The Arts and Architecture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

The Arts and Architecture - Essay Example As Walter H. Godfrey (1991) rightly puts it: "...architecture is the crystallisation of history. All the arts, to a large extent, depend for their growth and encouragement on the broad movements of national life, which have their bases in profound historical conditions or great political events. But the connection between these things and architecture is more intimate, more direct, and infinitely more obvious even to the unskilled observer than in the case of, say, literature or painting." (p. 2). The first forms of architectural designs can be traced back to the early Greeks in the Hellenistic period and architectural festivals that celebrated the rich cultural heritage of the nation is a recent development in Europe and the Western World. The paper here tries to analyse the various events that are held during the London Festival of Architecture and try to unearth the cultural and national significance for the event among the audience. The paper tries to analyze the London Festival of Architecture and to bring out the major theoretical aspects regarding the growth of architecture in London. The London Festival of Architecture is celebrated in each summer and this year it has taken place recently from June 20, 2008 to July 20, 2008. The festival is regarded as one of the best festivals the nation has witnessed as it offers myriads of opportunity for the spectators both for enlightenment and entertainment. Like any other architectural fest, the London Festival of Architecture unearths the best form of artistic perfection of the past generation and all the architectural monuments have a different story of culture or myth associated with it. They are reminiscent of some of the most important cultural and historical heritage and as such they have got a lot to offer to the spectators. The 2008's London Festival of Architecture offers to provide fresh outlooks to the onlookers as its theme is FRESH: "The theme of this ye ar's festival is FRESH and organizers are exhorting visitors to take a fresh look at London, to indulge in fresh thinking, to enjoy the fresh talent on show and the fresh air of the walks and rides." (Williams). The festival is located in the central London, providing easy access to the many visitors who witness the festival. Content: The London Architectural Festival consists of a variety of programs, each of which focuses on one architectural monument or other. The major highlights of the festival include the LFA Clerkenwell & City of London Hub walking tour 1, LFA Clerkenwell & City of London Hub walking tour 2, Barbican flat tours 2, Barbican Screening : Garbage Warrior, Barbican Screening: The Rural Studio, the Brazilian Architecture in the 20th Century, Building the South Bank, Embodied Energy: Dance at Carter Lane, Fresh Views of London, 24 Hour Film Competition: Prize Giving, Green Sky Thinking, Roman Fort gate, and the Digital Architecture Film Showcase. The London Architectural Festival covers architectural monuments like the City Information Centre, National Portrait Gallery, Liverpool street station balcony. Aim: The aim of the paper is to analyze each event in the London Festiv