Art, Architecture & Aesthetics

January 21^st, 2016

The Aesthetics of Architecture by Roger Scruton

Lecture by Prof. Srivathsan

Roger Scruton is an English philosopher specializing in aesthetics and has written numerous books on the topic. In the first part of this book he begins to discuss the philosophical meaning of aesthetics as it is applied to art and architecture. He suggests that aesthetics is intrinsic to architecture and is dependent on the philosophy of mind and its capacities for experience and judgement. Aesthetical experience is not based out of a tangible or outward character, but rather a quality that emerges from individual experiences, emotions and thought processes.

Prof. Srivathsan attempts to simplify the fundamental philosophical dialogue one has with oneself during the process of decoding the significance of aesthetics in architecture by discussing examples of the Tamil Nadu Assembly and the Royal Ontario Museum and the diverse aesthetical views they attracted. He goes on to pose important questions – Why do we prefer one building to the other and what is this preference? What significance such preferences have for us? These preferences can be based on multiple aspects, such as, moral understanding, scientific reasoning and sensory perceptions. So how do we recognize the importance of aesthetics?

We begin by acknowledging architecture as a form of art that is distinguished from all other arts through certain features- functionality, technology, activities, highly localized quality, continuity with decorative art and the experiences encountered. Unlike other forms of art where the outcome is open to interpretation by the people who wish to or the artist wishes to witness, architecture remains a public object within a context, imposed on everyone that occupy or pass through it. Unlike art, architecture cannot be easily reproduced, as it’s existence hinges on the sense of place and not to just design.

Furthermore to discuss reason against aesthetics, substance against style, Prof. Srivathsan states that style and substance cannot be differentiated, for which he refers to Clear and Simple As the Truth, by Thomas and Turner stating, “style is like a type face in which the text is printed. It (style) is a varnish that makes the truth at least a little harder to see.”

He goes on to add that every individual has an opinion, but not every opinion is criticism. So, if architecture is unique how does one criticize it? To make a meaningful judgment one must be equipped with knowledge and a developed taste.

Srivathsan, poses some existential questions- How is a building designed? Why is aesthetics important?  If building could stand without aesthetics then what is the role of the architect? To understand the importance of aesthetics, the architect understands the needs of a client and studies the interactions of these wants. He then devises a mechanism that responds to them and the building becomes a means to an end. Beauty is then projected as a consequence of his activity but not a part of his aim.

He sites the example of House of Love by Ledoux, as a bad model of symbolism as aesthetics, suggesting that a conscious design is superficial as it overlooks relational concepts. Need is a central argument in rational design, to explain this he defines need as - ‘x’ needs ‘y’ only if the being of ‘x is dependent of ‘y’.

Humans flourish though needs and values. To clarify, not all preferences are values; but rather values are more significant than preferences. To explain this he gives the example of a choice of outfit that comes not only out of need but also the value or what it does to one’s appearance. In architectural terms, what it would be like to live in a building, one anticipates the experience the building will create in the person who inhabits it. Hence living in a piece of architecture is not just a need.

To sum up, the aesthetic value is a capacity to notice things and can be acquired through education rather than learning. It forms an important component of the mental faculties – theoretical, practical and aesthetical. As P. N. Srinivasachari states in The Philosophy of Vasistadvaita, “aesthetics is an essential quality of reality and it is a spiritual experience exalted by imgaination. World as a beautiful manifestation.” 

(Word Count- 657)