Figurative and Abstract Art in Architecture

Figurative and Abstract Art in Architecture 1
FIGURATIVE AND ABSTRACT ART IN ARCHITECTURE
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Figurative and Abstract Art in Architecture 2
Figurative and Abstract Art in Architecture
Every architectural style or theme has a purpose. The art phenomenon appeared about
30,000 years ago and since then, human beings have constantly created and appreciated artworks
(Aviv, 2014). In general, the history of art and architecture is very diverse. What stands out is
that most of the architectural styles used in modern architecture originated from traditional styles
developed in previous centuries. Figurative and abstract art were a trend in sculpture and
painting in the 20th century. The two represented different architectural styles and have had a
great impact on contemporary art. The relationship between art and architecture cannot be
overemphasized. As a matter of fact, architecture can be said to be art. Artwork, including
sculpture, painting, installation or visualization, increases aesthetic value of architectural
drawings or spaces. Therefore the combination of art and architecture beautifies structures.
Figurative and abstract art are both visual arts, which have been in existence throughout
history. Nevertheless, these two forms of art are different in a wide range of ways. One of these
ways is the conceptual processes used by figurative (representational) and abstract (non-
representational) artists when preparing or describing their artwork (Sullivan, 2009). It must also
be understood that people have different emotional responses to any kind of artwork, whether
visual or otherwise. This is why people find some artworks to be more compelling or beautiful
than others (van Paasschen, et al., 2015). The visual elements of artworks are the ones that
trigger the viewers’ emotions. The viewers usually have emotional responses to a variety of
features of the artwork, including simple geometric shapes that have no particular context. For
example, sharp angles such as triangles and arrows were deemed to be threatening, whereas
round shapes like circles were considered to be pleasant (Larson, et al., 2012); (Silvia & Barona,
2009).

Figurative and Abstract Art in Architecture 3
Figurative art is a form of representational artwork, mainly comprising of sculptures and
paintings, whose sources are derived from real world objects or figures particularly human
forms. Figurative art is dependent on several formal elements, including shape, light, color, line,
mass, volume, perspective and texture of people, objects and landscapes. These elements are
design elements that create aesthetic effects i.e. illusion or impression of space and form. . An
example of figurative art is shown in Figure 1 below
Figure 1: An example of figurative art (The Art Story, 2018)
From Figure 2 above, the viewer automatically sees a female figure at the front of the
image, some grass in the middle and building structures at the back. This can be seen by anybody
irrespective of their knowledge in art or architecture. In other words, the art in this image
represents a young girl, grass and building structures. These objects along qualify the image to
be a form of figurative art because it contains real world objects. Looking at this illustration, it
can be described as the girl was playing at their home or hiding from someone who was in or
near the building structures.
According to art professionals, cinematic representation if a form of figurative art that
portrays temporal properties (Abell, 2010). Figurative artists engage with their viewers in a
conversation by depicting a series of landscapes, people or objects (i.e. they use metaphorical

Figurative and Abstract Art in Architecture 4
expressions or terms). These systems are illustrated by considering elements such as symmetry,
balance, composition and dimensions, which are very essential in architecture.
Abstract is non-representational form of artwork. This form of art is not derived from real
objects or figures. The main objective of abstract art was to secede from the old-style illustration
of physical objects. This was achieved by exploring the relationships of colors and forms.
Therefore abstract art went against the traditional rules of art. Instead of focusing on
representational and figurative depictions, abstract artists and painters emphasized on
composition, color and emotion. Additionally, abstract artists and painters put more emphasis in
the process rather than the completed works. Some of the artists who played a key role in
promoting abstract art and significantly changed how people looked at painting include: Wassily
Kandinsky (Russian painter), Piet Mondrian (Dutch artist), Robert Delaunay, Jackson Pollock
(American artist), Clyfford Still, Franz Kline, among others (Richman-Abdou, 2017). These
artists and painters focused more on geometric shapes, vibrant colors and floating lines. An
example of abstract art is shown in Figure 2 below
Figure 2: An example of abstract art (The Art Story, 2018)
Looking at the image in Figure 2 above, it is not easy for any viewer to tell the meaning
or message expressed by the artist in this artwork. This is the reason why abstract art is usually