Modernism and Post-modernism

On the previous day, modernism is one of the architectural language which define technology and production. It focuses mainly on being machinary and try to eliminate all the ornament and unnecessary color or materials. Being honest and pure are the major purpose of modernism and also try to equalized all the status of people. Everything needs to be the same and in pattern. Breaking rules from the previous historic architecture, modernism considered ornament and freeform as a disgrace for the architecture.

However, introducing to the new style of architecture, Post-modernism is an international style of architecture which totally different from what previous style of architecture, modernt’s approach. It doesn’t concentrate on the similiarity or any machinary feeling where everything has to be the same and well organized in order. In fact, it holes more on to the reality where there’re always differences. For post-modernist, it’s matter on the dependence and freedom for the group of people. It mainly points out on the interest and nature of an individual. While modernist tries to focus on freedom and honesty of architecture and eliminate all symbolism to equalized everything, Post-modernisim looked back into the historical idea and brought back some of the idea applied to this new style. Ornament and color have become part of the decoration in this style of architecture which also bring back symbolism. So it can’t be defined as black or white just like the previous historical record but it’s instead known as the grey idea or logic of the late capitalism.

Architectural Language

“Technology and Production” Vs “Spiritualism”

Architecture contains alot of meaning within one certain style. Just by first glance, it shows the meaning, culture and belief of the period in

a certain place. Sometimes, a sculture can even demonstrate the lifestyle of people or even tell the timeline itself. During the old period, architecture were commonly found as something related with religion and mostly focus on the belief of the local people. However, as the world develops, the concept of architecture has been adap

ted and evolved through each period. In the new era of “Technology and Production”, most of the architecture will be using modern material such as industrail steel, plate glass or something common and similar. They will be expressed in the machinary feeling which tells people more about freedom and space of modern. Mies Van de Rohe

or Mies is a German architect who was one of the pioneering master of modern architecture. His work contains the idea of “Technology and Production” concept for the modern day. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago is one of the example from Mies’ work which represent modernism. Simple yet elegant architecture with the pure form and meterial which is steel skeleton fram and glass window.

In comparison, modernism has spoken about technology and production just like in the past where Gothic architecture was for the eraof Spiritualism. This style of architecture was expressed with religion which can be seen easily through many church. The concept will be based on God and mainly focus on light which is the symbol of sacred. The characteristic mostly will be seen though the pointed arch, ribbed vault and flying buttress. Reims Cathedral in France can be one of the example of this style of architecture.

Parthenon in Athens & The White House

De stijl is one of artistic movement during 1917 which contain the style of Neoclassicism. It also can be called “Neoplasticism” or “new plastic art” which refers to a basis for the group’s work formed by the artistic philosophy. The style emphasizes on the pureness and modern of art form which is inspired by the classical architecture of ancient Greece and Rome. Parthenon is the temple in Athens which began to built around 447 BC and complated in 438 BC. It is one of the classical Greece building that can be seen as an example of the influence and have an effect on later style of architecture, Neoclassicism. The White house in Washington, D.C. is the official resident and workplace of the president of the United States which is considered as one of the Neoclassical building. Both buildings are completely built in different period but they still share some similarity that show the effect of the movement inspiration and influences. The features that can be collected from both buildings are they are built in symmetrical shape, tall columns that rise the full height of the building and triangular pediment. Observe carefully, both Parthenon and the White house share these similarity since they both got the same influence at the different timing.

Le Corbusier and Vienna Seccession

As the time pass, the world has developed and finally the architecture has been changed through time. The Union of Austrain Artists, or also known as “The Vienna Seccession” is the movement during 1897 which consists of new style of Architecture. The style of this new architecture can be seen through the buildings as they are the icon of the movement. The style that can be seen through building will be modernist and send the influences later on to the next generation. Villa Savoye by Le Corbusier is one of the example of the modern architecture which was built between 1928-1931. Villa Savoye is focused on the simplicity of the shape which is the geomertic shape. Being a concrete structure creates a modern feeling. Also, Its a repeating pattern and puer geometry which are accordance to the concept of “The Vienna Seccession”. However, during the previous period, Bourgeoisie is used to refer to the range of socio-economic class or the “rich” people. The architecture in that period is very different from the Villa Savoye, which it was mostly Classicism. For example, Garnier Opera House was built between 1861 to 1875 for the Paris Opera. It was a design for Bourgeoise and the architecture style was really luxury and use gold/coper as the color range representing the wealthiness. This shows the different between modernist architecture, simplicity and machinary feeling and classicism architecture, wealthiness and handcraft.