Gothic Era and Neo-Gothic Exhibit - Essay Example

?Gothic Era and Neo-Gothic Exbihit Gothic Art is one of the most important developments in arts and architecture. This exhibit aims to open the doorsto the medieval period which was hesitantly accepted by the Americans when Gothic movement was brought to the country by the immigrants. Despite being a conservative country, the movement was still able to influence the arts and architecture which some famous and major works of Gothic Art in America are showcased in this exhibit. The exhibit will be showcased in a dark room which has spotlights on the chosen works of art. The display will be divided into two. The first is composed of the works of Gothic Art in Europe and the second is the Neo-Gothic or Gothic Revival works or architecture in United States. The reason why such artworks of Europe and America were showcased is because it was in Europe where the movement for Gothic Style started. The Americans, on the other hand, were traditionalists or conservatives and it took years before the Gothic style was adapted in the country. Gothic Art Gothic Art includes architecture, painting, sculpture and even music that started in France as a medieval movement. This movement from the Romanesque era to Gothic as well as Gothic to Renaissance was a stand point and marking of changes in periods in media. The Gothic era is considered a radical movement from the classical Roman Empire Culture. What is noted for this era is that it did not have any relation to the Goths. Gothic Art and Architecture Architecture during the Gothic era is considered one of the most significant and original art forms. An example of the earliest Gothic sculptures which is said to be a revolution in style is the Western (Royal) Portal at Chartres Cathedral (ca. 1145). Gothic style is characterized by verticality of structures or high buildings and light. This appearance includes the following features: grouped columns, flying buttresses and corrugated vaults. The Gothic architecture are mostly depicted in castles, town halls, fortresses and cathedrals. Gothic Works of Art EUROPE One of the finest Gothic Structure is the Chartres Cathedral. The Chartres Cathedral is almost perfectly preserved. Its architecture only went through minor changes since the 13th century. It is noted that majority of the original stained glass windows survive intact (www.touropia.com, 10 Gothic Cathedrals of Medieval Europe). It took 140 years for The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore to be completed. This church was built in Gothic style and known as one of Florence’s most beautiful cathedrals and symbol of the city. The external design of the church is made of polychrome marble panels in color green and pink surrounded by white. This very beautiful church is one of the largest in Italy and the dome is the largest in the world. The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore remains to be largest brick dome in the world (www.touropia.com, 10 Gothic Cathedrals of Medieval Europe). The Gothic Revival and the Conservative America Years after the Gothic period rose the era characterized by Victorian style on which details from Gothic Cathedrals and other medieval architecture were revived. In early twentieth century, Gothic Revival ideas were applied to skyscrapers. These twentieth Century Gothic Revival buildings are most commonly called Neo-Gothic. It was in early 1800’s when the recognition Gothic Architectural Revival surge. All throughout the entire United States, New York’s second Trinity Church was only one major building constructed that used Gothic Style. America remained relatively conservative in architecture thus any new styles have hard time gaining a hold. Gothic architecture took years to reach popularity of which it was capable of. If not because of the growing relationship of the United States with England, Gothic would not have gained a foothold in America. The Americans accepted the style because of the symbolisms behind it (Powell 1995). The United States is considered to have always been a melting pot of different cultures due to migration of people for centuries. This merged of cultures from Americans and immigrants was embedded in the society. It was during the 18th century that there was an influx of architectural styles from Europe such as Roman, Egyptian, Greek and Gothic. These styles were immediately used by the immigrants. It was in 1800 when Gothic architecture was used widespread in the United States. These architectural styles can be found in both the North and the South part. This style only reached popularity in 1830’s when a famous Scottish writer wrote in a romantic detailed writings regarding the Gothic buildings. It was during this time when the American eyes accepted the grandeur of the medieval period. The revival of this period also appeared in writings of Alexander Pope and David Mallet (Powell 1995). FAMOUS