Macro to Micro

In last weeks Opus (Opus 5) we described how duality, moments, and precedents are the backbone for composition. Composition is the overall big picture to the piece. For example, the Eiffel tower brings a feeling of uplifting. The verticality of the monument unifies the city of Paris beneath it. The Acropolis’ Parthenon also brings unity and a strong composition by the addition of the Erechtion and the Proplyia. Gestault Theory is a series of terms and ideas that form a composition. The Gestault Theory ranges from the law of continuation to the law of proximity to the law of symmetry.



Porch, Court, and Hearth are the standard for most temples, churches, and gothic cathedrals. In the Parthenon, the porch is situated near the steps, the court is the giant meeting space, and the hearth is the spot to worship. It is used even today in most architecture. For instance, in Washington D.C the Lincoln Memorial has the porch, court, and hearth. The steps and procession before the monument plays as the porch, the area between the steps and the monument is the court, and finally the giant statue of President Lincoln is the hearth.


Parthenon Plan


http://www.uwm.edu/Course/mythology/0600/751c.jpg

In our Perception and Communication studies class with Mrs. Cabrera, we learned the different types of diagrams on an architectural level. Diagrams differ from plan sketches because diagrams convey information using color, text, and a lot of details. Diagrams show nearby trees, the wind direction, and even movement of people. They provide information that is not provided on plans or blueprints or anything technical. For the class, I had to draw a hierarchical diagram of the Curry building to show the importance of the building. I chose to highlight the second floor with blue and the ground floor red to distinguish between the two.


On the Salisbury Cathedral, the statues that make up the front façade are covered in figure impressions. Impressions are designs within a type of material. For instance, in the Gateway’s project, they made an impression of two opposing curves within concrete. Making a cutout that is placed beneath the concrete did it and it created an opposite mold when the cardboard was removed. Impressions like the walk of fame in Hollywood are made up of handprints from hundreds of famous celebrity stars. At the Asheboro Zoo there were impressions of leafs and footprints to enhance the feeling of nature ahead.





Details are the tiny simple things that make up perfection and ideal. The Greeks strived for this perfection. They added details and necessary changes to perfect anything. Using sensitivity to an object and caring for it creates detail. For example, in any piece of art that you see, the tiny – almost miniscule – additions to the piece is termed detail. In writing, teachers always want details because it creates an illusion of being there and/or relating to the subject. It paints a mental picture to help the audience understand.