o r n a m e n t a t i o n
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a r c h i t e c t u r e
Ornament, in dictionary, ornament is a thing that enhanced something look more attractive and usually having no practical purpose. In my opinion, ornaments perhaps the most distinguishing aspect of ornament is its function as symbol but it deeply contains the myths and belief that define the culture and even that ornament symbolize that time’s era, it both construction of meaning and an enabler of the construction meaning. Ornament may not contribute a huge physically, let us call this physical function, but it gave function in a mentally way or spiritually which play important role in architecture fields. Ornament as well can be part of many types of decoration. When comes to architecture, in the past it already started the idea of decorative art, ornament is a decoration used to embellish parts of the building.
Ornament may symbolize luxury. This is due to labor cost increase on its production if there is more ornamented on the building. Thus, architectural ornaments will be more expensive. In this fast developing 21st centuries, technology is vital in today's world and it makes everything easier.
When people reached a point of thinking, is ornament for the most part technological? some might say economic, cultural, environmental, or even artistic task, it could be so combination within these thoughts. From my view, it could be a combination within these, something that the origin is simple or nothing, if apply on a material of the ornament will bring out the decoration or other purpose. There is a phrase from the article “Ornament and Crime” by Adolf Loos – “I do not accept the objection that ornament is a source of increased pleasure in life for cultured people “, I’m totally disagree with that point of view, there are a lot contemporary architects and cultural centre using the function of ornament to serve as a bridge between different historical era, culture and spaces. Such as Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada decided to expand to better accommodate more history within it walls. Designed by Studio Daniel Libeskind, the extension is known as the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal.
Foundation Louis Vuitton, - Frank Gehry
However, there is also some architecture that tries to minimize ornamentation by using raw materials. They are not polished and redefined by craftsmanship, instead, they allow the rawness of
materials to age charmingly and cohabits with nature. This design approach is the extreme of the modernist movement, they use little to no ornaments to prove their concept. There are not even the extravagant finishes to cover up the nakedness and unpleasant aspects of building parts due to craftsmanship or building defects. As an alternative, they exposed those weakness proudly without many finishes. To these designers/architect, they think any cover ups of other material are ornamented decorations, and they should be avoided that. Moreover, by exposing the nakedness, it will also expose the workmanship and the beauty of the material itself.
" It's a fantastic responsibility and a wonderful moment " - Daniel Libeskind
In my opinion, I like idea of ornaments in contemporary architecture. It just shows how aesthetic the building in the way of architectural. Also, ornament has never disappeared, it represents human’s culture and the evolution of architecture in every generation. Through this evolution in architecture, ornament has been simplified and merge with the building as a whole. Ornament are used today in a form to represent the image and background of the country. Architects had learnt how to achieve the aesthetic value by simplify the ornament and make use of it.
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