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crazydiamond
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Architecture-does it reflect our culture?
June 29, 2008 - 05:47 AM
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We all know what the definition of architecture is- This conception exist for thousand of years-Egyptians built such buildings we "wonder" even nowadays with all the technology we have how they made it. All the mighty pyramids expressed the grateness of a ruler and also of a nation, later on styles of architecture changed till this day. Now we admire all the works from the past and try to build newer and taller, more daring buildings. There are so many constructions and so little place on this earth now-we want to build up every little idylic corner on this earth, that is too sad to think about it-everyone wants to have its own house to live in, wich is all nice and shiny, but not to our nature-ok, but this is another thread to discuss.
What i want to ask here is-does architecture reflect an identity of a certain culture?
I, personally, think that it did and it still does (in some cultures it still does), but generally it is slowly dissappearing because of the globalisation. Everything is becoming similar. Take a look in the music industry- some centuries back you could distinct english music from german etc, because of its characteristic-you could say, look, this wrote an english composer etc, but now because of a hollywood etc. and globalisation every nation that had its own "style, wibe, soul" of music puts the "american" and "english" influences in it (everybody wants to sing in english and wants to have some r'n'b etc. rhytms in it)- this is just a comparison. I think its sth the same with architecture. Before ppl lived more or less "happily" on its own land, were proud of it and build houses in a style that was best for those conditions they lived in, it showed how uniquely they were thinking. Yes, there were probably influences from other lands back there too, but not present as much as they are now. At least that is how it's in my country. How is it in yours? In mine there are old, beautifull and typical houses that are falling apart, are under the protection-they can't be pulled down, but ppl get a licence to build a new house near the old one-sadly.
So, my statement was that an architecture reflects a culture, it shows a prosperity of it, a nobility, refinement, order ... Does it really? What do you think?
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Paul Yox
Joined: Jun 28, 2008
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Re: Architecture-does it reflect our culture?
June 29, 2008 - 05:22 PM
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Architecture reflects more than anything else, I believe, the identity of a culture. Who the people are can be directly related to what they build. Their way of life is reflected through architecture in various ways. I also agree that cultural architecture is disappearing because of globalization. Living in the United States, I can relate very well to the globalization part. There is no history in the town in which I live. Where I live is no different than the hundreds of small towns around it. There is a Wal-Mart, a Starbucks, etc. Nothing is historic, nothing. In other places in the world, cultural architecture is more predominant, I assume. However, this is rapidly changing.
The point of this is that I do believe that architecture does reflect an order of a culture, the refinement you speak of. Even today, it obvious that this is the case. Relating to America, we are seemingly a very disorderly country. And our architecture? A collection of big corporations and chains in each city. Large cities like Chicago and New York are crammed with large buildings that have no style, no class, and are built for the sole purpose of making money. This style is taking over the world as globalization takes place, and as mass collaboration becomes a norm. Countries have no choice but to participate or be left behind in the global trends. This is the world we live in, individual cultures are replaced with a standardized global business platform. Architecture is still an important part of culture, but when culture is disappearing, it is hard to retain identity. This new form of architecture seems to be prosperous for the world as a whole, but destroying identity? I think the changing architecture is a red flag for some of the under-laying problems that will face the world in the near future.
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Ioana
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Re: Architecture-does it reflect our culture?
July 3, 2008 - 11:37 AM
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yockyock wrote:
There is no history in the town in which I live. Where I live is no different than the hundreds of small towns around it. There is a Wal-Mart, a Starbucks, etc. Nothing is historic, nothing. In other places in the world, cultural architecture is more predominant, I assume.
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Well, in other parts of the world where "cultural architecture is more predominant" we have the same situation - I mean towns in the same region are pretty much identical.
And I think you have a type of culture - it's the Wal-Mart and Starbucks culture. Because that is a type of culture too.
It is true, however, that now Starbucks are everywhere, but I've heard that wherever they go their stores have some local touch. It's that thing they call "local global"...
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aya abdelrahim
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Re: Architecture-does it reflect our culture?
July 7, 2008 - 06:14 PM
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well , absolutley Architecture is the mirror of the society phase and it reflects the culture identity of the country and it also reflect the political , economical , religious & social state , it is considered to be a kind of documentation in some sort. i agree with you all about the idea of globalization and how it affected the style of the buildings , they are all the same now , but still it reflects how far the country succeeded in mastering the materials and have the ability to utilise diffrent resources in order to get the best of it, i admit that due to the globalization that occurs and the big inventions and the emigrations of professionals and scientists , also the exchanging of science & knowladge itself is one of the reasons behind changing the features of architecture..
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