Architecture at the V&A

The Art of Architecture

The art of architecture is about how a building's shape, decoration, features and materials come together and form a "look" or style.

Trafalgar Square is one of the most famous Urban spaces in the world.
Trafalgar Square is the symbolic heart of London and of the british nation. It is the place from where distances to London are measured. It is the backdrop to public celebrations and demonstrations. Yet it was not designed or executed at one time. Insteadt the architectural features of the square have developed over several centuries.

around Trafalgar Square

Gothic

The Gothic style began in the great medieval cathedrals of France in the 1140s and lasted until about 1500.
Gothic churches were triumphs of engineering in stone. Their style was based on the pointed arch and rib vault. These elements spread the physical load of the high walls, which were often shored up on the outside with elaborate buttresses.

Their interiors were lit by large areas of stained glass


http://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/
http://www.cathedrale-reims.com/notre-dame-saint-jacques-reims/

Stained glass

Glass formed an essential part of Gothic churches. Builders and architects tried to leave as much space for windows as possible, until in some buildings the walls were almost entirely glass.
The windows formed enormous pictures. Their biblical and other subjects followed specific programmes and often matched the carved decoration. They also expressed the symbolic idea that 'God is Light'.

all text is a quote from the V&A

Glamour of the Gods

Hollywood Portraits

a sense of old glamour of the golden age of Hollywood

Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery

7 July - 23 October 2011

HOLLYWOOD ICONS

Vivien Leigh
htpp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivien_Leigh

silent movie star

Louise Brooks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louise_Brooks

The 'Love Goddess'

Rita Hayworth
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rita_Hayworth 

romantic leading man in the 50-60s

Rock Hudson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Hudson 

A relaxed Marilyn

Marilyn Monroe
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Monroe 

Typography

Jan Tschichold 1902-1974

The word can be very powerful when we use them 'right'. But it is not just about the 'words' in the designing or creating process. The key is the combining of different techniques, materials and the size. It is all depending on what the artists wants to express with his piece of design. It can be in black and white or in colour.

Jan Tschichold once said that: "Typography should not express anything on it's own, but that the purpose of typography, by it's very nature, is to convey information."  

Josef Müller-Brockmann

With Typography we are transmitting information, storing information and receiving information. But it is also a very beautiful designing tool.

The beauty of Typography

The combination of Image and Type is a powerful tool.

The use and combination of different materials, colours and languages are very convincing.

Dan Deans

Thomas Kettner

Thomas Kettner (Photographer)

I think that Thomas Kettner is a wonderful, inspiring, spirited and sensual photographer.

Girl in the water

 

When I saw this Picture it was kind of I am looking in a mirror. This Photo is expressing in a simple way lots of emotions, feelings, worries and hopes I can relate to.

It is the use of cold colours which makes the Image so real for me. It is the roughness and the danger which lies in the surrounding. The water is dangerous but also very comforting, freshening, wakening, healing and relaxing. The Water is also a very important living condition.

Laying in this position and having the eyes closed - having the bodyweight carried away by the water; trusting in it, feeling safe, relaxed and enjoying herself.

Living abroad and being on my own is like being the girl in the water. I am happy and enjoying my situation and the circumstances but it is very unstable. I dont have it under control as I would like it. I still don't know where the water will carry me to and if I will have the strength and stamina to withstand the rough sea. But for now I am enjoying my surrounding.

THE NEVERENDING STORY

Being part of the neverending story

XI - The Childlike Empress

...'you have returned from the Great Quest, Atreju.'
Atreju hung his head.
'Yes', he managed to say. After a short silence she went on: 'Your lovely cloak has turned gray. Your hair is gray and your skin is like stone. But all that will be as it was, or better. You will see.
Atreju felt as if a band had tightened around his throat. All he could do was nod his had Then he heard the sweet soft voice saying: 'You have carried out your mission...'
Were these words meant as a question? Atreju didn't know. He didn't dare look up to read the answer in her face. Slowly he reached for the golden amulet and removed the chain from his neck. Without raising his eyes, he held it out to the childlike Empress. He tried to kneel as messengers did in the stories and songs he had heard at home, but his wounded leg refused to do his bidding. He fell at the Childlike Empress's feet, and there he lay with his face to the floor.
She bent forward, picked up AURYN, and let the chain glide through her fingers. 'You have done well', she said, 'and I am pleased with you.' 'No!' cried Atreju almost savagely. 'It was all in vain. There's no hope. A long silence followed. Atreju buried his face in the crook of his elbow, and his whole body trembled. How would she react? With a cry of despair, a moan, words of bitter reproach or even anger? Atreju couldn't have said what he expected. Certainly not what he heard. Laughter. A soft, contented laugh. Atreju's thoughts were in a whirl, for a moment he thought she had gone mad. But that was not the laughter of madness. Then he heard her say: 'But you've brought him with you.'
Atreju looked up...


 written by Michael Ende