On Architecture

Architecture is an expressive window into the spirit of a civilization, is it enduring or is it transient? Oppressive versus imposing, Modernist versus Classical, Jarring versus Proportion, there being a dualism in ascetics and function. Oppressive is the block seeming to be cut from a block with little facade to break up the dull monotony, a skyscraper reaching in vain for the sky being apocalyptic if ever it tipped. Imposing is that which through by the jarring disharmony of elements lacking classical proportion and symmetry whole lines lack visual continuity. Oppressive modernist is that which has a sheer cliff wall providing no shelter for that which is under its feet, as a tree in the a forest with no leaves and no protection and is hence of little value to the forest under its mast. As a tree full of leaves that provides a canopy so too shall the imposing architecture confident in its might provide protection under it's edifice. Instead of primitive sheer walls it shall have ledges, buttresses, and other detailed elements that aid the eye in looking for detail in symmetry within flowing symmetrical proportion. Meanwhile the modernist simplifies the art of architecture into simple lines, bland and boring, the eye follows endlessly their degenerate vector for it to suddenly, jarringly, end into a new line out of relation of surrounding lines. A disjointed expression of modernist culture coming from deep within them. Doors, they enter and exit; windows they gaze out of; are off ratio to other elements to their other scattered elements of the structure are symptoms of this disease caused by irrationality and subjectivity being the hallmarks of Modernist thought.

After casting the Classical form to the gutter the Modernist in a desperate act of uncreativity raided the crayon box. Instead of shining white in majesty of Classical architecture they institutionalized a grey blandness absorbing the light greedily in contrast to an illuminating reflection. Natural stone colours that are sophisticated where turned into raw pastel colours, a dissociating violence from the vibrant and subtle colours of the natural world. An effeminate display of ego; flamboyant and mercurial. The intricate shades of stone and brick which clothe a mystery of colour are replaced with nude base colours once again impressing a monotone of boredom. Gone is the complex veil, the awe of pure white, grain of wood, patterns to intrigue and entertain, subverted by the envy of the inferior to the superior.

Monumental architecture is a memory whose form encompasses a civilizations' thought, for the heroic spirit transcends this present state through struggle and perseverance. Traits the Ancient world was built. As architecture is an art it is first an expression, as all things in the tumbling of the grains of sand down the hourglass, some become memories while others fade from their hour forgotten. A culture without permanence and stability will choose according materials to build with. In point, Modernist glass buildings. Glass; empty sheets, have no personality as it's soul can only reflect what exists or expose privacy shamelessly. Is this the point of post-modernism? To pragmatically show an empty mode of living? Whose greatest artistic capability is to reflect or expose hubric ants flittering about? Fragile to a thrown rock and incapable to be moulded into an enduring symbol in the skilled artisan's hand? This purposeful deconstruction of Classical architecture can be analyzed as the subversion of form and definition. Where are the artistic friezes remembering monumental and defining events so that a memory is preserved in stone, of the same continuity of the structure it adorns? Adding detail after detail Gothic architecture, myth and folklore sculpted into form upon its skin, it still kept Classical principles: beauty and symmetry with grandeur inspiring awe. Compare with the Modernist architecture bareness of refinement and skill devoid of inspiration. Modernist architecture dispenses with tradition, changing definition, only trying to creatively improve through primitive force, their towers a vain mockery of those wishing to dominate Nature, ungrateful of the gifts given them, and in the process their tall towers are an envious imposter; without the powers of creation or the finesse of skill.

The spirit behind it can be seen in the same clothes and terms in literature and language. Definitions of words changed or eroded so their function and art became pale and sick from earlier, more virile times. A breath has been lost for a civilization grasping for air cannot speak of its' sickness to the doctor let alone have the tools to define that which ails it.

It is time that can measure the permanence of a civilization which is reflected in the architecture left behind and tilled by the wheel of time. Even though the Modernist has legions of engineers with mathematical models, albeit tested and proved in real situations, Nature routinely breaks models and your odds to have her tempest gaze upon you increases on a timeline as time marches on. Time is the greatest foe to stand against. For a civilization to continue against time for any length of time is a testament to it's glory and permanence. A principle and a truth to be true is timeless immune to the Law of Entropy, as anything great is. Monumental architecture that has survived for a thousand years have done so because they were built too. As the heroic spirit struggles towards transcendence and the Ancient and Classical principles and spirit has been reflected in architecture.

So too it would follow with Modernist architecture and in comparison it is new and within a sparse hundred years their buildings show they will not last another hundred years or two hundred years. Already their architects follow the spirit of their "evolutionary" and "progressive" spirit and are discarding their older forms and search, experiment, with new forms of disharmony. Transient forms, architectural nomads incapable of creating and preserving harmony of form while in an ironic twist nomads the world over have more foundations despite their lifestyle. As the reflection of their architecture shows this "progressive" society is hubric, disharmonious, impermanent, and mirroring their Towers of Babel and when it falls the debris will be far and wide covering the ground so thick that it will be impossible for the remnants to dig through the broken pieces.