VICTORIAN ERA SPECTACULAR

SAVAGENESS OR RUDENESS

"ROUGHNESS OF THE WORK: THIS LOOK OF MOUNTAIN BROTHERHOOD BETWEEN THE CATHEDRAL AND THE ALP," CONFESSING "THE IMPERFECTION OF THE WORKMAN."

- Ruskin

The best example of the "roughness of work" would best be shown at right through the mechanical steel structure that hides beneath this beautiful Gothic structure. The outside of the building exhibits aspects of nature, beauty, and even parts of the disturbed imagination. There does not seem to be an indication of any imperfections but the interior is cased with a rough, colorless steel that is harsh to the eye. The artist of the Victorian period seemed to avoid all other aspects of conformity. They remained true to their time period for a "present" time design interlacing the work with their own distinct touches while still depending on the modern base to support their "Gothic" creation. In other words, artists worked to "solve the crucial problem of the relations among utility, technology, and beauty in two opposing ways" (Victorian Web; Landow, George P.). Mixed with the steel and brick, this government building has an added strength due to this construction. As a place of justice, this strength suits the image well.

SAVAGENESS or RUDENESS

LOVE OF CHANGE

LOVE OF NATURE

DISTURBED IMAGINATION

OBSTINACY or RIGIDITY

GENEROSITY

All quotes are taken from author John Ruskin's "The Stones of Venice." (1853)