Philosophy of Art: How Architecture Express Values

Philosophy of Art Final Paper
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Philosophy of Art Final Paper
How Architecture Express Values
Architecture is one of the most expressive forms of art. In the modern context, architecture is often viewed from a professional point of view. However, the diversity and distinctions in architecture illustrate its expressive nature, which acts as a worldview. For instance, architecture varies from culture to culture, whereby it expresses the core values and the worldview of its respective culture. Consequently, the relevance of architecture extends beyond providing mere shelter, thereby setting the stage and context of the core values regarded in people's lives. This explains why people have different feelings and regard for different architectures.
Architecture expresses various values because physical forms have character. Wolfflin (1886) argues that we relate to architecture bodily, an aspect of architecture that expresses various values. On most occasions, architecture is viewed in terms of its commonality with human traits. Wolfflin takes an example of how columns have attributes and serves a purpose almost similar to that of human beings. Columns carry loads and experience a lot of pressure, an attribute that is relatable to human experiences. In addition, they seem to manifest a balance between rising energy and the downward pressure of the weight they support. From this perspective, humans can compare themselves to columns, and they can observe various values expressed by architecture from the observation and analysis of columns.
The perception of architecture as animate forms provides a channel through which it expresses different values and attributes held in its respective society. Wolfflin (1886) articulates that the animate perception of architecture allows it to express sentient soul, an aspect that makes it easy to anthropomorphize them. This aspect is evident in the way architecture is described; for example, various segments of architecture are given animate attributes such as the back, head, and foot, among others. In addition, Wolfflin outlines that human relationship to the world, including architecture, through some sort of empathy. Consequently, humans are in the apposition to feel the forces and the energies that play out in the physical world. Architecture expresses various values in its response and interaction with these forces and energies. The well-being of architecture is determined from the perspective and dimensions that manifest well-being among humans.
Aesthetics is another way through which architecture expresses various values. Wolfflin (1886) outlines those aesthetics are a reflection of the organic life in a particular society. This implies that one might learn volumes about a particular society from observation and analysis of architecture. A good example is the Egyptian pyramids. These architectures portray how the ancient Egyptian society regarded its ruler, the vastness of their land, their religion, and the building materials used during the pre-modern era. Also, the aesthetics in Ancient Chinese architecture communicates volumes about the values and customs of classical Chinese society (Barm&eac...