There is no separation between art and architecture. Except for movement through space . . . visual or physical.
Biltmore Gardens in springtime
Yesterday in my art workshop, David Dunlop’s lecture and demonstration was about portals. David is an amazing artist, scholar, purveyor of dreams. He inspired this blog.
Everyday, every time we move through a space, it is usually through a portal, a doorway, an opening, a defined path, all perhaps leading to the light. We are drawn to the light.
In Alberti’s S. Andrea edifice below, the entrance is a Romanesque portal with its typical rounded arch. All portals have a shape of some kind, relative to the era and country. The Romanesque period was from actually approximately 800 A.D. to 1100 A.D. The portal with its rounded arch was used throughout history, as you can see here. This one, in Italy, was created in the15th century.
S. Andrea in Mantua, Italy by Leon Battista Alberti 15th century. Portal arch is Romanesque
I think a portal could also be an obvious path leading somewhere. I couldn’t resist the picture of the Biltmore Gardens in springtime above. And the light . . . look at the light. The light pulls you into the garden.
Have you had any experience with portals? How many have you seen or walked through that changed you, your views, or your life?
Bertha, are you studying interior design?
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I love the concept of a portal. Stand on one side, and you’re one place. Cross the threshhold, and you’re somewhere completely different. What a way to spark the imagination! Thank you once again for the gorgeous photos and the insightful commentary, Gail. It’s truly inspirational.
Suze, thanks. Your words are inspiring. I love the way you express the two sides of a portal. It is mind probing and can be part of any walk of life. Even tennis . . . you walk on the court in second position and in winning the match, you walk off the court in first position. That is a major threshold.
I loved the picture of the Biltmore Garden–what a wonderful place it would be to write there.
Hi Marian, Thank you so much for your comment. My web designer still has not updated, so I have a few extra steps to get the comments. That garden is beautiful, the grounds are gorgeous. Worth the trip.
Thank you Marian. I still have extra steps to get any comments. Thanks for letting me know.
thanks Marian, it is still not working right.
Jillian, I went hunting in your 15th century house. the portal is beautiful, the grounds are beautiful. I tried signing up, don’t know if it took. I could not find where to comment.
Gail,
I think you’ve seen the photo of the portal which inspired my passions for writing, research, and England. It’s he front door of my childhood Victorian era home.
If you missed it, you can click on my name above and the link will take you to my website. Look through the Research posts for Once Upon a Time until you reach the first one. In fact all the photos and posts in that series highlight the world I entered.
-Jillian
Thanks Marian, for letting me know. it is still not working right.