E,G,R Summary

1. Lessons in architecture and design in Egypt?


Due to the face that Egypt was effected and influenced by the Nile, a lot of their architecture was ornated by things such as the lotus plant. Also, religion and power depicted the scale of a building and also the amount of people are allowed inside.
Light was constantly manipulated during this time as well. Buildings became a symbol of dominance.

2. Lessons in architecture and design in Greece?


Grecians focus solely on perfection. How to get the right proportions so that the building would be precise and have a mathematical unity. While they concentrated of the perfection, they also calmed the ornation around the building so that nothing would take away from the architecture itself. Like the Egyptians, religion, power and light were often taken into high consideration.

3. Lessons in architecture and design in Rome?


The Romans basically took the latter two societies and perfected them. They worked to develop the oculus and the roman archway. However, with the development and adaptation of Christianity, the ornation changed along the the amount of sacredness instilled inside the building. The interiors became as important if not more than the exterior. The walls were painted with actual pictures instead of hieroglyphics.

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Reading Comprehension 2 for IAR222

1.) Hersey describes a grammar for Greek architectural elements based on the idea of sacrifice. SPECULATE about the validity of his argument based on what you know about Greek design and the evidence (both visual and written) he provides.

Hersey poses a strong argument about the sacrificial practices having the main impact on Greek architecture. However religion does pull a strong load in any society or culture. Every society is looking for some higher power to prove themselves to, especially the Greek.
The architecture pictured in the image of the column is an example. In reading page 23 of the Hersey document, it states that the most sacrificial part of a column is the head. It also goes on to say that Ionic and Corinthian capitals are dressed with head garlands representing the plants and the animals used during the ceremony. The plants are clearly represented, but the animal (the bull) is more abstractly symbolized with the twisted locks.
In the other image is it apparent that animals maintain a dominant role in the Greek culture. In depicting that the animal is larger than the human, it symbolizes the holistic affect that animals carry.

2.) Meant in jest, Macaulay shapes a world of the future in which the main character claims meanings for archeological evidence uncovered at the Motel of the Mysteries. EXTRACT what you believe to be the lesson of mis-interpreting evidence and link that lesson to the real world phenomenon of the internet. In other words, EXPLAIN how you might avoid such a blunder as mis-reading evidence when you use the web as your major information source.

When a Macaulay first wrongly interpreted the first piece of evidence, he became so headstrong on thinking it was one thing when actually it was another. Tunnel vision so to speak. He began to manipulate everything he found into fitting into this theory before he weighed out all basic hypotheses.  The internet is a prime example of misinterpretation. Anyone can put anything they want on the web. Take Wikipedia for a great example. It comes up usually as the second or third link when you search something. And while some of the information is correct, not all of it is. Any person can login to the website and manipulate the page. It is true for many websites, especially personally made websites. When searching for information, in order to obtain correct data, a valid resources must be found. It is important to search an accredited site such as NCWISE OWL or something to that nature.
If archeologist found a site of ancient Egyptian remains, they would first gather all the information, look at the resources they have already collected from that era and then propose multiple hypotheses to eventually develop into a theory. While they may have some clue to what it may be, they first have to weight out all possibilities.
Research is a vital role in completing any task on the internet. Wether it is buying a book sack on Ebay or researching for an Iarc project a person must look around and weigh out the possibilities that some of the information is false.

3.) The funerary temple design of Queen Hatshepsut speaks a very different design language than the pyramidal forms for other pharaohs. From your readings and the ideas addressed in class, RECOUNT possible reasons why Queen Hatshepsut used this building form.
 

 

Hatshepsut was a very strong pharaoh there is no doubt about that, but she was a female. Therefore, she had to stand out in her dominance. While her tomb still posses the same characteristics as the other pharaohs by using stacking, repetition and stone, her location is quite different from the others. Other pharaohs like the ones that created the pyramids made it a point to stand out amongst the world. Their use in limestone also glorified their temple, allowing it to shine and give the illusion of a mirage in the desert. Hatshepsut did exactly the opposite. Her temple was constructed in the side of a mountain, thus making her a part of her surroundings. She also used horizontal stacking as opposed to a more vertical approach.
She also made her entrance way known by using a ramp like method. Her temple was also created after her death instead of during her reign like most.
Hatshepsut is applauded for uniting all of Egypt that was once separated into three parts: upper, middle, and lower. So I often wonder if she united herself with the land around her instead of making a dramatic appearance in the desert so that the people would feel as it she wasn’t trying to boast about her reign and to been seen as a more peer like figure. However, I am not taking away from her that her temple isn’t a marvel. Her approach to architecture is a more subtle form than other pharaohs.
But then again I also often wonder if she didn’t create a high point atop of her temple to silently suggest that she was “as good” as the gods. Just something to ponder.


4.)  Although some evidence suggests links between the Egyptian and Greek civilizations, and some building forms and details provide support for that linkage, the two societies produced design responses in great contrast to one another. Select a building type (house, tomb, or temple) from each culture and ELUCIDATE similarities and differences in the two forms over time. Provide an annotated illustration for each selected type. 

