Architecture and History

[Matthew Hurwitz]

I really enjoyed getting to explore the architecture of Japan, a part of history that I feel like is often overlooked. I remember taking an AP Art History class in High School and finding it really interesting the ways in which the architecture of a period reflects the political, social, economic, and artistic beliefs of the time. To this day, that class was one of the most enjoyable I've ever taken. Of course, it didn't strike me as odd at the time, but in our entire year long class, we only studied western architecture and art. Given that Asian art and architecture was ommitted, I thought it was interesting that Professor Bharne pointed that for most of us, our understanding of Japanese architecture encompasses only two styles, both of which are unique to different periods. Whereas in western architecture, we understand that styles change along with the people and countries that make them, when it comes to architecture in other countries, our view of their architecture, and thus their societies tends to be static and stuck on one style, one understanding of what Japanese culture is and what Japanese architecture looks like. 

This lecture also made me think about how I can incorporate architecture into my lessons more. I often use architecture in my Imperialism unit as a way of showing the ways in which buildings can be used to convey power, and to show how many of those symbols and styles are still present in former colonies long after the colonizer has left. But I've never looked at contemporary architecture or architecture from other countries in a non-Imperialism context. It made me want to do more research into architecture from different time periods and cultures, and to look at where in my curriculum I can incorporate them for next year.