The popular mythology of creative genius depends on beloved stereotypes of the artist in youth and old age: the misunderstood upstart who forces us to see the world afresh; and the revered sage who shows us depths of insight attainable only through a lifetime of hard-won experience. Martin Filler afreshageartist share on social
Avant-garde architects have never been able to depend on the support of the establishment, since the customary patrons of this most conservative and slowly moving art form have historically been resistant to innovation and experiment. Martin Filler architectartavant share on social
As with many other folk beliefs, 'feng-shui' undoubtedly incorporates some scientifically correct observation or received wisdom based on direct experience of natural phenomena; but it needs to be dealt with skeptically as a credible system of thought. Some feng-shui prescriptions can certainly lead to desirable results. Martin Filler basebeliefcorrect share on social
Few developments central to the history of art have been so misrepresented or misunderstood as the brief, brave, glorious, doomed life of the Bauhaus - the epochally influential German art, architecture, crafts, and design school that was founded in Goethe's sleepy hometown of Weimar in 1919. Martin Filler architectureartbauhau share on social
The danger for any artist whose work is both recognizable and critically acclaimed is complacent repetition - the temptation to churn out easily identifiable, eagerly welcomed, and readily salable designs. Martin Filler acclaimartistchurn share on social
Architecture was the last of the major professions to devise a formal 'cursus honorum' before its practice could be undertaken. Martin Filler architecturecursusdevise Change image and share on social
High among the unpredictable variables that endanger the survival of worthy buildings are the vagaries of taste. Martin Filler buildingendangerhigh Change image and share on social
The most basic task of any museum must be the protection of works of cultural significance entrusted to its care for the edification and pleasure of future generations. Martin Filler basiccarecultural Change image and share on social
The form a city assumes as it evolves over time owes more to large-scale works of civil engineering - what we now call infrastructure - than almost any other factor save topography. Martin Filler assumecallcity Change image and share on social
One of the Age of Enlightenment's most hypnotic images is Ledoux's rendering of his neoclassical theater of 1775 - 1784 in Besancon, surreally reflected in the colossal eye of an unidentified cosmic being. Martin Filler agebesanconcolossal share on social