Non-Western Art Critique

Robert Deleon
6/20/2015

Robert Bomboy

Humanities 101

Non- Western Art Critique

 

What makes Islamic art unique to Muslims? The following passage gives the fundamentals of Islamic Art:

....We were with Masruq at the house of Yasar bin Numair. Masruq saw pictures on his terrace and said, "I heard 'Abdullah saying that he heard the Prophet saying, "'The people who will receive the severest punishment from Allah will be the picture makers. (Quran)

In essences what makes Islamic art unique is that there is no pictures. More specifically, no portraits of people. The Koran specifically states that no one should idolize (or worship) anyone other than god. Portraits are seen, under sharia law, as a form of idolization and therefore prohibited. This means no statues, paintings, drawing, or lost wax castings of anything that could be misconstrued as worshiping other than god to include the prophet Mohammed. So how then do they artistically express themselves? Through calligraphy. Thus brings my example of Islamic Art, a Mosque lamp for a Mausoleum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mosque lamp for the Mausoleum of Amir Aydakin al 'Ala'I al–Bunduqdar, Mamluk period (1250–1517), shortly after 1285 (The Metropolitan Musemum of Art, 2012).

 

 

 

The artwork is a glass lamp that has a conical shape and brownish in color. It is hand blown. The emblem of the Keeper of the Bow, a pair of confronted bows against a red background, appears nine times on this lamp. A rare mistake by the calligrapher is evident on the neck, where the word bunduqdar (Keeper of the Bow) has been misspelled as a meaningless word, bunqud-dar (The Metropolitan Musemum of Art, 2012). It uses a contrast of blue and red to bring out the elements of the calligraphy, with obvious emphasis on the calligraphic script.  As it is a lamp, the proportions are pretty symmetrical which would make sense if it was hand-blown. I do not see anything that I could recognize that could be considered unity or repetition other than the outlining at the top of the lamp that appears to be more calligraphic scripts.

                The object comes from Egypt and was made between 1250-1517 (The Metropolitan Musemum of Art, 2012). This lamp is the earliest datable example of its kind known to have hung in an interior that still survives. The inscription states that it was made for the tomb of the Mamluk amir Aydakin al 'Ala'I al-Bunduqdar (died 1285) in Cairo. Since the function was to light the mausoleum its function is pretty clear and is an example of how two cultures come together. Egypt is known for honoring their dead with elaborate tombs and Islamic art is all about showing off the artist calligraphy skills. This object defines the combination of two different culture that are distinctly “non-Western.”

I do not really have any particular reaction other than it is interesting. I never really thought about how an item such as this really could have such cultural implications. From seeing other forms of Islamic artwork I have seem two themes in the Calligraphy. One is trying to fit as much calligraphy into an object without seeming like it is crowding. Second is to take a few words like a poem and having it fill as much space as possible, sometimes in the shape of something in nature such as an animal or tree. I conclude that this object is true to Islamic art that fits within the confines of sharia law.

 

 

 

several. http://quran.com/. 20. 20 June 2015.

The Metropolitan Musemum of Art. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/17.190.985. May 2012.

 

 

 

Classical Architecture critique

 

Robert Deleon

Robert Bomboy

Humanities 101

2 June 2015

Classical Architecture Critique HUM 101

 

 

            The United States has a long tradition of using Greek and Roman architecture in their building for government buildings since the foundation of the Nation. Most notably we see on public television every 4 years with the inauguration of a new president, the Capital building in Washington, DC. This building houses the meeting floors for both the senate and the House of Representatives:

            “Congress is divided into two institutions: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The two houses of Congress have equal but unique roles in the federal government. While they share legislative responsibilities, each house also has special constitutional duties and powers.” (http://www.aoc.gov/)

This is similar to the Roman republic which had the senate comprised of land owners, and local representatives from each province of the Roman Empire. Because this building houses one of the three major branches of our government (legislative), architectures would want to make a building that could stand the test of time, or “classical.” The Roman Empire which lasted approximately 500 years would be the perfect theme of our new democratic-republic government buildings. The architect for this important building would be Dr. William Thornton, an amateur architect who is honored as the "first architect" (www.aoc.gov). Though other people have lent a hand in its design for practical sound design of the structure, Dr. Thornton is ultimately the designer who gave the overall theme that is the building today.

            “The U.S. Capitol's designs, derived from ancient Greece and Rome, evoke the ideals that guided the nation's founders as they framed their new republic. In the 1850s, architect Thomas U. Walter added to the original design while maintaining the neoclassical styles. His additions included the north and south extensions and the cast iron dome” (www.aoc.gov).

 (http://www.aoc.gov/)

When I look at this structure one of the first things that jumps out at me is the Gable and pediment, the triangular section of a wall at the end of a pitched roof and the triangular space forming the gable two-pitched roof in classical architecture (Fiero). And like many other Greek classical buildings a sculpture is in the pediment that probably represents something iconic.

Next thing I notice is the pillars in this picture appears closest to the Corinthian style of column. The one I currently have illustrated has the stylobate at the bottom that provides support for the rest of the column, the shaft that runs along the length similar to the Parthenon that have symmetrical indentations along the entire flute, and the ornamental capital at the top of the shaft that holds up entablature, the rectangular length, below the Gable (Fiero). The entablature has a frieze which is a sculptured or ornamental band. Using a Corinthian style of columns enhances the importance of the building by providing more flourishes (Fiero).  

Finally Symmetry of the building which is one of the Greek’s symbols of art and contribution to the “classical style” (Fiero).



Flourish design of the capital of one of the columns.

The above is a closer look at the detail of the capitals at the top of one of the many columns within the building.

“The exterior of the Capitol Building contains examples of a modified Corinthian column style, including the East Front center portico and the West Front. On the first floor of the Capitol’s House wing is the dramatic, high ceilinged Hall of Columns, which takes its name from the 28 fluted, white marble columns that line the corridor” (http://www.aoc.gov/)

 

The biggest example of Roman contribution would be the dome at the top of the structure which is an example of a 360 degree arch. however I think a majority of the building is similar to Wren’s Cathedral.

 

 



Wren's Cathedral (Bartlett)

The biggest thing that stands out to me is the Dome, which at first glance is very similar to the of the U.S. Capital building. If you look at not the central point of the building but to the right side of the dome, the corner structure of the building is quite similar the left and right of the dome of the Capital building.

This building, along with others, represents a continuation of the principles that founded our government. These principles of freedom, democracy, and fairness that were pioneered by the Greeks and Early in the Roman's history. My personal perception every time I go to Washington, D.C. and see all of the buildings that are representative of classical architecture is like taking a step back in time. Like every film that shows ancient Rome in its prime, it is as if the buildings were transported through time. It is as if the buildings are older than they actually are. Modern architecture does not give the sense of time to me. Like fads such as beanie babies, they will most likely fade with time, however the architecture of this building seems like it will last forever. Since we as a country do not want our country to disappear from the pages of history, I think using this style for our capital is both appropriate and enhances the purpose of the building.

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Bartlett, Sarah. http://www.wrenkitchens.com/blog/ten-facts-celebrate-sir-christopher-wrens-birthday/. 20 October 2014. web. 2 June 2015.

Fiero, Gloria. The Humanistic Tradition Book 1. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011. Textbook.

http://www.aoc.gov/. n.d. 2 June 2015.

Wallpapers111.com. http://wallpapers111.com/united-states-capitol-building-pictures/. n.d. 2 june 2015.