Week 2: Analysis of Art; Architecture and Geometry
Credit: "Our Very Own Spaceship Earth" taken by Cassidy Dolan in EPCOT at 6:03 p.m. on January 2nd, 2025, on an iPhone 15 Pro.
I took this photo of Spaceship Earth at EPCOT during winter break this year, and I noticed several art elements that speak quite loudly in the architecture. The first element I'd like to point out is the colors and how as soon as you look at the photo, they almost jump out at your eyes and assault them with a dazzling gleam of vibrancy. This is due to lights being installed on every triangular point on the globe, enabling a strobe of light shows to play upon it during the evenings.
This leads me to the next element: this glorious globe's repetition, rhythm, and pattern. This globe is 18 stories tall and made up of 11,324 triangles! Together, these triangles make a beautiful pattern encased in a sphere that catches your eye when you walk into the park.
These triangles that make the globe also look to have quite a texture to them. The texture seems to have a spiky feel to it, but with how big the triangles really are, they also look like they could be smooth or glossy even in their feel.
Credit: Left—"A Different Point of View" and Right—"Palm Spring Dreams," taken by Cassidy Dolan in EPCOT at 9:23 a.m. on May 22nd, 2022 with an iPhone XR, and at 9:28 p.m. on February 16th, 2019 with an iPhone 6, respectively.
When I think of all three of these elements, I think of a smooth but sharp globe that I could hold in my hands, with a vibrant color that changes like a sunset. Almost like one of those spiky balls you would win at a carnival booth as a kid. The patterns of the triangles going up and down wherever you look at them have a calming effect on me. It makes me wonder, architecturally, how they achieved a globe out of triangles so well.
As for the placement and presentation of this iconic structure, it is centered near the front entrance of EPCOT and Future World (the attraction-centered area of EPCOT). This is so guests have the magical moment of awe and childlike wonderment as they enter the park, either for their 1st or 100th visit.
This architectural masterpiece has a geometric style to it that I would love to see more in modern types of art. Geometry that is not painted or abstract, but refined in nature, giving it a clean and glossy look. Not quite metallic and cold like a robot, but uniform and tidy. It is presented in a way that makes your entrance into the park grand like you are entering a bubble filled with possibilities for the future.
Below here are some resources for viewing the information I have gathered as well as photos of the construction of Spaceship Earth.
Hello, Cassidy! It’s so fun that you got to go to EPCOT over the break! I have never been to EPCOT and I have also never seen the Spaceship Earth. I have always loved how pinks, reds, oranges, & yellows compliment each other. The colors in your first image are definitely vibrant and captivating. I feel them jumping at me too! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete-Wanzetta Morning
DeleteYour focus on how the triangular panels repeat and establish rhythm in the design is something I truly value. The staggering total exceeds 11,000 units while your description of their effect stands out for its beauty. Describing the structure as a spiky carnival ball creates a playful and nostalgic connection that makes it feel more understandable and approachable.
ReplyDeleteYour examination of geometric elements in modern art presents intriguing insights. The concept of orderly geometry that maintains an inviting warmth instead of mechanical coldness demonstrates a brilliant point because architectural symmetry becomes uniquely captivating when precision combines with wonder.
I really appreciate that you added your own photos to your blog, gave it more of a personal touch verses I who looked up something I would like to see one day and only basing it off the internets research. Sounds like you had a really good time on your trip, I have only been once to the parks and was at a younger age that I feel like I did not appreciate it as you have described it, makes me want to go again to appreciate the arts there. The connection to art and elements of EPCOT are great and I enjoyed reading them, especially the globe and how large it is in size. Everything looks like it was included in your blog and appreciate the journey that you have inspired me on, maybe with a little magic there is more to what meets the eye.
ReplyDeleteHi Cassidy I really enjoyed your blog, your connection and description to the art are very beautifully written and easily understood. I really liked what you said about seeing more geometric style in modern art and completely agree! I wonder if this trend will continue in art and architecture, maybe even into fashion. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI have always thought of Epcot as a giant spiked golf ball! I love that you took these photos at different times of the day, and years. It really does look like "our very own spaceship on Earth" while it is perched on the "quadrupods", ready for takeoff. I'm hoping to be able to use some of my own artwork or one of my daughter's pieces in an upcoming blog. You did awesome with your analysis!
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