Architecture and Desire

I would say yes. The diversity in our creations is unique and goes beyond just need but the want of something more. The want of seeing beauty, creativity, and the thing that makes us human. If we only wished for practicality everything would be plain. Why was energy spent on color? On paint? On shapes? Why not just make chairs all one shape and buildings just as rectangles. For example: The image of the Kursi can be seen with detailed, beautiful engravings. Every line feels intenful and meaningful even if I do not understand the meaning. Even though it is built to just hold the Quran, effort was placed in the building of it. Just as easily it could have been kept as plain wooden planks. The success of all great monuments is that something about it has managed to catch our eye and inspire our works.

Architecture is of a spiritual viewpoint. All architecture is to build but not all showcases passion. If we only wanted functionalism then we would have one good blue print and make all of our buildings in that one way but we do not. The colors we use, the materials used, the styles are all forms of expression of the people. It’s the reason why pueblo homes, churches, etc. all have a unique look for themselves. Much of our soul goes in the works we create and this is the same for islamic art. Even if something was not built for religious reasons, the art itself still has soul to it. Someone was inspired by art they themselves viewed and became passionate enough to recreate. And before long, it became a style.