Arts Teaching Kit for Senior Secondary Curriculum. Visual Arts. Video: Modernism in Architecture. [Teacher notes] Organizer Sponsor Research Team

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1 Arts Teaching Kit for Senior Secondary Curriculum Visual Arts Video: Modernism in Architecture [Teacher notes] Organizer Sponsor Research Team

2 Contents Preamble Teaching plan Lesson 1: Modernism in Architecture 1.1 What is Modernism? 1.2 Architecture and Modernism 1.3 Modern Architecture in Hong Kong Exercise: Appreciation and Interpretation of Modern Architecture Appendix: Aesthetics of photography Summary, Key words and Further reading i Disclaimer Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Hong Kong Institute of Architects

3 Topic 02 Video: Modernism in Architecture Major teaching areas Visual Arts Visual Art Appreciation and Criticism in Context Formal knowledge Signs and symbols Interdisciplinary teaching areas Design and Applied technology Strand 1 Design and Innovation Strand 3 Value and Impact Types of image and image development strategies Knowledge of history and ways of seeing Knowledge in context Related teaching areas Visual Arts Visual Arts Making Learning objectives To learn about Modernist impacts on architecture in the 20 th century To identify modern features of architecture in Hong Kong To appreciate the aesthetics of Modern architecture through photography Teaching plan Lesson Contents Lesson Modernism in 1.3 Architecture Exercise These are supplementary teaching notes for the video Modernism in Architecture. The Modernist movement Modernist impacts on architecture Features and reasons for modern architecture in Hong Kong Appreciation and Interpretation of Modern Architecture i

4 Lesson 1 Modernism in Architecture 01

5 Lesson 1 Modernism in Architecture 1.1 What is Modernism? Modernism, in its broad sense, is modern thought, character, or practice. The term specifically describes the Modernist movement in the arts and culture which arose in the early 20 th century. Modern design: a new way of living achieved by interest in exploring new materials, rejection of classical precedents, simplification of design through a reduction of ornament and emphasis on architectural space rather than physical form. 1.2 Architecture and Modernism Architectural Modernism was widely adopted after the Second World War, and continued as a dominant architectural style throughout the 20 th century. Early Modernist architecture began at the turn of the 20 th century to reconcile the principles underlying architectural design with rapid technological advancement and the modernization of society. Modernist architects: Le Corbusier Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Louis Kahn Frank Lloyd Wright Walter Gropius q De Stijl, one of the art movements of Modernism, experimented with town planning, architecture, applied arts and philosophy. The Museum of Modern Art/Scala, Florence p p The Parthenon in Athens is in classical style. Karen Tsui Schröder House in Utrecht is an example of Modernism in architecture. Mike Hui Teaching Tips Examples of De Stijl architecture can be found in the supplementary session of Arts Topic 01: Art and Architecture. 02

6 Less is more. Mies van der Rohe p Barcelona Pavilion by Mies van der Rohe q Villa Savoye by Le Corbusier 03

7 1.3 Modern Architecture in Hong Kong Architectural features of Modernist architecture: Emphasis on building space based on function No decoration Simple architectural components Geometric forms Suitable for modern living Based on industrial products Modernism was widely adopted in Hong Kong in the 1950s and 1960s. The design approach was to stress aesthetic fundamentals and strive for geometrically pure forms. It was highly functional and expressed aesthetics of simplicity. Reasons for the spread of modern architecture in Hong Kong: 1. In the 1950s, there were urgent needs for infrastructure and new building construction. Modernism became the most suitable building solution because of its simplicity and efficiency. 2. Modern architecture contributed to Hong Kong s reputation as an international city. Prominent public buildings were no longer built in colonial style or traditional Chinese style. Examples of modern architecture in Hong Kong: Queen s College Public housing projects of the 1960s City Hall Jardine House Bridges Street Market q Wan Chai Market, one of the best known examples of modern architecture in Hong Kong, is now being redeveloped as a residential block. The original facade of the market will be kept. Form follows function. Louis Sullivan 04

