BAB Conference-Ana Rajkovic, Minimalism from theory to practice

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MINIMALISM FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE Ana Rajković, M.Arch.

Abstract: For centuries, a large number of different styles has been present in architecture. That led to a usage of numerous details (in the form of moldings on the facade, the color of interior, floral and abstract motifs in the exterior and interior). After some time it came to a certain visual saturation. At the same moment, this phenomenon is not only present in the construction industry, but also in all other spheres of human activities. In most cases, usually artists were the first to recognize this phenomenon and they are generally the innovators in the crossroads of styles. In order to understand the origins of minimalism, ethics is essential. And ethics was particularly discussed in Cynic ethicalphilosophical direction. This direction implied way of life with minimal requirements.

They were openly opposed to the customs and customary norms of society. It can be stated that, at that time, cynics were innovators in the turning point of thinking and behavior. Minimalist breakthrough may be described in a similar manner. Minimalism somewhat also occurred after crossing the limit of good taste, that is, after the extensive usage of decoration in everything made by humans. This is especially true for western world countries. After using too many details and styles in exterior and interior for so many centuries, Europe has become oversaturated. New movement in art occurred after Europe met with art works of Japanese culture. Thus, ethics as a representative of the Western way of thinking and Zen philosophy, as a style of life represented in the eastern countries become the theoretical basis of minimalism. Since minimalism partly originated from over decorated style, it is logical to think that every type of minimalism has its roots in the styles that preceded it. This is sometimes visible only through hardly noticeable details.

Key words: Minimalism, ethics, cynic, way of life, theory, practice, Zen philosophy

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1. INTRODUCTION The extent to which a certain style can be used is easy to be displayed via the simplest example. Such as, when a rod is being bent, it can reach a certain deformation, but when crossed the elastic limit, the rod breaks and divides into two or three pieces. Then each piece continues its path.

Minimalist breakthrough can be described in a similar manner. It occurred after the boundary of good taste had been crossed.

Some countries have developed minimalist theory to cultural customs, while the others have drifted apart.

For example, minimalism was practically a way of life in the Japanese culture. When western culture came across it, it has become a movement with a strong impact on the architectural work. After using too many details and styles in exterior and interior for so many centuries, Europe has become oversaturated.

With so many individual cases which are the embodiment of a way of thinking on what minimalism offers, it was only a matter of time before it would become a major route in all spheres of a human creativity.

On creation of minimalism as a special artistic direction, philosophy has had a great influence. Specifically, ethics as a representative of Western culture, and Zen philosophy, which originated from Japan.

Common facts which extend through ethics, Zen philosophy and minimalism are: -

defeating every desire for material wealth,

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self-control and taking down needs to a minimum,

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the pursuit of knowledge and emphasis on knowledge as the greatest of human virtues and values,

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desire to spread the knowledge in order to create a pyramid of human development,

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aspiring to spiritual upgrade by overcoming lust.

All instructions that came from these directions have one similar message. In order to achieve absolute inner piece, or balance named yin-yang in Zen culture, you need to accept that minimizing desires require constant struggle. There is not a quick solution. It is a path whose goal is to make you a balanced person with solid, moral values.

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2. ORIGINS OF MINIMALISM IN THEORY There is an overall connection through general "knowledge" and a generalized thought 1.

That fact can be traced back to ancient times, when such science was called by one name - philosophy.

The philosophy has enabled the development of several directions. This includes the philosophy of practical science and philosophy of theory.

Theoretical philosophy has developed many other directions, such as metaphysics, logic, aesthetics, ethics, etc.

For further understanding of the origins of minimalism, focus will be on one direction that came from ethics - on cynic ethical-philosophical direction.

1.1. Influence of ethics in minimalism Founders of ethics were Socrates and Aristotle.

Socrates thought that the knowledge should be cultivated as well as personal ethics through virtues, and that material wealth is not a necessity. He said that "human life has meaning only if it is possible to exercise spiritual and moral values."2 His belief is depicted by example, defeating every desire for material wealth. He put mental work over material desires. He managed to live a quality life filled with spiritual pleasures.

Aristotle considered ethics as part of human sciences, whose aim is to bring good luck through intellectual human activity. He knew that all men strive for enjoyment and happiness, and that this form of happiness is not the same for every individual. He was an ethical realist in practice. He said that only the ingenious, sensible and educated man can find the right balance in the concept of nothing in excess. This thought became the foundation of ethics.

Cynic ethical-philosophical direction implied way of life with minimal requirements. It can be considered that, at that time, cynics were innovators in the turning point of thinking and behavior.

1 visit following

web site for illustrated explanation: http://matt.might.net/articles/phdschool-in-pictures/ 2 http://www.slideshare.net/mdraginaj/istorija-etike

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They considered that basic human virtues are self-control and taking down needs to a minimum. They suggested liberation from the material in order to achieve complete freedom, and to gain sense of liberation and happiness.

