Architecture theology
Ruskin explores the specific means through which the lamp of truth can be darkened in the architectural field. He holds a romantic perception of architecture by judging the art by a similar criterion to that which is applied to painting and romantic poetry. This statement indicates that a good building should show sincerity so that it generally expresses its materials structure and the extent of handwork. It also tends to show the need for architectural transparency which should stand as the basis of architectural ethic[1]. Ruskin was advocating for this transparency after having established that architectural dishonesty can be more heinous than it can be in other arts.
An honest architecture should not dissemble at all but should express clearly what it is. This kind of transparency approach can make a modest building to look modest while the humble one to look small. While these types of expressions can be viewed as being aesthetically flawed, when it comes to transparency such flaws can be pardoned but dishonesty cannot. Ruskin’s belief in honesty as a transcendent and redemptive aesthetic represents how architecture was viewed in the 19th and beginning of 20th century[2]. During these periods, regardless of the architectural expression’s flavor and as long as it was transparent or be understood as an honest medium, this design was seen as ethically redeemed. However, such transparency and honesty may be hard to achieve given that architecture is rooted deep within the work of design. The design stems from the representational system of architecture which is drawing[3]. However, drawing emerges from assumptions that link with fiction to enable an architect to design after separating buildings realization from a prefiguring moment.
References
Smith, K. (2013).Introducing Architectural Theory: Debating a Discipline. Routledge.74-76
Landow, G. P. (2015). Aesthetic and Critical Theory of John Ruskin. Princeton University Press. 82-84
LUCE, K., Senseke, N. (n.d).Reconsidering the Ethics of Transparency. University of Michigan.167-169
[1] Smith, K. (2013).Introducing Architectural Theory: Debating a Discipline. Routledge.74-76
[2] LUCE, K., Senseke, N. (n.d).Reconsidering the Ethics of Transparency. University of Michigan.167-169
[3] Landow, G. P. (2015). Aesthetic and Critical Theory of John Ruskin. Princeton University Press. 82-84
