Art Blog 4:: Ancient Egypt

This is Queen Hatshepsut's funerary temple at Deir El-Bahri (1473-1458 BC). Although this building was not intended to be her tomb, it is still an impressive structure, showing the simple grandeur that was accomplished across most of ancient Egypt. Rather that be on top of the cliff, or have the cliff leveled, the temple is beautifully tucked right up to the cliffs, almost as an extension of the natural landscape. Imagine the alternating levels filled with living fragrant gardens, and the architectural details just rising up from the shrubs and then disappearing into the clifs, as if the winds themselves had carved the temple.

In today's architecture and design, it is not uncommon to see architects and Interior designers pushing to make buildings and spaces more in harmony with their natural surroundings, instead of appearing to have "conquered" their surroundings. However, in antiquity, this unusual union of man with nature is a rare but exciting picture into the, even at that time, forward thinking minds.

Fast forward to the 20th century, and meet architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who spent most of his life looking to integrate His buildings and structures into the natural landscapes of their surroundings. To truly be in harmony with the land rather that dominate it. The pictures should clearly demonstrate that attention to how his structures fit into the landscape with as little intrusion as possible, seeming to "grow" from within the hills and trees, and having a life of their own.

Falling Water::
I love how this home relates to the same vertical and horizontal feeling of trees springing from a crevice in a rock. The horizontal cantilevers also resemble water rushing over rocks to the falls.

Marin County Civic Center::
Talk about civic architecture blending in with its surroundings! The building practically blends in with the contours of the hills that it is nestled in.