Comparison and Contrast

Originals and Revivals. I would like to explore the formation of these concepts. According to dictionary.com, revival is “a restoration to use, acceptance, activity, or vigor after a period of obscurity or quiescence”.  Original is “not derived from something else; fresh and unusual”. We see restoration of original ideas in design all the time. Gothic Revival, Greek Revival, and Egyptian Revival just to name a few. In contrast, originals and revival differ in their definition – one is not derived from anything else and the other is a restoration of an idea or style that came before. The similarity is the characteristic of the design, both the original and the revival occupy characteristics of a particular design. The only difference is that the revival occupies a twist in modernity. An example is Frank Lloyd Wright, a well-known American architect, interior architect, and author. His uses of Mayan motifs in his architectural designs were a revival, but also a twist in modernity. For example, Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Hollyhock House” on Olive Hill in Los Angeles, California has used Mayan Revival. Where does it stay modern? The uses of materials in building the house are different from the original Mayan architecture. Considering the time difference we had materials available in 1922 that were not available in the Pre-Classic period. Wright’s style of introverted buildings and use of small windows give it features unique to his style. This is the idea of revival, features borrowed from an original style, but additions added that are unique to the designer.