Art-chitecture

While artists work from the real to the abstract, architects must work from the abstract to the real. While art may legitimize itself as an object or an event, architecture dissolves into a blur of buildings. Architecture, under all of its constraints of engineering safety, function, climate responsibility and economy, sometimes transcends to inspire us with ideas in space and light—qualities achieved in the abstract.

There has been debate for decades about whether architecture is art – with some passionately arguing that architecture is a form of self-expression and therefore an art form, and others decrying the notion, viewing it as a form of egotism which leads to ‘starchitect’ designs being parachuted into place without reference to social and geographic context or appropriateness.

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If architecture is not art, and there’s a good argument to the contrary when one considers striking buildings such as the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona or Agora Garden, Taipei, there is certainly a place for art within the architectural form. For thousands of years, buildings and spaces have been transformed by the way in which art was used within them – often resulting in a fusion which created spaces which were beautiful, awe-inspiring, or spiritually uplifting, depending on the intentions of the client and the architect.

The fusion of art and architecture can transcend the sum of its parts, but can also go incredibly wrong. Getting the balance right is, it can be argued, an art form in itself. Speaking of art forms the concept of art and interior design as a notion plays an incredible role today. Today individuals do not just design homes for the sake of it, but have an artistic eye and a story behind every piece within their homes.

What inspires the creators to transform homes into works of art?

“Art is a creative expression, as is design. Only the medium changes but the outcomes are that of one individual’s creation. Art is an integral part of interior design. I have always believed that India is home to multitudes of design with inextinguishable source of inspirations. My interpretation of traditional Indian design is a reflection of our roots and our vast history encompassing the various cultures we have gone and grown through. It is important to evaluate the space and not try to overdo any element, as to mix to designs you need to find the perfect balance”, says Shabnam Gupta, Principal Designer, The Orange Lane.

How is the fusion best achieved?

“The amalgamation of art needs to be clever - it requires creativity and vision. Otherwise, the viewer just gets the sense of art being succumbed into an inadequate space, as an afterthought, detracting from both the art and the architecture. In addition, it needs to be tastefully done, to avoid vulgarity or contextual misplacement.

Architects and designers must hold ample experience and creativity to know precisely how and where to blend art and architecture in a way which turns the fusion of both into much more than the sum of its parts. Places and spaces can be both commercially successful and aesthetically pleasing, which in turn requires good planning.

It is important that the context is taken into account, whether in terms of the individual space, the local geography, the culture, or what the client wants to express. It is also vital that the effect be one which doesn’t look cluttered or mismatched, and which enhances rather than detracts from the surroundings”, says Kulmeet Shangari, Managing Director, ACPL.

But when designing residences for individuals, how does one blend in the individuality of client preferences and demands, with their own creativity?

“Architecture and Interiors draw from art in both tangible and intangible ways – like art, architecture too employs its own characteristic style to represent a particular time, attitude or emotion that transcends functionality. In addition to this, architecture also explores the complexities of human behavior and relationships and like art, interprets these relationships as a product for the people. Our humble attempt through our work has always been to respond bring in our expertise to layer the spaces with stories and narratives for contexts that each of our projects is based in, to create a unique outcome for each one of them”, says Pankhuri Goel, Design Principal, Studio Lotus.

A house is made a home not only from the people living in it, but through the story it narrates, the message it invokes and the design it displays. It can be made extraordinary by the well-judged use of beautiful and interesting art. A work of architecture has an idea—an organic link between concept and form. This idea is a hidden thread connecting disparate parts with exact intention. What is most important is that the resulting combination achieve something which, in the eyes of most people, makes the residence remembered for its aesthetic elegance. There is no more fitting legacy for the artist, designer or for the architect.