1) When and where did the Renaissance begin?
2) What were the main sources of knowledge of the classical style in architecture?
3) What was the basic element of Renaissance art?
4) Who was the first to formulate and show the Renaissance system of perspective?
5) What was the first building in the Renaissance manner?
6) What is the largest Church in the Christian world?
7) What phase of the Renaissance does the St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome represent?
4. Translate the sentences into English. Use words and phrases from the text “The Renaissance” and ex.3, p.7.
1) Представители этого стиля использовали в архитектуре рифленые пилястры, гладкие своды, колонны, поддерживающие арки.
2) Данный стиль утверждает принципы классического, античного искусства.
3) Архитектурными образцами, спроектированными в этом стиле, являются церкви, дворцы, хорошо организованные городские пространства.
4) Лучшими традициями этого стиля являются классические ордеры, круглые арки, симметричная композиция, линейная перспектива.
5) Гармония между пропорциями человеческого тела и архитектурой отличает данный стиль.
6) Самым ярким свидетельством данного стиля является Собор св. Петра в Риме.
7) Типичными чертами стиля являются архитектурные пропорции и перспектива.
8) Представителями Ренессанса в архитектуре являются Филиппо Брунеллески и Донато Браманте.
5. Use the following clichés and write the retelling of the text “The Renaissance”.
This text is about …
This topic (subject, problem) presents some (much) interest for those who study…
This topic (subject, problem) presents some importance for those who are interested in …
The author points out / mentions / says / emphasizes / draws our attention to the fact that …
It is necessary to say / mention / emphasize that …
It should be said / mentioned / pointed out / stressed / emphasized that…
Firstly / secondly / finally
Besides / also / moreover / then / after that
On the one hand…, on the other hand… / however
The author gives some interesting / useful examples of …
There are some interesting / useful examples illustrating …
To sum it up / In conclusion, I’d like to say that …
The author arrives to the following conclusions…
Text 2
Read the text and fill in the chart below about the main features of the Baroque and Rococo.
Baroque and Rococo
Baroque and late Baroque, or Rococo, are terms applied to European art of the period from the early 17thcentury to the mid 18thcentury.
The word “baroque” was derived from the Italian word “baroque”. This word also meant irregular or imperfect form, especially with reference to pearl.
The Baroque style is characterized by spatially complex compositions, interpenetration[11] of oval spaces, curved surfaces and remarkable use of decoration broken pediments, paired or coupled columns or pilasters. The Baroque art was essentially concerned with vivid[12] colours, hidden[13] light sources, luxurious materials and elaborate[14], contrasting surface textures. There was a tremendous richness of motifs-festoons of flowers and fruits, masks, scrolls, wreaths and weapons. During the Baroque period, architecture, painting and sculpture were integrated into decorative ensembles. Architects used sculpture to support the members of a building, painters decorated the walls and vaults of churches with false architectural perspectives, sculptors introduced colour in their works in the spirit of a painter.
The Baroque rapidly developed into two separate forms: the strongly Roman Catholic counties (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Flanders, Bohemia, Southern Germany, Australia and Poland) tended toward freer and more active architectural forms and surfaces; in Protestant regions (England, the Netherlands and the remainder of Northern Europe) architecture was more restrained[15] and developed a quiet monumentality impressive in its refinement[16].
The greatest works of this style are Dome des Invalides by Hardouin-Mansart [17](1); the church of Santa Susanna (2); Versailles (3); Royal Palace in Madrid (4); Royal Palace at Caserta (5).
1) 2) 3) 4) 5)
The Rococo is assumed to have been the late phase of the Baroque, primarily French in origin. The style was first inspired by the shell-encrusted artificial fountains and grottoes at Versailles. This style refined the robust[18] architecture of the 17thcentury to suit elegant 18thcentury tastes. Vivid colours were replaced by pastel shades; diffuse[19] light flooded the building volume; violent surface relief was replaced by smooth flowing masses with emphasis only at isolated points. One can find intermingling[20] of shells, C - and S - scrolls[21], rocks, seaweed[22], ribbons and carving and irregular acanthus foliation[23]. Churches and palaces still demonstrated an integration of the three arts, but the building structure was lightened to render interiors graceful and ethereal[24]. Rococo architects reduced column size to a minimum. In churches, the ceilings of side aisles were raised to the height of the nave ceiling unify the space from wall to wall.
The finest examples of the Rococo style are Church of the "Madonna del Carmine", Turin, Italy (1732) (1); The Steinhausen Church of Pilgrimage, Germany (1728) (2); Saint - Jacques, Luneville, France (1730) (3).
1) 2) 3)
| Similar Features | Different features |
| 1. | |
| 2. | |
| 3. |
2. Choose the sentences which correspond to the contents of the text:
1) Baroque is a term applied to European Art of the early 15thcentury.
2) The word “baroque” was used to describe an irregular or imperfectly shaped pearl only.
3) The Baroque style was concerned with bright colours, hidden light sources and contrasting surface textures.
4) Cheap materials were used during the Baroque period.
5) The Rococo is considered to be the late phase of the Baroque.
6) The Rococo style is assumed to have appeared in France.
7) During the Rococo period there was no more integration of architecture, painting and sculpture.
