Women and Architecture
Whoever, if anyone, reads this entry: when I speak of women and architecture, I do not speak of femininity or objectification, or the natural rights of women everywhere. Nor am I a feminist, as I do not believe in segregating my beliefs to satisfy some 'universal', historical misdemeanor of mankind. But let it also stand that: I do not deny sexism as a past and present issue. However, and however this may be taken, when all is said and done, both sexes have amazing and proportionately atrocious attributes-- distinct natures are present in both the male and female- and however varied they are, there are still things which make us who, or rather what, we are.
The long list of architects I study are widely male. The first thing that comes to my mind isn't "employers of architects have been sexist" or: "architecture programs have been widely discriminatory towards women", or: "socially, women have not been regarded as people capable of producing good architecture."
Hell no. Instead:
This made me think of the fine details in expressions of grandness and/or brilliance: notions or conceptions of masculinity, versus conceptions of humanity. Every building is made as a testament to and representation of humanity: but how many of these would we consider to be a testament to man, versus a testament to mankind? Especially, if masculine versus human buildings exist, what is the relevance to modern architecture and modernist philosophy? Modern architecture has continually been symbolic of progressiveness and, even more so: the natural, the organic. Although, somehow, why is it that I feel the grandeur, the cryptic qualities of our most celebrated works of art are masculine? Is it because for so long, present society (ie. my environment) has associated the celebration of the human being to be largely masculine in its qualities? Has mankind always been viewed as masculine in strength? Or do I simply misunderstand, or have come to believe that 'masculine' qualities are exclusively masculine? If I begin to think of qualities that come to mind when masculinity comes to mind, I think: Strength, solidity. I imagine le corbusier's man: The harmonious man. I imagine Michelangelo's thinking man: Representing progress, beauty, strength, intelligence. And then I think: this is most certaintly applicable to the feminine:
But I begin to wonder. When constructing in the image of man, the image of humanity: How much, if any, of WHAT we are influences our works of art? And how will I, if given the chance, build something? How, if at all, will my femininity materialize? Why this seems to be more of a fear, than just a simple question... Is another matter.
The long list of architects I study are widely male. The first thing that comes to my mind isn't "employers of architects have been sexist" or: "architecture programs have been widely discriminatory towards women", or: "socially, women have not been regarded as people capable of producing good architecture."
Hell no. Instead:
This made me think of the fine details in expressions of grandness and/or brilliance: notions or conceptions of masculinity, versus conceptions of humanity. Every building is made as a testament to and representation of humanity: but how many of these would we consider to be a testament to man, versus a testament to mankind? Especially, if masculine versus human buildings exist, what is the relevance to modern architecture and modernist philosophy? Modern architecture has continually been symbolic of progressiveness and, even more so: the natural, the organic. Although, somehow, why is it that I feel the grandeur, the cryptic qualities of our most celebrated works of art are masculine? Is it because for so long, present society (ie. my environment) has associated the celebration of the human being to be largely masculine in its qualities? Has mankind always been viewed as masculine in strength? Or do I simply misunderstand, or have come to believe that 'masculine' qualities are exclusively masculine? If I begin to think of qualities that come to mind when masculinity comes to mind, I think: Strength, solidity. I imagine le corbusier's man: The harmonious man. I imagine Michelangelo's thinking man: Representing progress, beauty, strength, intelligence. And then I think: this is most certaintly applicable to the feminine:
But I begin to wonder. When constructing in the image of man, the image of humanity: How much, if any, of WHAT we are influences our works of art? And how will I, if given the chance, build something? How, if at all, will my femininity materialize? Why this seems to be more of a fear, than just a simple question... Is another matter.