34.1k views
2 votes
In an analysis of Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Pavilion, writer Robin Evans describes the 'appearance' of the reflective metallic columns as

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Pavilion is an example of modernist architecture, notable for its reflective metallic columns. His work on the pavilion and later buildings like the Seagram Building showcased his pioneering use of industrial materials and creation of reflective environments, influencing both architecture and the broader arts.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Barcelona Pavilion, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, is an iconic masterpiece of modernist architecture. Mies van der Rohe's approach to this structure was based on an exploration of space and the use of industrial materials like steel and glass to redefine interior and exterior boundaries.

His experimentation with the load-bearing capacities of steel allowed for transcendental design choices like the open plan and the use of reflective metallic columns which contribute to the reflection and interplay of light within the pavilion.

The design philosophy saw further evolution in Mies van der Rohe's later works, such as the Seagram Building in New York, which continued to emphasize the aesthetics of glass curtain walls and had a significant impact on 20th-century urban architecture.

Mies van der Rohe's innovative use of materials to achieve both functional and aesthetic outcomes was pioneering in shifting the traditional views of what buildings should look like, particularly in his ideas for a skyscraper with a steel skeleton and glass cladding which diverged from the masonry cladding of his contemporaries.

Reflectivity and material properties play a crucial role not only in Mies van der Rohe's architecture but also in other forms of art, as exemplified by artists like Eliasson in The Weather Project and Goings in Amsterdam Diner, who explored the manipulation of light and reflection in their works.

Similarly, the incorporation of materials with specific qualities, such as the mirrored foil and mono-frequency lamps by Eliasson, demonstrates the thoughtful engagement with the viewer's experience and the environmental context of the artwork.

User Samuel Vicent
by
7.6k points