In a message dated 10/4/2008 11:52:34 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Frances to Luis... Thanks for that careful insight. It is my further guess in light of your note that architecture is reserved for the making of adequate or appropriate buildings that are made by humans only, and then as habitats for living in. The nonhabitats of human builders and the habitats of nonhuman builders would seemingly be excluded as architecture. The issue of whether architecture is also some kind of art would be another point to ponder. My tentative stance is to resist the human limitation for architecture, but then it does make some sense. If we were debating say graphic pictures or plastic sculptures, rather than say tectonic architectures, then the human limitation would be accepted; as likely would their status as some kind of visual art. Frances just like many things the definition of art, architecture, language, etc. is "human-centric". Our western culture attempts to isolate homo sapiens (modern humans) as having unique abilities that are in no way shared with our fellow family of organisms/animals/plants. We now know that some apes use tools, and even modify them to better serve their purpose. They also learn and pass on to future generations useful learned techniques. They do communicate to each other as social animals. Are you familiar with the nesting habits of Bowerbird? I am convinced that they display aesthetic choice. _http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v297/n5862/abs/297099a0.html_ (http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v297/n5862/abs/297099a0.html) The cognitive traits/abilities we now have as humans have evolved, and if we search, in time we will understand better the origin of aesthetics. This will shed light on what we are today. The elusive definition of "What is art" may come closer to a good resolution. TO THE LIST: Is the aesthetics limited to humans? Luis Fontanills Architect **************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out! (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000001)
