My Ceramic
Project is based on the fan light windows on the Georgian buildings in and
around Limerick City. The design and motifs of the fan light windows and also
the architecture such as the piers and columns based around the buildings,
interest me greatly so I began to take various images of doorways and windows
that struck out most to me. I then gathered these images as part of my
research, but first I looked at the history of the Georgian windows where and
when it began.
In the
mainstream of Georgian architecture is the combined architectural techniques by
both Palladian Architecture and Baroque architecture. Palladian architecture
was the beginning of the over exaggerated over decorated stylised architecture.
Palladian architecture is a European style of architecture derived from and
inspired by the designs of the Venetian architect Andrea Palladio (1508–1580).
Palladio's work was strongly based on the symmetry, perspective and values of
the formal classical temple architecture of the Ancient Greeks and Romans. From
the 17th century Palladio's interpretation of this classical architecture was
adapted as the style known as Palladianism. It continued to develop until the
end of the 18th century. This style architecture was then researched and
developed by architects such as Sir John Vanbrugh, James Gibbs, and Thomas
Archer, who basically followed the Palladian and Baroque style. The Baroque
style which followed the Palladian style originated around 1600. Its
architecture was based around the Catholic Church in response to the
reformation of the protestant religion.
Fanlights
(the name describes its fan-shaped structure) originated out of the need to
illuminate an otherwise dark hallway, while incorporating both styles of
Palladian and Baroque Architecture its design exaggerated the overall
architectural scheme of the entrance. In those days natural light, or the use of
candles or oil lamps were the only means of lighting the darker parts of
houses, such as the hallways. What is quite remarkable about these
semi-circular or elliptical windows is that, like snowflakes. The door case and
the fanlight formed the focal point and showpiece of the house frontage.
I have used
my research to create many drawings and sketches of different techniques used
in the Fan light features, by creating exaggerated drawings using different materials.
And then by combining and separating different images to create now features, I
then also went on to use these drawing into creating 2D and 3D paper pieces to
see the results. By overlapping these
paper cut outs I then went on to take many photographs of the shadows created
by these forms. Because the sole reason for the fan lights was for
Illuminating, I placed the 3d paper objects over lights to see the forms
shadows and shapes created by the light, and recorded these results. I intend
to further this research in the idea of using light as my main source for
further development of my project and to develop these structures around the
idea of light illumination.
