Edward Hopper Excursion into philosophy 1959
Painting Analysis
The Atmosphere of the Room embodies a sense of emptiness, stillness and loneliness which together feels very unsettling. The interior space appears as a very minimalist setting with only a bed and painting among the furnishing. In terms of the character, even though he is located in close proximity to the bare lady lying down on the bed, I still feel emotionally that they are very distant. There is a great deal of tension governing the room with what seems as a dilemma for the man that he is unable to resolve.
Therefore, I felt the man was in a deep state of contemplation, with a burden on his shoulders that is weighing him down because he is unable to resolve it. However, I also noticed that the Mans left foot is slightly forward; it seems to be venturing into the light painted on the floor . He thus seems to be vying for the metaphysical over the physical realm where the light coming in from the natural realm outside represents a sense of hope and progression, and perhaps a deeper sense of learning and knowledge as it provides life to the wheat outside.
Architectural Translation.
The main idea I wanted to address in my room was the sense of contemplation that the character was in. Looking towards the metaphysical realm for a revelation of light, the architecture of the space is governed by a single window that wraps the structure from East to West. This traces the moment of Sunrise to Sunset, the period in which the man from within the building can contemplate the greater ‘possibilities of the universe’ from an earthly perspective.
This also allows for a strong degree of passing time to be experienced within the interior of the space, with the variety of casted shadows by the framework of the window just as they move across the plain interior concrete walls as the day passes- providing a strong degree of animation. Note the window frame on the roof is slightly smaller in height than the frame down the walls (refer to the section drawing), meaning that predominant light enters from above. The reason for is mentioned below.
The characters dilemma is represented through the two very different spaces. In the first space, after rising up to the first level of the building, he can ponder about the issues in a circular motion- portraying the thought process. It is here also that he has reference and guidance from a wide perspective governed by the extension of the framed views to the horizon- thus he has access to all such ‘possibilities’. Yet, being double in height, this reminds us of the loneliness and emptiness of the space, where the light coming from predominantly above is reference to the metaphysical realm.
Alternatively, he can choose to stay on the ground level and further indulge within himself. In here he has an opportunity to engage in an activity such as reading to understand further his issues at hand. This space is more introverted and enclosed, yet it also remains to provide a strip of light to the inner space as a reminder that there is a greater hope that remains to exist which ever space he chooses. This light however is perpendicular both physically and psychologically to the light that governs the upper space- his other alternative.
In terms of site, the building is located on a vast plain field in the English countryside where it is selectively placed on the tip of a sudden drop in landscape. This stems to represent the whole tension that appears to govern the space and with no immediate urban context for as far as the eye can see, portrays his emotional distance from the other figure in the painting. This same tension is represented through the materiality and construction of the building where huge pre-cast concrete slabs are contrasted with fragile glass panels on the lower floor. This is allowed by the steel post and beam structure of the building.
Plan
Scale: 1:50
Section
Scale: 1:50
Axonometric
Scale: 1:100
Interior
Model by Day
Model by Night
