What I have learned from Geometry, Art and Architecture

While most of my focus has been on specifically Roman architecture over the last trimester, I have also learned a lot about art and architecture in general, and I have enjoyed the class because it gave me the opportunity to do and learn things, that I maybe never would.

The first instance of this that comes to mind is the platonic shapes project. I probably would have never done origami had it not been for that project. I had always thought of origami as being a really boring, repetitive task, however after trying it, I found I enjoyed it. I liked the feeling of accomplishment when I saw the final product there in front of me after hours of mindlessly folding paper. Even after I had turned in my shapes I continued to try more origami just because I saw all the cool things everybody else had made and wanted to see what else I could do.

Then,  after watching the movie in class, I really learned the math behind the origami (which was what I enjoyed more). I thought it was really cool to see an actual method behind all the amazing figures people had made. Because as I sat working on I wondered how, and who first was able to design the figures I was making.

As well as platonic shapes, going into the perspective drawing section, I had no idea what I was doing. I had never drawn anything in perspective before and the thought of drawing anything in 3D other than just a cube in space didn't make any sense to me (you can see my beginning stages on the back of my final copy, it's horrendous). However, after doing more rough drafts, it started to make more sense to me and eventually I got to a point where I was able to draw multiple objects in specific places in a room.

I enjoyed this section because it made me think in a way I had never thought before. I had never thought to even try to draw three- dimensionally until this assignment, however when it was finished I was happy with the new skill I had developed.

And while learning Roman architecture, I had very little knowledge of why or how the Romans made things. However, over the trimester, I learned a lot more about their innovations and contribution to modern day society and I have really gained a new respect for them because of all they were able to accomplish so long ago with such little recources compared to what we have today. It wasn't until this class that I was really able to come to appreciate art and architecture more, because before-hand I didn't know of all the thought and complexity behind some of the things that seem so simple.

Reflecting on Roman Architecture

Earlier In the trimester I wrote a paper about the characteristics that define Roman Architecture. In the paper I explained that the three main elements that define Roman architecture are arches, vaults, and concrete. When I presented I showed structures like the aqueducts and the Colosseum (Pictured Below) because, when most people think of Rome and architecture, that is what they think of. If you go back through this blog, you can see, in every post, that in all the structures that are shown they have used at least two of these three elements, sometimes more than once in their design.

The Union Station Arch Podcast

Above is the Podcast I made for the Union Station Arch in the Arena District in Columbus, Ohio. I had to put it into a video because blogger was not cooperating with it in mp3 format.

The Union Station Arch

Earlier today I visited the Union Station Arch in the Arena District in Columbus. I chose this monument, because out of all the buildings in Columbus this one strikes me as being the one with the most Romanesque features.

It was created in 1897 to show the entrance to Union Station (Shown below), however in 1979 Union arch Station was demolished and it wasn't until 2000 that the arch that marked the entrance was relocation to the Arena District.

While this is much more Greek than Roman, because the Roman's and the Greeks lived during the same time, they often shared many of their art/ architectural techniques with each other when trading.

The first thing that reminded me of Roman architecture was the large arch in the center. In a lot of Roman architecture, they would use rounded arches to support the structure. This is shown in many different famous structures such as the Colosseum and the Roman Aqueducts.

The Next thing that reminded me of Roman architecture was the columns. In a lot of both Roman and Greek structures they would use columns as another way to support the structure. The difference between Roman and Greek columns is that, on many occasions, the Greeks would use columns as a decoration more than a support. The columns on the Union Station arch are more Greek because they don't serve that much of a purpose in supporting the structure, however, they are still very similar to what would be used in Roman architecture.

The third, and final thing that reminded me of Roman Architecture was the use of concrete. Some say that the Roman's greatest achievement was the invention on concrete. In almost every Roman building they would use concrete because it was cheap, easy to mold, and lasting.