History of Design Questions

TEST 4, Essay

Instructions: There are only two questions here (although they each have two sets of images for you to write about). There are, however, a lot of things to talk about for these two traditions; so don’t just write about the most obvious ideas and information the images present. You should look at these two questions as your opportunity to talk about all of the key inform-ation and ideas we have discussed in class – all of it. If you’re not sure you know what all of it is, then go over the Key Notes outline, the list of “pop quiz” terms reviewed in class, and the reading assignments; and to be sure, ask me in class or ask your TA in section (remember this is due Thursday, not Tuesday).

So it’s not “What can I say about this image or work?”; rather, it is: “How can I find an illustration of EVERY KEY TRAIT OR IDEA somewhere in the works I am writing about, so I can show that I have learned and understand all of the material?”. You have a week.

1.a) Examine the images provided of the Great Mosque at Cordoba (and look over some more

images on line on your own). What general, and also specific, aspects of the design of this

building can you cite as typical of design from this particular cultural tradition? In other words,

which society produced it, how is it typical of that society’s design, and why? Be sure to

discuss how it is rooted in the earlier, tribal phase of this society, reflecting a way of life tied to

its unique environment; and then how it represents those typical traits of design as they were

adapted to new uses in the later phase of the society, after it adopted a new faith. Use this work

of design as an example, to illustrate this cultural tradition’s response to its original

environment, and it’s tendencies and interests seen not only in forms of design but in its

stories, and its beliefs. Be specific, with numerous specific examples of traits which tell us

particular things about this cultural tradition and how they are expressed in design.

b) Now talk in a parallel way about how the Borgund Stave Church (see images, seek out some

more) illustrates design tendencies that reflect conditions, a way of life, characteristic cultural

attitudes, interests and beliefs, both from tribal, pagan times, and later after conversion to the

new faith this building serves. For both buildings, start with the usual elements of morphology,

material, imagery, functions, etc., and talk about how they go back to their tribal phase and way

of life in some ways, but reflect an evolution in other ways. Explain what this work (and the

other) tells us on several different levels, in different kinds of ways about this tribal society, in

this specific environment, as it evolved into a true civilization – and the same for the mosque in

1.a), for that society and tradition. You may think of this as a direct comparison of the two

buildings, point by point, if that helps you be very clear in your answers, but you don’t need to.

2. Now look at the examples of illustrated and/or illuminated holy books from the two faiths (the

first two book images go together, same faith tradition, and the second two book images are

from the other cultural / faith tradition). Which pair of images (first two, or second two) are from

Islam and which are Christian? How can you tell, specifically? Connect specific traits and design

phenomena to the information and ideas we have discussed unique to each culture, especially

it’s faith and how it adapted design traits and ideas from earlier cultural tradition to its new needs

and purposes.