IAR 222:Reading Comprehension 2

Natalie Neill

IARC 222

September 15, 2010

1. 1. Based on the reading by Hersey, Greek architecture has many hidden meanings it seems that have relations to sacrifice. After a sacrifice the victim’s bones and the tools used to kill the victim would be decorated on groups of trees. An example of the way the Greeks put these traditions to use is shown in Vase paintings because many of the paintings had weapons and “sacrificial paraphernalia in them. Fruit is commonly used in Greek architecture, along with teeth and garlands, which all goes right back to Greek sacrifice. Since sacrifice was a Greek tradition and may still remain today, it played a huge part in the way they designed and their inspirations for decorations.

2. 2. The lesson of mis-interpreting evidence is that many people believe anything they read. If it’s on paper or just simply in print people believe that it s true, because we like to think that if someone takes the time to write something that seems to be backed up by facts, then it can be trusted. Just like with the story by Macaulay, I started believing it when I first started reading, and then after you think deeper into the story, you start recognizing things and realize it is a joke. If something is on the Internet, readers will most likely believe the stories a gossip mainly because it is written down and seems true.

3. 3. The temple designed by Queen Hatshepsut was low to the ground and looked very strong and was hidden in the hills, which kind of made it a force to be reckoned with. It has a lot of decoration, which also shows that she had her input in the design of the building. The entrance is very extravagant and leads you in while the Pyramids designed by the Pharaoh’s of Ancient Egypt are obviously executing power and strength.

4. 4. In Egypt, the Hypostyle Hall is a temple that is all about axial progression and being led down to the kind at the end of the hall. The space elucidates mystery and wonder. The gigantic columns make you feel small and powerless. The Greece, the Parthenon is huge and completely made up of columns. It is built up on steps and the Greeks used the natural hills in the terrain to place the Parthenon on top to create a sense of importance. This building also has axial progression by making you want to go inside from the front and see what is inside. They are both temples, but the Hypostyle Hall is about being mysterious more so, where as the Parthenon is about clearly showing importance.

5. 5. I think Egyptian furniture typically tends to be lightweight because of the hot climate and when a person of importance is sitting on, say a chair, the person is more emphasized than the chair is. Also, the materials that are assessible to their climate might be lighter woods. For example, Egypt does not have huge Oak trees everywhere to make furniture out of. Also, if the Pharoahs take their furniture with them, they cannot be lugging around heavy furniture with them to the afterlife. This might have been a possible theory of the Egyptians, to make their king’s afterlife as easy as possible. The Pyramids of Giza are very heavy and massive because that is the Pharaohs tomb and protects and holds everything the king will need in the afterlife.

6. 6. The vase on the left is very obvious that is a “female vase” or was designed by a female. It shows that a man is giving a woman a weapon and she is holding a shield to show her power. To me, this vase depicts equality between men and women. The vase on the right however shows women serving a man. The women are formally dressed, most likely because they are his servants and are there to impress onlookers.

IAR 222: point-Theories

IAR 222

Point: Theories

Wednesday 8, 2010

Natalie Neill

This first section of History and Theory of Design seemed to be somewhat about origins and why architecture, and/or design is so important. Nature affects the way things are built and why they are in that location. For example, Stonehenge was a major topic in this section because there is so much curiosity as to why they are and how they got there. Many think it was for worship or a place of gathering. This unknowing principle has caused me to think deeper into the facts of design and why things such as chairs are formed the way they are and all have an average width. It also has crossed into my thoughts as to better quality furniture hits your body parts at precise and specific spots while cheaper and lower quality furniture is typically not as comfortable and not quite to scale to fit your body.

We have also touched on why the Western world seems to try and make everything bigger and better while the Eastern world keeps things to tradition and architecture has not changed as much as it has in the West. For example, in the US buildings are constantly changing and either becoming bigger or more extravagant. Even houses now are almost double the size they were a few decades ago. Our perception of how big a space needs to be is always increasing because we are always buying things and compiling more things.

Reading Comprehension 222

Reading Comprehension

Part 1

IAR 222

Natalie Neill

1. The building of my choice that I feel fits the definitions of commodity, firmness, and delight is Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home. To me it has defines commodity because it is useful in many ways. One room that particularly comes to mind is the room directed near the front of the house which was used for a classroom for his children. There was a library making your way to the back of the house and slaves quarters that overlooked the areas they worked. As for firmness the house had many different themes, but it was all influenced by places Jefferson had traveled. Even though there were many influences it all seemed to flow together to create a calming home to live in. Lastly, the delight, to me, is in the beautiful gardens and courtyard that is in the back of the house. The side wrap around porch is beautiful and is very useful for entertaining.

2. The first textile fabric has many influences from the eastern part of the world such as the natural colors that are used, the repetitive pattern used to unify the print as one. Nothing in the textile, I feel, is random, all of the shapes fit together cohesively and have a specific spot. Many eastern motifs include symbols and certain number of things that have a background meaning. Animals are common in motifs, and so are flowers.

3. Different cultures have different special needs and wants or attitudes, mainly because every culture’s way of life is different. The cultural, economic, and ethnic differences all play a part in why we have separate views of personal space. U.S. citizens generally want big spaces to interact in because our “personal space bubble” is typically bigger. In the 222 Classroom we are located in, the classroom is completely oversized for the amount of it that we are actually using. You would expect that we would all sit with one seat in between everyone. Since I am a U.S. citizen the amount of space between people, personally, is not enough and a little too close for my liking, but I feel as though it will feel normal as the semester goes on.

4. I feel as though there is architecture of happiness. Objects that are designed aren’t always JUST all about functions. There is always pleasure that comes from an object, which I think would be the main goal when designing anything. You want to enjoy something and gain an experience from it no matter what. “We seem divided between an urge to override our senses and numb ourselves to our settings and a contradictory impulse to acknowledge the extent to which our identities are indelibly connected to, and will shift along with, our locations.” This quote basically explains that we, as people, are constantly trying to find the next biggest and best thing without actually thinking about form following function, or things that will enhance our way of living in a happy way. This is a shelving system I found a picture of that really inspires me and is interesting to look at, but at the same time has a purpose and is made of a sustainable material.