Beauty Goes Beyond the Eye of the Beholder
I've found myself questioning the adage, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." If beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder, then why are we almost universally attracted to sunsets? Or the deep vista of the Grand Canyon, newborn babies and starry skies? Out of curiosity, I Googled "What are the most beautiful things in the world?" I found commonality: Cloudy skies, stars, love, laughter and mountains were on most people's lists.
There are universal qualities of beauty designed into the fabric of our world; qualities that inspire us and cause us to pause. Those qualities can exist within various architectural styles and tastes. But I believe if we look under the surface of what inspires us, we will find common qualities.
Below are eight projects that exhibit various but universal qualities of beauty.
Color and Reflection
"How beautiful the leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days." — John Burroughs
Color triggers something within us; our emotions respond to blazing sunsets.
Harmony and Serenity
"Art is a harmony parallel with nature." — Paul Cezanne
The minimalist beauty and extraordinary execution of this teahouse give it a harmonious connection to its immediate natural context.
Rhythm and Materials
"A scene has to have a rhythm of its own, a structure of its own." — Michelangelo Antonioni
Rhythm is the unseen force that holds art together. Here the architect beautifully orchestrated several materials into a lyrical composition.
Mystery and Contrast
"Mystery creates wonder, and wonder is the basis of man's desire to understand." — Neil Armstrong
The contrast of the lit wall's color and geometry with the dark setting draws in a childlike way.
Perspective and Transparency
"Distance not only gives nostalgia, but perspective, and maybe objectivity." — Robert Morgan
This meandering fence's transparency changes according to your location relative to the fence.
Scale and Juxtaposition
"And as I looked at the star, I realized what millions of other people have realized when looking at stars. We're tiny." — Danny Wallace
Guests to this garden find themselves among dauntingly large trees, to remind them just how tiny they are.
See more of this landscape
Simplicity and Whimsy
"Simplicity is the glory of expression." — Walt Whitman
The beauty of this swing is in its simple design. Leaning back and kicking up your feet reverts you to a state of childlike whimsy.
Wandering and Exploration
"Not all those who wander are lost." — J.R.R. Tolkien
Although I wouldn't mind wandering along this path until I was lost.
Perhaps the surface of beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but if we dig deeper, get below the surface, we discover that there are universal qualities of beauty.
More: Why Authenticity in Architecture Matters
What inspires you? Post images below and include a short note as to what quality of beauty you see.
