The Corridors of Metaphor An Unconventional Art History of the Alhambra

Date of Award

2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Carrasco, Magdalena

Keywords

Alhambra, Granada, Spanish History, Heritage, Islamic Architecture

Area of Concentration

Humanities

Abstract

Art history is often limited to introverted or historical interpretations of works. This thesis takes the Alhambra as an example of a work of architecture in which analysis of its modem landscape adds necessary levels of meaning to its interpretation. The thesis begins with a chronology, moves on to a historically based comparison between the Medieval Islamic palaces, and the Renaissance palace in the Alhambra, then isolates the ornamentation of the Nasrid palaces and pursues the introverted interpretation of a specific aspect of the Alhambra. The interpretation relies on the experience of the visitor to the palaces who infers multiple meanings at once, and determines flexible conclusions. I argue that this holistic method of interpretation should be extended to the modem landscape, so that the live situation establishes dynamic meanings. A look at the modem landscape of the Alhambra reveals the workings of David Lowenthal's heritage phenomenon in which a fascination with the imagined idyllic past allows for problematic portrayals of the site. If academia recognizes these modem dynamics, it can interpret the Alhambra more profoundly and accurately, avoiding participation in the falsities of heritage.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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