NEO- GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE IN THE UNITED STATES An early exemplar of Gothic Revival Architecture in America is the wonderful John Dorsey’s Mansion which was supposedly built in 1810 at Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Upon Dorsey’s death, the mansion was re-purposed as the Saint John’s Catholic Orphan Asylum, but was demolished in 1853 to make way for the Concert hall. Lyndhurst mansion is one of the most prominent romantic structures built in the United States overlooking the natural beauty of the Hudson River. This was designed in Gothic revival style by the famous architect A.J. Davis. The rolling lawns and majestic variety of trees added to the picturesque concept of the mansion (www.preservationnation.org, Lyndhurst). Architect Cass Gilbert combined the Gothic design with modern technology in the Woolworth Building. Basic feature of Gothic style is verticality and height. This building contained steel frame to survive high winds and high speed elevator. Lobby was made out of marble, mosaics and bronze. The terra cotta facade was inspired by the Gothic style (architect.about.com, The Woolworth Building). This Chicago Tribune Towers built in 1924 was created by architects Raymond Hood and John Howells. The designers may have appealed to the judges such that the tower revealed a conservative approach. The facade of the towers is studded with rocks which came from the great buildings around the world (www.aia.com, 1905-1930: Neo-Gothic). Hearst Castle in San Simeon California is one of the most famous and most wealthy castles in America. It was built by Randolph Hearst who reflected in his work the power and money of early Twentieth Century politics and Hollywood (medievalcastles.stormthecastle.com, A Look at Medieval Castles In America). . . This famous spooky Hammond Castle in Gloucester Massachusetts was built in the 1920’s by the very successful and wealthy Dr. John Hammond, the “Father of Remote Control” and an inventor of par with Thomas Edison. This castle was built to serve as his home and as a backdrop of his love for Roman, medieval and Rennaissance artifacts. Hammond castle was a gift for his wife. This place also served as a house for his Hammond Research Corporation which he produced over 400 patents and the ideas for over 800 inventions (www.hammondcastle.org, Hammond Castle). The building was carefully constructed to create a splendidly detailed structure with gothic forms. It was said that the building was constructed according to suite the environment on where it is built. Gothic architecture can be seen in the door and window frames on every flat surface, pinnacles and the footbridge which was added in 1912 (nyc-architecture, Neo-Gothic). One of the firsts to use the terra-cotta material, Liberty Tower became a trend in the skyscraper buildings. A 33-story building is considered the radical counterpart of the Woolworth Building. This building embodies the gothic style characterized by being freestanding (nyc-architecture, Neo-Gothic). The General Electric Building represents the Neo-Gothic architecture with freestanding tower, ostentatious top with different spires and lightning bolt designs. The top part of the building is known as the “crown” or giant torch. It also has various glass fixtures and brickworks (nyc-architecture, Neo-Gothic). The Tudor City is an apartment type building that portrays a neo-Gothic design with steel frame and brick cladding with stone trim. The building stood as vertical towers with peaks and pinnacles (nyc-architecture, Neo-Gothic). The SS Cyril and Methodius and St. Raphael church features the neo-gothic characteristics of bigger and higher tower with spires dug in panelled walls. These towers show the detailed glass works and work of stone dressings on walls (nyc-architecture, Neo-Gothic). Conclusion The exhibit is designed to revive the significance of the Neo-Gothic architecture which are very visible in the buildings that we see around us. Skyscrapers and tall buildings with buttresses and pointed arches, towers and spires, complex and detailed windows and exteriors, intricate stonework, thorny like stones and even fleche rising from roofs are products of the significant radical movement in architecture. References: “10 Gothic Cathedrals of Medieval Europe.” Touropia. 2011. Web. 22 March 2012. “1905-1930: Neo-Gothic.” AIA. n.d.Web. 23 March 2012. “A Look at Medieval Castles In America.” medievalcastles.stormthecastle.com. n.d. Web. 23 March 2012. “Hammond Castle.” www.hammondcastle.org. n.d. Web. 22 March 2012. “Lyndhurst.” Preservation.org. n.d. Web. 23 March 2012. Martindale, Andrew Henry Robert. “ Gothic Arts”. 1995. Web. 23 March 2012. “Neo-Gothic.” New York Architecture. n.d. Web. 5 April 2012. Powell, Carrie Ann. “The Gothic Revival’s Survival in the United States.” 1995. Web. 23 March 2012. “The Woolworth Building.” Architecture.about.com. n.d. Web. 23 March 2012. Read More