of Doric
even in number. The doorways often have decorative surrounds and pediments, the
triangular section found above the entranceway which is typical of the neoclassical
style. (6)
ELEVATION- the Monticello ELEVATION- the Casa
Mila
Source2http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Monticello_original_front_elevation_drawing_1771.jpeg:
Source1:http://www.flickr.com/photos/sftrajan/5170339497/in/photostream/lightbox/
http://www.monticello.org/http://www.monticello.org/http://www.monticello.org/http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Monticello_original_front_elevation_drawing_1771.jpeghttp://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Monticello_original_front_elevation_drawing_1771.jpeghttp://www.flickr.com/photos/sftrajan/5170339497/in/photostream/lightbox/http://www.flickr.com/photos/sftrajan/5170339497/in/photostream/lightbox/http://www.flickr.com/photos/sftrajan/5170339497/in/photostream/lightbox/http://www.flickr.com/photos/sftrajan/5170339497/in/photostream/lightbox/http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Monticello_original_front_elevation_drawing_1771.jpeghttp://www.monticello.org/7/27/2019 Art Nouveau against culture.pdf
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The elevation of Casa Mila is in complete contrast to those of the Monticello, rebelling
the dominant symmetry of the classical and displays a completely different notion of
curviness.
The idea of art nouveau architecture to rebel against the tradition was to make way
for newer materials that could bring more efficiency in the buildings. Art Nouveau has
made a large use of glass for functional and sanitary factors: making luminous living
areas. Several buildings use a glass roof for zenithal light: House Van de Velde and
House Horta in Brussels. Decoration factors i.e. Use of stain glasses also promoted the
use of glass. Even Materials such as cast iron, steel and concrete etc gained popularity
during the art Nouveau era.
Horta's house inBrussels
Source:http://artnouveau.pagesperso-orange.fr/en/roots.htm
Art nouveau aimed to erase the distinction between major and minor arts. They aimed
at unifying all arts, centering them around man and his life. Therefore architecture,
which has a direct influence on man's life, was the central art on which every skill isnaturally integrated. Architecture is seen as a total art; every detail, every object in or
on the building is related to the whole, Contrary to what happened in the past, where
art and architecture were considered radically different with no relation. The
movement gained rhythm initially but fell in about ten years, probably because of its
limited customer base. It had never been a widespread style, since the best works were
costly and unsuited to mass manufacture, Art Nouveau was a pivotal development in
the history of art, particularly in architecture. By rejecting conventional style and
redefining the relationship of art to industry, its practitioners helped prepare the way
for the advent of modern art and architecture.
http://artnouveau.pagesperso-orange.fr/en/villes/brussels.htmhttp://artnouveau.pagesperso-orange.fr/en/villes/brussels.htmhttp://artnouveau.pagesperso-orange.fr/en/villes/brussels.htmhttp://artnouveau.pagesperso-orange.fr/en/villes/brussels.htmhttp://artnouveau.pagesperso-orange.fr/en/villes/brussels.htmhttp://artnouveau.pagesperso-orange.fr/en/roots.htmhttp://artnouveau.pagesperso-orange.fr/en/roots.htmhttp://artnouveau.pagesperso-orange.fr/en/roots.htmhttp://artnouveau.pagesperso-orange.fr/en/roots.htmhttp://artnouveau.pagesperso-orange.fr/en/villes/brussels.htmhttp://artnouveau.pagesperso-orange.fr/en/villes/brussels.htmhttp://artnouveau.pagesperso-orange.fr/en/villes/brussels.htm7/27/2019 Art Nouveau against culture.pdf
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Bibliography1. mcnish, Thomas. www.ehow,com. [Online] [Cited: 0ct 7, 2013.]
http://www.ehow.com/info_8130751_elements-art-nouveau-architecture.html.
2. Duncan, Alastair.Art Nouveau. s.l. : Thames and hudson Ltd, 1994.
3. A DETAILED GEOMETRIC DOCUMENTATION . [Online] [Cited: 0ct 10, 2013.]
http://www.isprs.org/proceedings/XXXVI/part5/paper/1231_Dresden06.pdf.
4. GILLON, JK. [Online] [Cited: oct 7, 2013.] http://gillonj.tripod.com/MacKintosh/.
5. unesco. whc.unesco.org. [Online] united nations. [Cited: oct 11, 2013.]
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/442.
6. Douglas Trattner. [Online] oct 11, 2013. http://www.frontdoor.com/home-styles/neoclassical-
architecture.
7. www.architecture.com. [Online] [Cited: oct 7, 2013.]
http://www.architecture.com/HowWeBuiltBritain/HistoricalPeriods/Scottish/CharlesRennieMackintosh/
GlasgowSchoolOfArt-Exterior.aspx#.UlWnr1CSAZc.