Important representative of Cynic ethical-philosophical teachings was Diogenes who gained certain knowledge through practice, and later on through his writings, public speaking and conversation with ordinary passersby. He decided to live completely freed from conventionality related to religion, dressing, feeding, decency, behavior, housekeeping, etc. He thought that needs should be kept at a minimum, and that a man should opt for a modest, natural and simple life, in order to be balanced with himself.

Upon their return from a big city, people asked Diogenes what he saw there. He replied: "Now I have seen all the things I don’t need".3 Philosophers have defined ethics as standards or rules that define the way of living and making decisions. That is a global view and definition. Individualy, every person has diferent understanding of ethics. It is primarly deteremined with education and personal belief. Some people think of minimalism as a way of getting out of debt (or not getting into it), a way of traveling lightly, moving house easily, being more energy efficient, having more space, accomplishing more in personal develeopment or simply getting rid of stuff, which is not such a bad thing since it means that there is less clutter and more space.

Same definition is applicable on Japanese philosophy, also known as Zen philosophy.

1.2. Zen philosophy and minimalism Zen philosophy was determined by Buddist principles. Those principles implied that in order to live a carefree and quality life, one needs to learn how to let go of the attachment. In ethics, that principle is decribed as letting go of everything material. The reason why this was addopted as a principle in Zen is that clinging onto objects only causes suffering, because nothing will last forever.

Another principle that can be found both in ethics and in Zen philosophy, is that one should live an extremely minimalist lifestyle. Only in that way one can achieve increasing happiness.

3 http://diogen-iz-sinope.weebly.com/

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For true understanding of Zen philosophy it is important not to hold up on negative energy, and to think positive, since that brings calmness into our lives. Zen philosophy teaches that empathy is the key to life freed from caring more about things, than to others emotions. It is important to develop relationship with others through kindness and compassion, and not by using only money to help others. Giving material things seems as a quick and easy solution for instant fixing of a problem. Good intentions and kind words stay for much longer period of time in one’s memory, then some material object that caused happines for a relatively short period of time. Non-material acts can again produce the same personal feeling only by remembering certain situation, while material goods get quickly consumed and forgotten after a while.

This way of thinking was actually firstly explained by cynics who aspired to moral freedom, freedom from desires, especially the desires related to the earthly material goods. But Zen philosophy has developed into something more than this basic definition. It has showed us that everybody can learn how to become well balanced individual and that was achieved by setting some basic rules called “Four noble Truths” and the “Eightfold path”.

“Four noble Truths” were defined by Buddha. He said that it is important to remember that life is suffering, caused by desire. That is why we need to learn how to stop the desires. And we can succeed in this goal by following the “Eightfold path”.

“The first noble Truth” is called “Life is suffering” and it defines factors that cause discontent with our lives. It explains the reasons of our dissatisfaction, why we want the things we can’t have and why do we sometimes feel irritated by others. Even though the idea behind “The first noble truth” is depressing for many people, it is necessary to understand that life contains many things. Suffering is just one part of it.

“The second noble Truth” tells about the reason we are suffering. That is always because of some form of desire. And if we manage to control our desires, we can control the suffering. About that control it is more said in “The third noble Truth”. Basically, it is necessary to learn how to let go of the aches in our hearts, which we feel after desiring something. Answer is in learning how to live with what life brings.

“The fourth noble Truth” tells about giving up the desires by following “Eightfold path”, which mostly by practicing meditation.

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3. MINIMALISM IN PRACTICE 1.3. Origins of minimalism in architecture As in other art movements, the architectural industry was greatly influenced by collision of Western and Japanese culture. Minimalism was a way of life in the Japanese culture, and when western culture came across it, it has become a movement with a strong impact on the architectural work. Europe has become oversaturated after using too many details and styles in exterior and interior, so the Japanese influence was quickly accepted as a long-awaited refreshment.

Primary thought is that minimalism shows how to reduce certain style to its basic elements.

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”-said Leonardo da Vinci.

Movement De Stijl was essential for applying this way of thinking to architecture and design. De Stijl showed, in the best possible way, how to use elements that are epitome of minimalism. It introduced the world to creating space using only lines and planes, but by combining them in a way to create distinctive style in minimalism. Extreme simplicity was the key for creating buildings which would have multiple visual and functional purposes.

By creating space with multiple possibilities, such as designing a floor to also serve as the radiator, buildings gained hidden value that was also aesthetically acceptable. The structure was acknowledged and became an important part of visual style. It was often accentuated with intelligent use of light. Technology and engineering merged and created beautiful space which is always fresh and easy on the eye.

In minimalism, the architectural designers pay special attention to the connection between perfect planes, elegant lighting, and careful consideration of the void spaces left by the removal of three-dimensional shapes from an architectural design.

As in ethics and Zen philosophy there is a tendency towards reducing the needs to a minimum in order to upgrade spiritual values. In minimalism it is also aspiration in using the basic shapes that will present space in the best way, and allow enjoyment in its basic values.

