Undeniably, architecture and art is inseparable. Architecture houses the lives of people, who instinctively turn their heads toward beauty. Thus, architecture has gradually developed into a form of search for art. It relentlessly pursues the peaks of aesthetic performance, revealing a never-ending crave for the beautiful. The exploration has never remained still, as the perspectives of people are changing over time. Yet behind the demand for beauty, there remain flaws to be mended. Further search for the relationship between art and architecture will help us find the solution. Prior to delving into the biting reality, the artchitecture's aesthetic evolution must be analyzed.
▲ MUSAC (Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Castilla y León) in Spain. Provided by duranvirginia.wordpress.com |
▲ The ancient tomb of the Neolithic era. Provided by visitwales.com. |
▲ The Colosseum in ancient Rome. Provided by quoteinsta.com. |
▲ The Opera House. Provided by theoperahouse.org. |
▲ A rooftop garden located at the building in the Amsa 1(il)-dong. Provided bythe Gangdong-gu community center. |
▲ The Korean traditional design in architecture, danchung. Provided bydanchung.or.kr |
▲ The Bukchon Hanok Village. Photographed by Jung Woo Jae. |
▲ Architect Shin Ho Soub explaining his thoughts on architecture. Photographedby Jung Woo Jae. |
▲ The outlook of the Duruk School in Jeju-do. Provided by naverjeju.com. |
▲ The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). Provided by e-architect.co.uk. |
▲ The night view of the Gwangahn bridge. Provided by kr.newtopic.org. |
▲ Overall view of the Seoul Arts Center. The building slightly to the right fromthe center is the Opera House and the one on the very right is the ConcertHall. Provided by Huffington Post. |
▲ The Aqua-Art Bridge that is supposed to act as the solution to uncomfortableroads and transport to reach the Seoul Arts Center. Provided by Silvernet. |
Art and architecture indeed share an undeniable union. Architecture composes the living area of people, where people live, visit, and see all the time. Human nature is the pursuit of beauty, and indeed this is why people favor the beauty in architecture they contact in all of their lives. Art is often referred to as the life of architecture, which allows it to function to its full capacity. Thus many architects today still endeavor for greater beauty in contemporary architecture, and people fix their eyes on more eye-catching, stunningly beautiful buildings. The aesthetic evolution of architecture still continues to rewrite its history at this very moment.
Looking Around With A Different View
Architecture may at first seem like a concept that requires great specialty and knowledge. However, human beings are surrounded by architecture. People make architecture, and architecture in return completes them. Perhaps because it is so close to human—beings, it can be used maliciously by those in power. The effect of architecture becomes more powerful as it becomes more artistic, and its power reaches its peak when it is recognized as being artistic and influential. People should realize that such power can be used in ways that were not originally intended.
Art can be very subjective; therefore, an artistic work can be defined or interpreted in a variety of ways. Since interpretations depend on the viewer, even though the intentions of the artist may be truly artistic, some can view it as lacking artistic merit, and in some cases, the opposite can happen. Sometimes, seemingly artistic constructions cloak the complicated political influences which are applied during the process of their construction.
Park Jae-Young, a junior majoring in formative arts at the Korea National University of Arts, said that as a student studying the arts, he is very satisfied that art in architecture is becoming increasingly accepted and recognized. However, he often feels uncomfortable when he witnesses cases in which artistic architecture is intentionally used to fulfill the greed of corporations or government. He stated, "I am happy that more people are understanding how to appreciate art. However, sometimes being artistic means being elegant, and people pretend to understand art that they do not actually understand in order to appear like a member of the upper class."
Architecture is often grand in scale and requires a reasonable understanding of mathematics and technology. For this reason, meanings within artistic architecture are easier to manipulate. Since positive reactions toward artistic architecture can cover up the dirty background on which it was constructed, it can be abused by political figures, and sometimes even a whole government can deceive its citizens.
Behind The Scenes
The Seoul Arts Center (SAC) is what first springs in mind when thinking about art in Korea. While it is a greatly respected building in terms of artistic taste, not many know the background behind its construction. The SAC was constructed during the regime of President Jeon Doo Hwan. Politicians often use architecture to leave behind something cultural and artistic, and the SAC was built for this purpose, along with the Independence Hall of Korea and MMCA.
Its designer, architect Kim Seok Cheol, was unknown at the time. Although designs by more famous architects such as Kim Soo Geun or Kim Joon Yeop were put forward, Kim Seok Cheol's design was chosen because it was in perfect tune with the political intentions for the building. Prior to constructing the SAC, those in charge wanted the building to face the main road, allowing it to be seen better. Since Kim Seok Cheol's design was closest to what the administrators planned, it was chosen.
However, Kim's initial design changed, in this case because some high-ranking officials thought that it should include traditional Korean traits. The concert hall was changed to resemble a traditional Korean fan and the Opera House came to have the design of a ghat, a traditional Korean hat made out of bamboo and horse hair. The sudden modifications were criticized by architectural critics such as Lee Yong Jae, who said, "Its design is as if one put on a ghat while wearing a suit, or a fedora while wearing full dress Korean attire." Changes made to the building's design without considering the original intentions wrecked the balance that was clearly present in the initial design.
Artistic Taste VS. Realistic Practicality
Problems continued even after the construction of the main buildings was completed. Initially, the government planned to create a more convenient way to reach SAC by connecting Metro Line 3 with Nambu Bus Terminal, which is close to the art center, along with an underground shopping mall heading to the center.
In 2004, a pedestrian overpass was designed by David-Pierre Jalicon, a French architect famous for designing the Central Point Bridge in Haenam. To construct the overpass, named the Aqua-Art Bridge, 5.5 billion won was spent. As its name implies, its outer design includes water dripping from the side which looks marvelous in the sunlight. This bridge aimed to reach high levels in both art and technology. Therefore, it was built as a cable-stayed bridge. This type of bridge or pedestrian overpass is economical when constructed at a great length above water; However, in order to satisfy the artistic needs of the Military Mutual Aid Association, which funded this project, the Aqua-Art Bridge was built anyways.
Just In Korea?
Such wastes of time, money, and effort are not only found in Korea. In countries where the government is, or was, corrupt, such manipulations are often found. The Russian government, for instance, is shown to be corrupt in many aspects as President Vladimir Putin rules it with great individual power. Whether or not Putin actually has interests in architecture, the artistic meanings of the new buildings, as claimed by the government, are doing their job in covering up his trails.
Four hundred meters west of the Red Square located at the very center of Moscow, the construction of numerous skyscrapers is in progress. This was to be the new Moscow International Business Center, which is now called Moscow Skyscraper City. What was initially planned to be a new center of European business is now just a group of skyscrapers because Russian aims for business have been thwarted by international condemnation of Putin’s actions in Ukraine.
The night view of the Moskva City reveals the beauty of modern architecture. The shimmering light from the uncompleted buildings makes one anxious for their completion, imagining the moment the completed art of lights from these skyscrapers in the center of Moscow can be seen. Even the Russian government has shown its expectations regarding the Moscow Skyscraper City. However, behind its potentially grand beauty, there are issues regarding its practicality. Russia's task seems to be to find a way to raise Moskva City's level of realistic usage.
The increasing appreciation and recognition of artistic architecture is certainly great to see. However, whether these appreciations and intentions of artistic designs are truly and solely based on art is questionable, regarding the hidden stories that the public hears years after construction is completed. Appreciation for artistic architecture should remain as appreciation. Once art becomes more important than the practicality of the construction, the building or structure just becomes a waste of money.