3. Answer the questions:
1) How is the word “Baroque” defined?
2) What are the main features of the Baroque?
3) What outstanding Baroque architects do you know?
4) When did the Rococo appear?
5) What are typical characteristics of the Rococo?
4. Use the clichés from ex. 5, p. 14 and write the retelling of the text “Baroque and Rococo”.
Text 3
Read the text.
High-tech style
Features
High-tech style embraces an industrial look, in which the decor and the building itself are obviously very influenced by technology. High-tech buildings are often created from such materials as heavy steel girders[25], a metal deck plate[26], metal shelves often seen in hospitals and factories, and a concrete structure. The outside of the building, instead of being opaque[27], is often made entirely of windows or mirrored glass, not stressing the decorative outside of the building but revealing the skeleton of the building itself.
Examples
High-tech style can be seen in almost any city in the world.
One of the most well-known examples of high-tech style is the Swiss Re building [28] in London – more commonly known as The Gherkin[29], because of its distinctive, peaked shape. Designed by British architect Norman Foster, the building is the sixth tallest in London, and stands out from the background of centuries-old buildings from miles around. The Gherkin was opened in 2004, and has been featured in a number of television shows and movies, quickly becoming one of London's most recognized modern symbols. Also in London is the Lloyd's Building, which is unique as all of its staircases, elevators, ventilation shafts and piping are on the outside of the building.
Another well-known example is the Bank of China Tower, located in Hong Kong. Designed by architect I.M. Pei, the building was designed to resemble tall, slender shoots of bamboo.
The Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, France, is the home to a massive library, as well as to IRCAM[30], a centre for music research. Color-coded pipes and ventilation shafts figure predominantly on the outside of the building.
Munich's Olympic Stadium also displays a unique high-tech style, with steel cables and domes of glass that were designed to represent mountains and a newer, more modern Germany.
History
High-tech style made its first appearances after World War II. Much of Europe – from England all the way across the continent – had been ravaged[31] by war, leaving countless buildings destroyed. When the time came to rebuild, designers and architects replaced many of the old edifices[32] with ones done in a forward-thinking, new style that was intended to show something new rising from the ashes of destruction.
Also, the postwar era was a time when scientific advances were taking the world by storm, from advances in industrial and medical practices to science and technology. This new world was undeniable[33], and was reflected heavily in the buildings that were being developed at the time.
The name "high-tech style" came about in 1978, and was coined[34] by a pair of home-design specialists: Joan Kron and Suzanne Slesin. Their book, "High Tech: The Industrial Style and Source Book for The Home," shared ideas for bringing the high-tech look into the home.
High-Tech in the Home
High-tech style isn't just for the outside of a building; it's also hugely popular indoors as well.
The style stresses an industrial look. Pipes can be worked into the decor of the home, instead of hidden in a cupboard or closet. Elements of a high-tech room can include factory lighting; partial room dividers made of glass bricks; warehouse or hospital shelving[35] painted in flamboyant colors; work benches for countertops[36]; and office chairs for furniture. Steel appliances and even dishes can accent the style, as can geometric patterns in floors and walls.
Significance
High-tech style came about when architects and designers were looking for a way to liven up modern architecture. In many places, any sort of modern architecture had been replaced with economy buildings, as well as homes, apartment buildings and office buildings that appeared to have been made from a mold[37]. The high-tech style not only showed a rebellious attitude on the part designers who were willing to try something completely different, but also displayed impressive faith in what was to come. Technological advances were on everyone's mind, and this high-tech style leaned away from traditional architecture and more toward science fiction and the world of tomorrow.
Answer the questions.
1) When did the high-tech style appear?
2) What are the typical features of this style?
3) What are the most famous architectural models constructed in this style?
4) What are the main characteristics of high-tech interior?
Use the answers from this exercise, the phrases from ex.3, p.7 and retell the text “High-tech style”.
3. Use the clichés from ex. 5, p. 14 and write the retelling of the text “High-tech style”.
Text 4
Read and retell the text.
Futurism
Futurism was an artistic and social movement that originated in Italy in the early 20th century. It emphasized and glorified themes associated with contemporary concepts of the future, including speed, technology, youth and violence, and objects such as the car, the airplane and the industrial city. It was largely an Italian phenomenon, though there were parallel movements in Russia, England and elsewhere. The Futurists practiced in every medium of art, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, graphic design, industrial design, interior design, theatre, film, fashion, textiles, literature, music, architecture and even gastronomy.
Key figures of the movement include the Italians Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, Umberto Boccioni, Carlo Carrà, Gino Severini, Giacomo Balla, Antonio Sant’Elia, Tullio Crali and Luigi Russolo, and the Russians Natalia Goncharova, Velimir Khlebnikov, and Vladimir Mayakovsky. Important works include its seminal piece of the literature, Marinetti’s Manifesto of Futurism, as well as Boccioni’s sculpture, Unique Forms of Continuity in Space, and Balla’s painting, Abstract Speed + Sound (pictured). Futurism influenced art movements such as Art Deco, Constructivism, Surrealism, Dada[38], and to a greater degree, Rayonism[39] and Vorticism[40].
[41]
TYPES OF DESIGN
Part I