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1.4. Minimalism in architecture of the Netherlands Dutch architecture from the first half of 20th century was crucial for development of modern architecture. Several groups of architects were considered to be innovators in this time period. The most interesting one, for understanding minimalism in Netherlands, came out of the De Stijl movement. This movement was active during 1917-1932 year. It was a rationalist response to World War I destruction and the loss of individualism in Netherlands. It advocated the use of limited color palette (red, blue, yellow, white and grey). This is best seen in the project of the house built in 1924 in town called Utrecht in Netherlands. The author was architect Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, and he built it for Mrs. Truus Schröder-Schräder (Photo 1.).

This project shows the basic principles contained in the ethics and minimalism, which is that application of universal shapes. It enables creating a space that is easily adaptable to our desires and needs, with a minimum occupancy of space.

Photo 1. Rietveld Schröder House, designed in 1924, by Gerrit Rietveld House was recognized as "an icon of the Modern Movement in architecture" and "the manifesto of the De Stijl."4 Built at the end of traditional rowhouses, the white concrete and glass structure adheres to minimalism and De Stijl principles outside and inside.

The house has two floors. In its centre there is a spiral staircase. The main structure is made of reinforced concrete slabs and steel profiles. The house is painted in basic colors determined by De Stijl movement: red, blue, yellow, white and grey. Inside of the house 4 http://www.architectenweb.nl/aweb/archipedia/archipedia.asp?id=3470

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is also very unique, since the rooms are not accessible trough corridors, like it would be expected to see.

Arrangement of the rooms is not made by hierarchy. The upper floor is one open space around the staircase, and this space can be divided into three bedrooms and a sitting room simply by sliding panels (Photo 2.). The ground floor is influenced by Dutch regulations, so there are five rooms which are grouped around a small hall.

Photo 2. Upper floor of the Rietveld Schröder House Influence of minimalism in Netherlands, brought the freedom of using clear lines. It gave them a dose of seriousness, but still maintaining national mark in form of using bold colors.

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4. CONCLUSIONS Minimalism can be defined as a concept which, going exactly by the meaning of the word reffers to the bare minimum in design. There are lot of different oppinions on what minimalism is, and it all depends on how far one wants to take this concept.

In architecture minimalism requires a lot of effort, knowledge of structures and mechanics to create a clean and mess free design.

Older buildings which have fuller designs, intricate, detailed and heavy facades for sure required a lot of knowledge in designing and constructing, but they are hiding the core of the buildings. For that time period, it was expected to embelish facades and to create objects with as many details as possible. Those details on the exterior and interior were suposed to show the power and richness of the country they were built in.

After long years of investing in decorations, country economics could not bare that rythm. In a way, minimalism is the answer to that problem, but far from the fact that cheap materials are used. On contrary, to make a beautiful building in minimalist manner, it is necessary to use quality materials.

Buildings designed in minimalism resemble scupltures, mostly defined by smart use of light, materials and color. These buildings ask an observer to analize every corner of it.

They are almost hypnotizing. Our mind is mesmerised by the beauty of simplicity, and how every line, plane and color are perfectly coordinated and make sense.

Ethicism, Cinycs, Zen, and afterall minimalism have taught us to take on a selfless and more compassionate attitude when it comes to material things. They all have shown us that it is better to use resources on personal spiritual development, rather than having as many material things in possesion as possible. Upgrading ourselves can bring genuine and longer lasting happines.

In minimalism, each line, carve or plane has meaning and purpopse. Nothing is excessive. Having only as much as you can bare also gives us sense of freedom. It is almost as we are freed from taking care of material things, and therefore have more time for caring about relationships with others and our own well being. Minimalist way of life does not mean you can live without material objects. It only shows how you do not need much to be truly happy.

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5. REFERENCES Literature: Vasilski D. (2010): Infulence of different motivation on origin and development of minimalism in the architecture, Nasleđe, Kragujevac, vol. 7, br. 16, page 227251 Vasilski D. (2010): Japanska kultura kao paradigma u formiranju minimalizma u arhitekturi (Japanese Culture as а Paradigm in the Formation of Minimalism in Architecture), Arhitektura i urbanizam, br 30/2011, page 16-33. ISSN 0354-6055 COBISS.SR-ID 8014860 Marković M. (1948): Istorija filozofije: Tom I, Filozofija antičkog i feudalnog

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društva (History of Philosophy: Volume I, The Philosophy of the ancient and feudal society), Kultura, Beograd Internet source: -

http://www.architectenweb.nl/aweb/archipedia/archipedia.asp?id=3470

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http://architecturelinked.com/group/minimalistarchitecture

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http://diogen-iz-sinope.weebly.com/

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http://www.minimalstudent.com/zen-and-the-art-of-minimalism-part-1-zenphilosophy/

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http://www.slideshare.net/mdraginaj/istorija-etike

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https://www.quora.com/Architecture/What-is-minimalism-in-architecture

Photos: -

http://www.archdaily.com/99698/ad-classics-rietveld-schroder-house-gerritrietveld/5037f2fc28ba0d599b000615-ad-classics-rietveld-schroder-house-gerritrietveld-photo (Photo 1.)

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http://www.archdaily.com/99698/ad-classics-rietveld-schroder-house-gerritrietveld/5037f33528ba0d599b000625-ad-classics-rietveld-schroder-house-gerritrietveld-photo (Photo 2.)