Characteristics of Garden Statuary in Archaic Greece
Characteristics of Garden Statuary in Archaic Greece Archaic Greeks were renowned for providing the first freestanding statuary; up until then, most carvings were formed out of walls and pillars as reliefs. Kouros figures, statues of adolescent, attractive male or female (kore) Greeks, made up the majority of the statues. The kouroi were seen by the Greeks to typify beauty and were sculpted with one foot leading and an uncompromising firmness to their forward-facing poses; the male statues were always strapping, sinewy, and undressing. Life-sized versions of the kouroi appeared beginning in 650 BC. During the Archaic period, a great time of change, the Greeks were developing new forms of government, expressions of art, and a deeper comprehension of people and cultures outside Greece. However, these clashes did little to hinder the progress of the Greek civilization.Modern Garden Decor: Fountains and their Roots
Modern Garden Decor: Fountains and their Roots A water fountain is an architectural piece that pours water into a basin or jets it high into the air in order to supply drinking water, as well as for decorative purposes.From the onset, outdoor fountains were simply there to serve as functional elements. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to provide them with drinking water as well as water where they could bathe or wash. Up to the late 19th century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and more elevated than the fountain so that gravity could make the water move downwards or jet high into the air. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to adorn living areas and celebrate the designer. The main components used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly depicting animals or heroes.
Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners included fountains to create mini depictions of the gardens of paradise. To demonstrate his dominance over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were extolled with baroque style fountains built to mark the arrival points of Roman aqueducts.
Urban fountains created at the end of the 19th century served only as decorative and celebratory ornaments since indoor plumbing provided the necessary drinking water. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity enabled fountains to bring recycled water into living spaces as well as create unique water effects.
Modern fountains are used to embellish public spaces, honor individuals or events, and enrich recreational and entertainment events.