Life is more important than architecture.
Oscar NiemeyerRead
My work is not about "form follows function," but "form follows beauty" or, even better, "form follows feminine."
Interpretation
Niemeyer emphasizes the importance of beauty and femininity in design over mere functionality.
This quote by Oscar Niemeyer suggests that the essence of his architectural work is rooted in aesthetics and emotional resonance rather than just practical utility. He advocates for a design philosophy where beauty and a feminine touch guide the creative process, allowing for a richer, more expressive interpretation of space and structure.
In practice
This quote can be used in an art class discussion about the philosophy of design.
Life is more important than architecture.
I deliberately disregarded the right angle and rationalist architecture designed with ruler and square to boldly enter the world of curves and straight lines offered by reinforced concrete... This deliberate protest arose from the environment in which I lived, with its white beaches, its huge mountains, its old baroque churches, and the beautiful suntanned women.
We need to feel that life is important; we need that fantasy so we can live a little better.
Here, then, is what I wanted to tell you of my architecture. I created it with courage and idealism, but also with an awareness of the fact that what is important is life, friends and attempting to make this unjust world a better place in which to live.
When you have a large space to conquer, the curve is the natural solution.
I was attracted by the curve β the liberated, sensual curve suggested by the possibilities of new technology yet so often recalled in venerable old baroque churches.
The beauty one can find in art is one of the pitifully few real and lasting products of human endeavor.
I try to improvise like Les Young, Louis Armstrong or someone else I admire. What comes out is what I feel.
But beauty must be broken daily to remain beautiful.
In the early days, we just wore black onstage. Very bold, my dear. Then we introduced white, for variety, and it simply grew and grew.
I think you just have to be yourself instead of catering your sound to a specific audience, make the music you want to make, and the audience will find you.
You don't have to make something in order to retain your identity as an artist or a writer or a creative person. A lot of people think they have to be producing in order to maintain that identity.
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