8 [Discussion] 1 What Modernist architectural features can you find in the design of City Hall? 1. Facade of the tall block of City Hall 2. Semi-open space of City Hall 3. Memorial Garden outside City Hall

9 Suggested Answers Possible perspectives Minimal and non-decorative building style Simple and repetitive structural components - Columns and beams structure Geometrical form - Rectangular lower and higher block - Circular shrine in the memorial garden Forms follow functions. - Designed informed by acoustic consultant. - Lower block comprised of much larger volume elements, for example, the concert hall, the theatre, the restaurant, the ballroom, the main foyers and the main circulation areas - Higher block made up of a number of small elements, for example, art galleries, museums, libraries, and administrative offices Serving society - An urban hub for all people - Civic building Scientific, convenient, economical and efficient way of design - Acoustic consultation for performance spaces - Local materials: granite from quarries in Hong Kong - Inexpensive finishes - Public access Rational approaches - Access to nearby public transport - Design for excellent acoustic performance - Rejection of nearby Victorian-style architectural approaches - Form to follow functions Innovation in the use of materials - Choice of local materials rather than marble used in nearby colonial architecture Industrialized standardized production - Standardized windows p Interview with Ron Philips, the architect of the City Hall Teaching Tips The architect of the City Hall, Ron Philips, talks about the Modernist style of the City Hall in the video. 06

10 p Bridges Street Market, Central [Exercise] Appreciation and Interpretation of Modern Architecture Visit a Modernist building in Hong Kong. Capture the aesthetics of modern architecture with your camera. Develop 5 images that you find are most suitable to express the concept of Modernism. Write around 100 words to describe your perception and give your collection a title. Arrange your works in your own creative composition. Suggested buildings include: City Hall Bank of China Tower Murray Building Bridges Street Market AIA Central St George s Building Teaching Tips Exercise can be combined with the Arts Topic 01: Visit: Central Architectural Forms in Different Times. [Media Corner] Expression of Modern Architecture: Creative works from 3 local artists 07

11 [Appendix: Aesthetics of photography] 1. Composition of photography Composition of photography has only one objective telling the story. There are several ways to compose the objects in your captured image. 井 -composition - Most traditional way of visual balance Shapes - Circles represent fullness, completion and warmth - Rectangles represent human forces, limitations and enclosure - Triangles represent stability and safety. When the triangular composition is reversed, it gives a sense of instability. Linear - Horizontal representing wide, far and peaceful, suitable for landscape images - Vertical representing infinite extension, tall and strong, suitable for portrait images - Diagonal representing movement and perspective - Curved representing indirect guidance to the space - Framing - Invisible lines indicate visual pathways and visual connection - Breaking line balances the image when one particular is too strong Angles - Centred - High-angled - Low-angled Tones and hues - Contrast - High tone - Low tone Expression of depth u Making use of framing, depth, tones and source of light to capture the expression of space Karen Tsui 2. Source of light Light is the most essential element in photography. There are different ways of using light to express your ideas in the frame Nature of light - Direct for sharp and course images - Reflected for soft and peaceful images Directions of light - Front light shows everything in front of the camera but makes objects appear flat - Side light shows the depth and texture of the object - Back light puts the objects in mysterious shadow 08

12 Summary Modernism was widely adopted in architecture after the Second World War, and became a dominant architectural style in Hong Kong in the 20 th century because of the following concepts: form follows function, simplicity efficient construction approaches Modernism did not abandon aesthetic values; on the contrary, historic precedents were abandoned and designers delighted in this new form of architecture. Key words Modernism Form Function Geometry Minimalism Further reading 1. 香港電台, 漫遊城市建築 2. Le Corbusier Foundation 3. Vision of Space - BBC documentary 2003: Mies van der Rohe Less is More Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Organizer Sponsor Research Team 09