The Americas

The term "The Americas" refers to five main civilizations; this would include Olmec, Teotihuacan, Mayas, Aztecs, and the Incas.
The Olmec were the first major civilization in Mexico. They were famous for many things: hieroglyphic writing, 1st calendar in Western Hemisphere, temple focused city type, Mesoamerican ballgame, and realistic art work. La Venta was the first example of temple focused city type. The ceremony center consisted of a ball court, small pyramids, burial grounds, giant stone heads, and great pyramid of earth. 

The art was made up of delicate carvings of jade, rock crystals, and less valuable stone, ax heads, masks, decorative objects, and mural paintings and pottery. 

Teotihuacan stood for "Place of the Gods" and was known for its ceremonial center that was 2 miles in length. There was a central spine named "Road of the Dead", a Temple of the Feathered Serpent, and a Pyramid of the Sun/Pyramid of the Moon. 

The Teotihuacan arts were like the Olmec; they had decorative pottery. Their motifs included birds, butterflies, flowers and abstract signs. 

The major ceremonial site in Mayas was Chichen Itza, which meant mouth of the well of the Itza. It featured a four sided pyramid called Castillo, had chacmool, and a jaguar throne.

The Aztecs were known for their creation of art expression of thoughts on life. Their architecture expressed their throughs and beliefs. Templo Mayor was their main Temple in the town of Tenochtitlan.

The Incas had the largest empire in Pre-Columbia America. Machu Picchu was the royal estate for the Incan emperor Pachacuti. It had trapezoid shaped openings which set it apart.

Current Applications:

Peer Discussion: 

I looked through Alecia's blog. I really liked her first modern application photo. All that makes that room fit in with this design period is the paint and it grasps the design so perfectly. 

I also looked at Karri's blog and I liked her modern application pictures as well. She showed other modern applications other than just design.

Gothic Design

Gothic architecture was a design period that came about during medieval times. It evolved from the Romanesque design period. You can see major Gothic architecture in churches and cathedrals. The main characteristic you can see in all Gothic buildings is the pointed arch. Other characteristics are the ribbed vault, buttresses, large windows, and towers. Most existing cathedrals and churches are found in Northern France, Spain, and England. 

The Parish Church of St Mary Redcliffe: Bristol, England

This church is the largest parish church in England. It has a chapel extending to the east of the chancel, and a larger tower placed asymmetrically to the north of the west front. The north porch has an inner component dating from 1200, with black Purbeck Marble columns.

Cathedral of Saint-Gatian: Tours, France

This cathedral is the Roman Catholic cathedral church of the Tours diocese. It was built between 1170 and 1547.

Current Applications:

Peer Discussions:

I reviewed Sammy's blog. I absolutely love the third current application picture she found. The balconies are stunning. 

I also reviewed Micah's blog and liked how she went into detail about the carvings. 

Byzantine

The Byzantine design period started at the same time as Early Christian (330 C.E.) but lasted much longer, in 1453 C.E. The term is used to describe the medieval Roman Empire because it evolved as a distinct artistic and cultural entity. 

Byzantine architecture closely resembles Roman architecture. Over time however, technological advancement, and political changes made the style change. Buildings increased in geometric complexity. New materials were used such as brick, plaster, and stone. Domes started resting on massive piers and windows filtered light through think sheets of alabaster to illuminate interiors. 

Hagia Sophia

One popular building was Hagia Sophia. The building had a central plan with a circle of windows. There was a massive dome that resembled the importance of the building. They built with hollow tile which while building, collapsed 2-3 times. 

Karamagara Bridge

The Karamagara Bridge is a Byzantine bridge in the ancient region of Cappadocia, in EasternTurkey. It is the earliest known pointed arch bridge. 

Current Applications:

Many people have problems trying to distinct the Roman Empire from the Byzantine. This video describes how the Byzantine Empire was created.

Early Christian

The Early Christian design period lasted from 330-800 C.E. The term Early Christian is used to describe the art and architecture of the first Christian communities (Western Europe). 

There were many characteristics of Early Christian Architecture. Popular ones were centrally planned buildings, separate baptisteries, adaption of Roman basilica form of churches, separation of interior of churches into nave and flanking aisles, clerestory windows, entrance of church opposite apse, towers flanking exonarthex, and the chief goal was to glorify God.

Old St. Peter's Cathedral

An example of Early Christian Architecture was Old St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome. It was the chief monument of Christianity and the tomb of St. Peter. The exterior of the Cathedral was very plain while the interior is elaborate. It has masonry walls, clerestory windows, wood roof, and wood truss ceilings. The interior is covered with frescos of biblical accounts from the Old and New Testament.

Throne of Maximian 540 C.E.

Very few pieces of Early Christian furniture exist. The ones that have been found are very elaborate, decorated with caving and jewels. Typically the furniture from this design period follow the Roman style.

Most Early Christian current styles we see included tall Cathedral ceilings or arches. 

The video I found this week is a 3D reconstruction of St. Peter's basilica. It goes through what the exterior and interior looks like. 

Classical Civilization Rome

Rome served as a catalyst in spreading art and civilization. It had the greatest power west of China at the time.

The had very many accomplishments, such as, transportation (mastered road building), buildings, columns, extravagant ornamentation in furniture, vault and dome from the Etruscans, and the discovery of concrete.

They had different kinds of structures, religious (tombs and temples), commerce and law, recreation (public baths, circus, and theaters), and memorial structures. 

Their most important discovery was the Colosseum. These structures sat at least 50,000 people and were made of concrete and stone. We can compare the look of this to modern day sports arenas. In ancient Rome these buildings were used for gladiator fights and cultural events. The famous Colosseum was built in 80 A.D. 

Colosseum

Another popular building was the Pantheon built in 126 A.D. It was commissioned by Marcus Agrippa and rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian. It was a round temple with a dome. It was the world's largest unreinforced concrete domes of the world. 

Pantheon

Current Applications:

This video I found describes the life of a teenager in ancient Rome, but it also shows the living conditions they had. 

Peer Discussions: 

I reviewed Nichole's blog and what I like was how she went into more depth on why the Roman's started using concrete. 

I also looked at Katie's blog and liked how she went into detail on the color palette they used and why. 

Classical Civilization Greece

Greek civilization began with western ideas and culture. It shows the worth of the individual and democracy. 

The Golden Age was from 480-400 B.C. In this time period one of the most important buildings was built called the Parthenon. It was an ancient temple on the Athenian Acropolis. The structure was dedicated to the goddess Athena. 

Parthenon established 438 B.C.

Even though many Greek buildings are impressive, domestic buildings were not. They were usually built with mud brick, if possible on a stone foundation, with wooden frameworks and terra-cotta roof tiles. Most houses were arranged around an inner courtyard with very few windows. This was for security and to limit heat coming in. 

This is a current Greek home. Most homes are white with accents of blue. Most current Greek designs have a touch of blue in them.

Here's some toss pillows that have a pattern to them that's known as Greek. Like I said before you can also see that they have some blue in them.

I was interested in how Ancient Greece got started up, I found this fairly short informative video I wanted to share!

Peer Discussions:

I reviewed Mackenzies blog; I liked how she also showed the style of columns in Greece and talked about how they were developed and used by the Greek first.

I also reviewed Paige's blog. I liked the current application picture she found. I think it had very many features to it that were Greek.