Since this is an appreciation of art and visual literacy course, I will often be posting artwork for the class to analyze, interpret and discuss. This week we learned about architecture + urban design on a deeper level and were introduced to a variety of its related construction material types and styles. I want the class to spend some time considering what we learned this week in application to the artwork below.
Please deeply consider the Guggenheim building in New York, NY, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and then please answer the below inquiry areas:
- Please elaborate on the artistic medium. This week we completed a detailed introduction to ARCHITECTURE + URBAN DESIGN. Perform a detailed analysis to include the below inquiry areas:
- Is this structure an example of architecture or urban design?
- What material did Frank Lloyd Wright use? How do you know? [stone, wood, cast iron, steel, concrete, or new materials]
- Is this an example of stone architecture, wood architecture, cast iron architecture, steel cage architecture, reinforced concrete architecture, steel cable architecture, or green building construction?
- What is unique about this structure? What stands out to you? What do you appreciate most about the exterior or the interior?
- Needless to say, the local team Frank worked with doubted whether this structure was possible to build. He went through various challenges, and at times seemed it would be shut down. Over and over again he had to prove his point and influence people to believe in his design. Why do you think this was?
- Please spend some time thinking about the formal components of this artwork (Chapters 1-6: Line, Shape, Color, Value, Texture, Space, Time, Motion, etc.)
- Attached below in the discussion guidelines section, you will find a “visual analysis guide.” Each week, prior to this one, we did a formal analysis of the art through the lens of the chapter’s focus areas. For the rest of the semester, things will be less guided. You will use the attached guide as a review to all the new terms and areas covered, and I want you to choose (2) major areas to focus on and discuss here. Instead of me telling you “analyze this artwork for line“, for example, your challenge will be to understand what elements of art and principles of design are most applicable and interesting when considering the artwork identified for discussion. This will help you transition to talking about art at museums and galleries much more naturally. Enjoy the challenge! This is also great prep for the final exam.
- What is the content/concept of this artwork (the ideas and intellectual interpretations)?
- [ Hints – The following are additional questions to get you thinking but they do not need to be individually answered: What ideas do you think this artist is trying to express about the building design? What is the intellectual interpretation? Is there symbolism or iconography? Think about the subject in relation to the elements of art and principles of design we’ve been learning about this semester.