Almost there...

So its yet another post in Just Bloggin about Art History.  We're getting near the end here folks.  I know its not something you really want to hear, but unfortunately deafness won't make it any less true.  This will be the second to last blog post of Just Bloggin about Art History.  At least you've got one more left to go? Silver lining?

For this weeks blog post, I decided to touch on a bit of architecture.  Pictured above is the Japanese Phoenix Hall, located in the city of Uji of the Kyoto Prefectrue.  Personally, I've always been a huge fan of Japanese architecture, but this piece seems to exemplify everything about it I love.  First of all, I like the way that their roofs have such an extreme curvature to them.  Also, there's such a curve at the corners that they are almost pointing up.  To me, this strengthens the name "Phoenix", because the sides of the roofs look so much like the wings of birds.  I'm kinda curious how they're able to get such smooth and graceful curls while still maintaining structural integrity.

Moving down the structure, I also like how the building seems to be broken down into two registers.  Sections of white wall, framed with red wood beams, separated with sections of roof or overhangs.  Each structure to the side of the Phoenix Hall is quite impressive too, but not overly so to detract or distract from the main feature.  The walkways connecting them to the Phoenix Hall kinda serve to bring you back to the Hall whenever your eye wanders too far, but also kinda reminds you that there are other things to look at too.

I like the overall colors of the whole scene, as well.  The slate colored roof tiles match the rocky gravel of the pond bed.  The natural red wood color of the beams and supports compliment nicely with the color of the surrounding greenery and the color of the standing pond.  While the neutral color of the white walls, foundation and stairs fits nicely with all the other colors while not standing out too harshly in contrast.