Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Architecure

As previously mentioned (link) my Art history class is providing me with a plethora of definitions. Oddly enough for the first section, Indian Art, most of the definitions are in regards to architecture. Not only are these words necessary for my class, most of them would come in handy when describing actual factual buildings. Personally I think anyone who designs a building purely to be remembered is a sycophant. For example instead of saying "On top of the pillars there was a wonderfully sculpted phoenix," one could say "The pillar's capitol was a wonderfully sculpted phoenix." And if the receiving party doesn't understand you then you get to feel smart in explaining it. And what is a large vocabulary for if not to feel more intelligent?



Oh right, proper communication and the ability to clearly get ones point across.



Most of the words deal with arches and fences. A roundel, for instance, can be defined as "a decorative plate, panel, tablet, or the like, round in form". we learned about ones using scenes from the Buddha's life. Primarily for proslytization. Some depicted scenes included the buddha taming a mad elephant and the dream of Queen Maya. We saw roundels on fences of Buddhist Stuppa's (that's a definition for another day). We also talked about the columns, and the lintels which is "a horizontal architectural member supporting the weight above an opening, as a window or a door". Basically the horizontal bit above columns. Both the roundels and lintels were quite the spectacles.
What I found most interesting about this section was that most of this stuff was made out of red sandstone. Red sandstone is much redder than I thought, perhaps not vermilion but very close. What I have deduced about both the Buddhist and Hindu beliefs is that they are anything but anthropocentric. However Hinduism seems to be less autonomous for the lower classes. I would love to explain my professor, however to do so would be do be detracting. I would have to describe her as jejun and not very austere. And then i would have to abjure my statements.
Random thought: Do you ever wonder if there is large amount of comstockery going on in the universities?

challenge: (N)(V)
1. a call or summons to engage in any contest, as of skill, strength, etc.
2. something that by its nature or character serves as a call to battle, contest, special effort, etc.: Space exploration offers a challenge to humankind.
3. difficulty in a job or undertaking that is stimulating to one engaged in it.
–verb (used with object)
4. to summon to a contest of skill, strength, etc.
5. to take exception to; call in question: to challenge the wisdom of a procedure.
6. Archaic. to lay claim to.
7. to make or issue a challenge.

(I cut this down from 23 for you)

Here's your challenge: How many words that I have previously defined did I use in this rant?

Well, have fun I am off to play with something effulgent!

3 comments:

  1. my guess is 9! and whooah my power just went off.


    and so did my internet! Noooooz! i guess this means i do my latin now :P

    powers back and i am posting this comment! :)

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  2. haha and i dunno if i said this when u did the word effulgant (if my memory serves and u did) that word always reminds me of spikes bad poetry "beauty effulgant" hehehe

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  3. you should actually count them and make it a CHALLENGE :P

    sill Ami . . .

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