Walter Benjamin on Architecture

Harrison, C., & Wood, P., (ed), 2003, Art in Theory 1900-2000 An Anthology of Changing Ideas, USA: Blackwell Publishing. Page 525 -526.

Walter Benjamin.

‘Architecture has always represented the prototype of a work of art’.

‘A man who contemplates before a work of art is absorbed by it. He enters into enters into this work of art....In contrast, the distracted mass absorbs the work of art’. 

‘Buildings have been man’s companions since primeval times.... the human need for shelter is lasting.

‘Architecture has never been idle. Its history is more ancient than any other art, and its claim to being a living force has significance in every attempt to comprehend the relationship of the masses to art’.  

my thoughts on the passage

Architecture is a simple way of bringing art to the masses, buildings are appreciated by two senses, touch and sight, the appreciation of the art of architecture is developed by habit, not attentive concentration or contemplation

Landscape Architecture.

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“Landscape Architecture can’t compete against nature. But if Landscape Architects understand Landscape as the terrain we live on, they see the spectrum of responsibility”.

 

Journal  Scholfer, P. (2012). The World of Landscape Architecture. 20 Years of Topos. Issue No. 80, Page 4.

Letter From Beirut.

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Art Monthly. Issue No 360. October 2012. Letter From Beirut.

This article is in response to the letter from Cairo. It points out the dedication, commitment and also make me feel the difficulties the artists involved in the Cairo art scene may have. Artists in Cairo are mostly self funded, or fundraise their own salaries or are willing to volunteer there time. 

The letter goes on to talk about the Beirut art scene as a “utopian creative bubble”.   Beirut has been redeveloped into a modern city centre boasting designer clothes shops, restaurants and cafes. Beirut’s nightlife brings status as “unofficial gay capital of middle east and north Africa”. and now has a vibrant and busy art scene which attracts artists and curators from around the area as well as the wider region because of its new social liberalism.  Beirut also has an “institutional infrastructure” as well as the BAC (Beirut Art Centre) and the BEC (Beirut Exhibition Centre). The BAC is funded by sponsors and has a board of trustees, though the board has a lot more control than boards of trustees in the west.

Letter From Cairo

Art Monthly. Issue No.357. June 2012. Letter From Cairo. P38

This  artical is about the art movement in Cairo since the revolution in 2011.
It talks about the newly formed "Coalition of Independent Culture".  making reference to the "liberation of expression". The new graffiiti art that has spread around the city's buildings and walls,"in Cairo, the walls have tongues".  it makes reference to the way attempts have been made to curate shows and "how easy it is to curate an exhibition in a city that had turned into one massive art studio".
All of these comments  make me think how art must have exploded into existence and how the people must have felt about the restrictions there must have been on art. it is something I would not have thought about.



    

FAITH BEYOND BOARDERS

Mosley, D., Holliday, J., (2010) Faith Beyond Boarders, doing justice in a dangerous world, Nashville: Abingdon Press 

 An autobiographical account of Don and Carolyn Mosley’s life, and there work with Jubilee Partners and Habitat for Humanity International. Don tells the stories of the refugees, from all types of conflicts who passed through the doors of Jubilee Partners. He successfully transports you to the conflict zones.  Where he works with Habitat for Humanity, to transform and build houses for local people. 

What comes across in the book is just how strong and unshakable Don Mosley’s faith is, also how important faith is to the people who live in the conflict zones around the world. Mosley shows us the power of humanity, his belief in loves thy enemy and holding out the hand of friendship is unwavering. 

A truly inspiring book.