The sun never knew how great it was until it hit the side of a building.
Louis KahnRead
Greek architecture taught me that the column is where the light is not, and the space between is where the light is. It is a matter of no-light, light, no-light, light. A column and a column brings light between them. To make a column which grows out of the wall and which makes its own rhythm of no-light, light, no-light, light: that is the marvel of the artist.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of negative space in art and architecture, suggesting that the absence of elements can be as significant as their presence.
Louis Kahn's quote highlights the interplay between light and shadow in architecture, particularly how the columns create spaces of light by their very absence. The artist's talent lies in understanding how both the presence of the columns and the negative spaces around them contribute to a harmonious artistic composition, where the rhythm of light and shadow evokes deeper perception and beauty.
Themes
ArchitectureLightSpaceArtColumnsNegative SpaceRhythm
In practice
Example use cases
During a presentation on architectural design, one could quote Kahn to emphasize the importance of incorporating negative space.
More from Louis Kahn
All quotes →I sense a Threshold: Light to Silence, Silence to Light - an ambiance of inspiration, in which the desire to be, to express, crosses with the possible Light to Silence, Silence to Light crosses in the sanctuary of art.
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The room is the beginning of architecture.
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Architecture is the reaching out for the truth.
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The creation of art is not the fulfillment of a need but the creation of a need. The world never needed Beethoven's Fifth Symphony until he created it. Now we could not live without it.
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We are born of light. The seasons are felt through light. We only know the world as it is evoked by light.
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