Of Art and Architecture
Research Paper
Contrasting Beauty Boarding and Edge Gallery as Disparate Exhibition Space
Project Overview:
Timeline: October 2019-December 2019
Academic Studio: 4th Year Independent Study Course
Course Tutor: Ms. Fariha Yasmin Faruque
Type of Work: Research Paper
Location: Beauty Boarding and Edge Gallery
*This page only contains excerpts from the paper.
Introduction:
Architecture often involves the manipulation of spaces to provide people with an experiential quality that allows them to take in the features of the spaces better. When speaking about spaces made purely for public gatherings, where the interplay between the observers and the art is the main focus, what exactly entails as suitable and appropriate to the larger public is often left open to interpretation. The comparison presented for this argument is how these spaces, in this case, exhibition spaces, can be of varying nature between two establishments, Beauty Boarding in Old Dhaka and Edge Gallery in Gulshan. Spaces such as these tread into a territory beyond the physical design of spaces, as architects must also deal with the intangible outcomes of projects, and think about the future experience of people when additional emotion-evoking art is presented in front of them.[1] Hence, these two particular establishments are chosen in order to provide a strong contrasting image based on how varying attributes influence a space intended for similar usage, yet they still work great in their own way, regardless of how they orchestrate the interplay between space and art.
The opinions that people have when they are in such spaces is quite instinctive, and how much they are actually fond of the environment is dependent on their personal ideals regardless of how well the space actually works functionally.
[1]Eugenio Morello and Barbara E. A. Piga, ‘Experiential simulation in architecture and urban space’, International journal of Sensory Environment, Architecture and Urban Space, https://journals.openedition.org/ambiances/671 (accessed Nov 17, 2019).
Absract
Architecture often requires the manipulation of spaces in order to enhance the spatial quality of a structure, which in turn allows the visitors of the establishment to have better experiences. When talking about spaces made purely for public gatherings, and the discussion of arts, what exactly is considered to be preferable and appropriate by the larger public is often left open for discussion. Hence, this paper involves a comparative study between two structures on the basis of the qualitative aspects of exhibitions spaces and how these varying attributes influence the spatial organization. The two pieces of architecture being compared include the Edge Gallery in Gulshan, which is a fully operational gallery space and on the other hand, the Beauty Boarding in Old Dhaka, an intellectual hub that houses people along with being and eatery. Although they are completely distinctive in terms of functionality, they are both acting successfully as an exhibition space in their own regard, thereby providing a strong contrasting image as to how exhibition spaces may vary.
Furthermore, the study also deals with how these disparities affect the mindsets of those who enter and experience each establishment from an argumentative viewpoint, primarily through personal interviews with visitors and then makes inferences based on how it may affect the art they are viewing. Whilst Beauty Boarding gives off the impression that it is more inviting and attempts to blur the boundaries between where exactly the interaction begins, on the other hand, the Edge Gallery appears to make the confines much more definitive, thereby placing markers as to where the interplay begins. Such parameters will allow further detailed explanations to be established that will enable architects to understand the varying depths of designing. Nonetheless, this paper is more attuned to the qualitative aspects, hence, some of the reasonings and explanations are more subjective and everyone’s opinions are not actually determined in detail. All in all, both the structures appear to work great in their own dimensions, and have their own appeal to the public, thus providing diverse perceptions which helps understand the contrasting complexity of each space.
Contrasting the spatial layouts and the interactivity
The various contrasts being made are based on the parameters set for both Beauty Boarding and Edge Gallery in order to help determine how the architecture greatly affects the people experiencing the spaces. The first variable deals with the spatial approach and layout, with reference to the location and point of entry.
A person’s mindset on the observation of art is affected even before they actually even look at the art, because of how the surroundings have affected them prior to it, in other words, people expect certain forms of interactions from an exhibition space even before viewing the art. Edge Gallery places some confines from where exactly people are allowed to begin taking in the art more definitive by placing indirect markers as to where the interplay begins. Beauty Boarding, on the other hand, aims to blur the boundaries between where exactly the interaction begins. Such instances are sometimes beyond the scope of the architect’s design because the location is a great factor in determining these technicalities.
Contextual analysis of exhibition spaces
When visitors enter an exhibition, they must simultaneously take in and comprehend the space they are inhabiting, alongside the stories being exhibited in front of them. [1] For this reason, one of the major aspects that exhibition spaces must focus on is creating human comfort zones, done by aesthetic approaches and systematic ways of controlling the curation. [2] This allows a proper communication to be established between the art and viewer, thereby allowing the story to be told and understood without major disturbances. Furthermore, the means of interactivity are not only limited to a visual experience, but can also be enriched using various other markers which help the extent of interactivity to tell a wider story – one where other sensory aspects are explored.[3] The senses of touch, smell and sound are aspects that when added alongside the visual observations made by people, enhances the ability to comprehend the story in various volumes. As technology advances, these are made possible even more than before, and exhibition spaces appear to undergo major shifts from static to fluid and flexible ones, where it is easier to explore more possibilities of exhibiting art rather than having repetitive methods. [4]
Influences of building atmosphere and setting
When comparing both the structures, the most evident reason as to why they have such varying methods of dealing with space is because their date of establishment are quite far apart from one another. On one hand Edge Gallery resides in one of the most upscale buildings in Dhaka, Bay’s Edgewater, which hosts some foreign embassies as well, thereby always carrying an immaculate aura. Hence, the structure as a whole is always quite well maintained, and organized in such technical aspects, adding this to the fact that the building was completed in 2013, and consists of various high-technological facilities only adds to its vision – to appear pristine.
