Iconology of the Bridge -A Constructive Element of Urban Landscape-

2010 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20520141
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Study of the arts/History of the arts/Arts in general
• Research Institution: Doshisha University
• Principal Investigator: KIYOSE Misawo Doshisha University, 文学部, 准教授 (00367963)
• Project Period (FY): 2008 – 2010
• Keywords: 美術史 / 美学 / 建築史・意匠 / 都市計画・建築計画 / 環境調和型都市整備基盤

Research Abstract

A bridge cannot exist by itself like a building, but seen from the profile it acts as an Eye-Stop in the vista, and its view from the front will let the observer to see the view in perspective. A bridge joins two different places and acts as a significant factor that constructs a beautiful landscape. This can be verified by the actual famous bridges and from works of art depicting bridge as a motif.
Though, recently the Kyoto city's cityscape regulation seems to overlook the importance of bridges. By comparing and investigating with other districts, the result is that Kyoto should seek for a new color and style of bridges that adapts itself into the moderate views of nature and harmonizing the two shores without cutting off(interrupting) the vista in accordance with the Kyoto's aesthetic sense of disliking prominent self-assertion.