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Enlightenment, Modernity and Architecture
The period of enlightenment led to the establishment of new ideas and philosophical notions. Modernity became the concept that would promote change in social, political and economic aspects. The field of architecture was also affected by these notions with different approaches towards modernity. Immanuel Kant describes enlightenment as an important component that is used to promote individual understanding and critical thinking (Kant 83). This is agreeable because it is crucial for individuals to subject all principles and beliefs to critical investigation. Hilde also expounds on this concept to form a critique of architecture with respect to modernity.
The model of art experienced numerous changes and opposition in the period of enlightenment. This is because the concept of modernity is always conflicting with tradition. According to Kant, freedom is the essence of enlightenment. Art also requires this freedom as nothing is concluded as permanent and standard. Individuals are free to make use of reason to question issues that affect them. Hilde also describes the distinction that exists between modernization, modernism and modernity. This is important because majority of the people in the world cannot distinguish the three concepts. However, the three models are related because they connect objective and subjective development.
The programmatic approach has the view that modernity features an emergence of autonomy that is irreversible in spheres such as art and science (Heynen 12). However, another perspective establishes modernity as a project. Modernity is a cycle that affects the field of art and particularly architecture. The different views have led to the development of a new perspective called post-modernism. This system has the same approach that the enlightenment philosophers like Kant had advocated. However, criticizing the concept of modernity in architecture is important. This is because change is an enviable event that should be analyzed critically. Kant’s approach is resourceful for individuals to assess issues and create sustainable solutions.
Works Cited
Kant, Immanuel. Foundations of Metaphysics of Morals and What is Enlightenment? Second Edition London: Macmillan Publishers. Print.
Heynen, Hilde. Architecture and Modernity: A Critique. Cambridge, Mass: MIT, 2000. Print.
Modernity in Aviles, Spain
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Architecture in the period of enlightenment, Loire Valley Castles