 

The image on the left is of the Hypostyle Hall constructed in Egypt, the image on the left is of the Parthenon in Greece. The Parthenon was constructed after the Hypostyle Hall.
The Hypostyle was constructed around the basis of power and religion. The extreme size of the building immediately sends off the vibe that this hall was a dominant part of the Egyptian society. It was also a place of worship. The building’s interior possessed a strong religious experience when walking in due to it’s manipulation of natural light through clerestory windows as well as the narrow walkways and high ceilings. However, not all people could walk inside the hall. Only high priests and pharaohs were allowed to enter.
The same is true for the Parthenon. Inside the structure was a huge statue in honor of the goddess Athena. There is some speculation on the exact amount of light that was let in through clerestory-like windows because of so much erosion. Other than those possible windows, the only other natural light in the building can when the entrance door was opened allowing the vast golden statue to provide a phenomenal glow. However, much like the Hypostyle Hall, the commoners of the time couldn’t enter.
Both buildings also force the viewer to progress on an axis.
In addition, both structures are formed mainly on the basis of of colonnades. While they may differ at the head, the overall shape is very similar. However, it is clear to see that the Greeks were more about the perfection of the building and the correct position, whereas the Egyptians were about celebrating the life around them. The Hypostyle Hall’s columns are designed around the lotus plant found near the Nile, and the Parthenon is designed solely for the purpose of celebrating Athena.

5.) Harwood shows examples of Egyptian furniture on pp. 60-61. HYPOTHESIZE about the lightweight nature of Egyptian furniture when compared to tomb architecture, as at the Pyramids of Giza, which many characterize as massive and heavy.

 

The furniture during the Egyptian time was very light weight especially compared to the pyramids. Both used simple shapes, but they way they are composed is what has a major effect on the way people view them. For instance, the Furniture in the images are predominantly hollow forms. And while they do have some detail, they are not over done by any means. There are also no harsh lines, only smooth, curved surfaces.
Opposite that are the Pyramids of Giza. They are somewhat hollow forms yes, but the viewer can’t see that first hand. They also use very bold angles and a great deal of precision. While it is known that they were once covered in limestone and adorned with hieroglyphics becoming an more gaudy object.
Both the furniture and the pyramids can be traced back to the sacrificial religious practices of the Egyptians. During these ceremonies, animals were used as the sacrifice to the gods. Flowers and fruits were used in the celebration as well.But more so, the sacrifice’ s remains are the main focus. The remains of any animal or human went through a process in which the bones were separated from the body as well as the organs. Each body part went through a sacred system. While the furniture is a celebration in honor of these sacrifices, the place in which they are buried in the hope of coming back to life once again took dominance. Therefore, it bares a much heavier meaning.

6.) Based on a careful reading of the visual evidence in these two images, DRAW OUT an explanation of design and gender roles as you see both depicted. As this language of urns represents essentially one of the main ways we know about Grecian culture, COMMENT on the validity of such a practice of reading evidence.

 

It is apparent more in the black and white urn that women played a catering role more so than a dominant role that the men did in Grecian culture. Looking closer at both, it is shown that the women are waiting on the men. While the men sit in their seat the women are bringing them things. The women are also depicted in a proper posture while the male figures are slouched in their chair. The dress of the male is also close to naked in one and completely nude in the other, meanwhile the woman is covered. With this being stated, it  symbolizes that the males of Grecian culture are free to do practically whatever they would like while the females have to withhold an appropriate demeanor. 

Unit One: Point.Theories

The image above is of Queen Hatshepsut’s burial tomb. It was constructed over the years that she was empowered from 1479 to 1458 BC. This tomb is a great representation of the way buildings were constructed in the Egyptian world that evolved from earlier achievements. The vast use of materials and the precise measurements is something to praise in the architectural world.
This building meets all three of the conditions that Sir Henry Wotton said a great building should have: commodity, firmness, and delight. Even though it was used solely as a burial sight, it is large enough to host a numerous amounts of events. It is apparent that it is a very well built building since it has withstood over 1,000 years and counting. Furthermore, the very aesthetically appealing. Looking from a distance, the geometric precision can be seen, but when taking a closer look, the reliefs and statues are phenomenal.
There is no doubt that there were many successes and failures while constructing this building along with the previous ancestral creations. There is evidence that Stonehenge was developed after creating a serious of models. The development of scale models was a great advancement both in the way the people worked and also in the development of their mental capacity. It became a better way to communicate ideas. More so, the designers were able to physically see if their design was pleasing to them, whether it would withstand certain conditions, etc.
It is also apparent that in looking at the history of architecture and they way people are affected by it that it is a commonality amongst them. Everything is constructed for a reason, for the reasons people see it fit, but in most cases, someone else will visit and fall in love with it for different reasons. For instance, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water was constructed as a retirement villa for the Kaufmanns. Now that same house is a historical landmark. Not only is it a marvel because of its location and its use of material. It also serves as a great teaching tool to architects and designers world wide. When entering, the viewer is instantly taken back by the use of wood and the overall height of everything. Almost all of the furniture is constructed into the house, leaving a lasting impression of the designer into the home. In a sense, one could compare the built-in furniture to the hieroglyphics previous civilizations used.
Anyone can design a building. It is what is taken into consideration that sets it apart from all others. The architect or designer must always have a sense of how the building is going to interact with its surroundings and what materials it will be constructed with. They must also take into consideration who is going to use the facility, is it going to be a public or private place, how will people move in and out of the rooms, is there axial progression throughout. All these questions need answers before a building will ever have a chance of standing the so called “tests of time” to becoming a spectacle to the world around it and the world to come.