“We arrange around us material forms which communicate to us what we need - but are at constant risk of forgetting we need... " Alain de Botton, The architecture of Happiness.
 |
| Acute ornamental deficiency |
If only the jetpack commuter of the 21st century
were a stunning reality today, then indeed, _Ornament and craft in our
surroundings could be regard with derision.
Yet, here we are - 2013, and we’re still confined to a sluggish
planar existence of sidewalks and streets. Fortunately, with increased
appreciation by designers and planners that a livable city is comprised of
suitable, dignified and pleasing pedestrian realms, it’s , therefore fiting at
this juncture to reconsider the visual austerity and monotony, which mid-century
architecture enfolded considerable portion of our pedestrian sphere. Adage such as; Less is More and Ornament is
Crime, inspired a reductive, even dehumanizing aesthetic which came to dominate
the “modernized” quarters of cities. To some extent, these conditions were and
remain, largely, a response to the preeminence of private automobiles and the difficulties
of storing so much steel and rubber; nonetheless, a renaissance of walkable cities
should herald a responsive architectonics suited to a bipedal creature which posssesses an
inherent penchant for stimulating environments.
 |
|
Even before permanent settlements or the concept of a built
environment, there’s been a longing to replicate aspects of the natural or
dream worlds in our surroundings.
|
 |
|
Minimalism is a lofty objective for some design
professionals. However, this principle seems incongruent with human nature.
Almost instinctively youngsters eschew coloring books and take their creative
expression to the alluring qualities of a blank wall.
|
 |
|
Significant ornamentation (mosque) - Not even divine
mandates restricting the use of some imagery restrained human’s fanciful
imagination. Manmade structure seem destined to approximate the richness
and complexity of the natural world.
|
 |
|
Alongside the Classical Orders, architectural aesthetics
have made extensive use of a variety of flora and fauna motifs. |
 |
|
No funtional application - a diminutive scroll pattern for the amusement of the keen
passersby
|
 |
|
Vandalism or art?
Certainly no consensus for the foreseeable future,
nevertheless, today’s graffiti aesthetic owes its appeal, in large part, to
urban decay and to the purveyors of mediocrity as novel design. |
