Today
in art we discussed the differences between 2-d and 3-d artwork and focused on
architecture. Architecture is different from sculpture in that it is
functional and serves a purpose, you can walk in it, be protected by it. Architecture is a very special art form that combines
something that is beautiful with something that is useful. Thomas
Jefferson, our third president, was fascinated by architecture and thought it
the ideal form of art for the new American democracy. He was worried that forms
of art such as painting and sculpture depended on the patronage of a special
and privileged class of wealthy people -- sometimes even kings and queens --
which he thought would be very harmful to the ideals of this country. When
Jefferson was still a young man and newly married, he began drawing detailed
plans for a beautiful home on a very large piece of land he had inherited in
the Blue Ridge Mountains in the state of Virginia. Jefferson was
inspired by classical motifs he saw while in Europe. We compared his
Monticello with the Parthenon in Greece and the University of Virginia with the
Pantheon in Rome. This new style of architecture is called neoclassical,
borrowing elements of classic architecture like symmetry, columns, and domes.
The students
were given the assignment to imagine they had been given a large piece of
property on which they are to build a town. They are to reference the
architectural styles we discussed in class for ideas (printout they brought
home) and come up with a design for the mayor’s home of this new town.
They are to complete a pencil drawing using necessary tools: rulers and
compasses. They are to choose a location for their town and also plan
what materials the building will be made with (the design of the exterior).
Next class we will color these in.
