Jerilyn Hale
Assignment 1A
1.) Citation:
Dell Upton, “Architectural History or Landscape History?” Journal of Architectural Education (1984-), Vol. 44, No. 4. (Aug., 1991), pp. 195-199.
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici+10464883%28199108%2944%3A4%3C195%3AAHOLH%3E2.0.CO%3B2-Z
2.) Argument:
The main argument in Upton’s piece is that the methods of sourcing architectural history are irrelevant because they are very much intertwined and missing the sensual aspects of history. He proposes that a new method be considered and that we should analyze landscape history because it is a focus on the modes of perception
3.) Author:
Dell Upton received his B.A in History and English at Colgate. He continued his education at Brown University receiving his PH.D in American Civilization. He has been employed at both University of California at Berkley and then at University of California at Los Angeles. He teaches on American and world architecture and urbanism, art- and architectural history theories and methods, and many other courses pertaining to humanities. Some of his major publications are and not limited to: Architecture in the United States (Oxford History of Art) in 1998, Holy Things and Profane: Anglican Parish Churches in Colonial Virginia in 1997, and Another City: Urban Life and Urban Spaces in the New American Republic in 2008.
4.) Method:
Upton believes that the ways in which we have sourced architectural history has their flaws and that there is an alternative to consider, and that is landscape culture. The methods used prior where segregated with ideas of low and high architecture or vernacular and professional. Vernacular focusing on culture and craft while professional were elite and monumental structures. Upton argues that both are needed in history and it cannot be viewed as a division “the study of vernacular architecture is deeply and inextricably entwined with that of high architecture.” (Pg. 196) Upton supports the fact that these methods should be studied, however the should no longer become the standard just merely artifacts for they of how we view architectural history. Upton believes that relying on the prior methods leaves historians focusing on issues of intent, when in reality it should be about perception. He suggests the study of cultural landscape; because it is “rhetorical as well as sensual” (pg. 198) Upton believes that this method would encompass more “modes of perception” which he feels is important to the study of architectural history.
The author uses many sources from a multitude of time periods to allow a well-mixed and more insightful discussion. He uses many of his own works as well to help strengthen his own ideas and support a stronger argument.
5.) Keywords:
Vernacular
Monumentality
Cultural Landscape
7.) Evaluate: See Attached
Dyer, Christopher. "History and vernacular architecture." Vernacular architecture 28.(1997): 1-8. Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals. EBSCO. Web. 8 Sept. 2011.
Groth, Paul Erling. "Generic buildings and cultural landscapes as sources of urban
history." Journal of architectural education 41.3 (1988): 41-44. Avery Index to
Architectural Periodicals. EBSCO. Web. 8 Sept. 2011.
8.) Rationale:
In Christopher Dyer’s essay, I found he backed up the statements Upton had said regarding the vernacular architects. Dyer address the issues of vernacular architecture not being present in history books primarily because “the difficult relationship between those who practice history as a discipline and a profession, and those who study standing buildings.” (Pg. 1) This essay further examines the vernacular architect in aspects of economy and society, while it goes in much farther detail it is only supporting the statements made by Upton when he references Vernacular architecture as on to do with the social standings.
The essay by Groth is a brief description of a particular building type the hotel. However he addresses the issue of design with eyes that look not for aesthetics or form like done before. Groth goal is to “help professional and the general public read the physical fabric of the city and country as a text of social and cultural history.” (Pg. 44) In Upton’s argument he want history and buildings to be viewed and to take in our senses and perception. Groth believes that these cultural histories are still active participants in design. This can support Upton’s argument with the ideas that we are constantly building and exercising cultural history and bringing new perceptions. There is no formal design intent just one that will develop from the fabric of the city.
Jerilyn Hale
Assignment 1b
Conclusion of Mind Maps:
The keywords chosen were nature, light and restoration. These words to me are all things that I have an interest in and my hope in the exercise was that I could find some overlapping themes. Between all of the words chosen the term “sustainability” appeared number of times. I found it easy to talk mostly about the word “Nature”, however not all are connected to architecture. The word I enjoyed most was restoration, it proved to be the most difficult and I often found myself stuck think about only a few words out. I would like to explore these things further because other then sustainability I am sure they can overlap.
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