In some aspects, Beauty Boarding, regardless of the time period, appears to be thriving, alongside Edge Gallery. Although such influences do appear to affect how people take in a space, it is not always the biggest factor. If such a space is flourishing, the spatial quality is evidently sufficient for it to succeed alongside its recent, somewhat more advantageous competitor. Nonetheless, Edge Gallery also appears to handle its newfound status quite well and attracts newer crowds although it does not have a predetermined reputation of being deemed as a good exhibition space. All in all, the characteristics of each structure appears to be in sync with its way of exhibition and curation.
[1]Regan Forrest, ‘Design Factors in the Museum Visitor Experience’, (Queensland : The University of Queensland, PhD thesis, 2014) pp 28–32.
[2]Mohamad Hanif Abdul Wahab and Alia Fatin Ahmad Zuhardi ‘Human Visual Quality: Art Gallery Exhibition’, Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, v.101 (2013) pp 476–487.
[3] Elyna Amir Sharji, Forest Yan and Peter Woods, ‘Experiencing Interactive Exhibition Spaces’, International Conference on Informatics and Creative Multimedia, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261226075_Experiencing_Interactive_Exhibition_Spaces (accessed Nov 17, 2019).
[4]Elyna Amir Sharji, Forest Yan and Peter Woods, ‘Experiencing Interactive Exhibition Spaces’, International Conference on Informatics and Creative Multimedia, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261226075_Experiencing_Interactive_Exhibition_Spaces (accessed Nov 17, 2019).
Distinct ways of treating the landscape
Both Edge Gallery and Beauty Boarding have parallel inferences on how they have, to some extent, prioritized the landscape, yet their strategies on how it links the art to the outdoor spaces vary. Edge Gallery creates a distinctive separation when considering the manner in which they have treated the threshold between the gallery and the landscape outside. The interaction between the landscape and gallery is separated by glass doors, which allows the people within a certain visual range to take in the vista outside even when viewing art. Even though the landscape is not visible from all parts of the gallery, a large portion of the gallery remains in direct view of the green space outside, and it appears to be a significant feature that ties the exhibition space together as a whole. The landscape itself contains a canopy, a small fountain, and benches, overlooking the Gulshan lake, while a few sculptures along the paved areas enables visitors to have a rather remarkable encounter with art even outside.
Beauty boarding on the other hand, has embraced the courtyard, which is adorned with multiple trees around which it is built. Beauty boarding interludes itself with nature, as it creates links between humans and nature by using multiple sensory connections. This playful notion of art and nature going hand in hand creates an experience that allows people to remember the space as a synergy of the two, rather than as separate entities.
Each establishment appears to have a strong connection between the landscape and the exhibition area in their own regard, thereby demonstrating the notion that such distinctive styles have an importance when considering the correlation between art and architecture. Comparing both the structures on this basis allows a direct inference to be made how overtime, people have changed the way of dealing with the design aspects of landscaping with respect to the exhibition space. This in turn plays a role as to how people are being influenced by the landscape as well and how the curation and interactions amongst people are also being affected in varying situations because of the placement and treatment of the landscape.
Tending to details : The bridge that helps merge art and architecture
When speaking about contrasting the technical aspects of the organization of each structure in terms of art, an obvious disparity is evident. Edge Gallery is much more concerned about lighting and curation, often using various spotlighting during the day. This a trait that is evident in almost all recent exhibition spaces, because such structures are attuned to a more configurative arrangement, dealing with various aspects of the nature of art beyond the placement. Furthermore, the curation at the Edge Gallery is carefully articulated using partition walls, whilst various sculptures are used to enforce the loop, and in some instances, steps are lined up to create dramatic settings for certain art.
On the other hand, Beauty Boarding, which originally is not an exhibition space, lines art up along the corridors on the ground floor or the rooms on the first floor, where they are exposed to various actions of nature, whilst the art hangs freely during the day without any strict regulations of lighting. Long periods of exhibitions of artworks that tend to react to humidity, temperature or sunlight thus may not be possible in such a place.
Conclusion
All in all, how people view and appreciate art is subjective, while some may agree with some of the traits of Edge Gallery or Beauty Boarding, others may disagree with it. They both appear to work great in how they attract their target audiences, and still continue to function as great experiential spaces, just in varying regards. Although, Beauty Boarding appears to be holding on to the traditional ways in which people once used to perceive art, this is only possible because the surroundings and the architectural style go together with the demands of people who want this interaction to remain casual.
In retrospect, Edge Gallery has been designed delicately and formally for art lovers to reflect upon their favorite pieces of art where ideal lighting, temperature, and perspectives are taken into account, but also provides the essential atmosphere where artworks will not be damaged. Beauty Boarding also appeals to art lovers, for blurring the boundaries between the indoors and outdoors, art and architecture, where the mind can roam around amongst the casually placed artwork and the spaces that contain them. Contextually, from a Bangladeshi perspective, where aspects of the social culture lie deep within the bounds of nature and the inherent beauty of architectural elements like courtyards, Beauty Boarding undeniably tips the scales in its favor when considering what the people will be instinctively drawn to in such regards.