On minimalism in architecture: Emptiness, semiosphere, and culture

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34680/urbis-2024-4(2)-154-168 

Dragana Vasilski

University “Union – Nikola Tesla”, Belgrade, Serbia
[email protected]

ORCID: 0000-0001-5068-1500

ABSTRACT

The concept of essence develops as a prominent creative trend through the theme of emptiness seen in minimalism in architecture. To highlight a few experiences of the emptiness created by the function of space, this topic is examined in the juxtaposition of two cultures: Western as temporal and Eastern as spatial. This article focuses on the metaphorical connotations of space, on Lotman’s semiosphere, which is a space with the included area serving as a symbol of the included space. Lotman describes the semiosphere, based on dualisms, levels, and spatial oppo-sites that represent the Tartu semiotician’s thesis. This case study examines the research’s initial hypothesis of emptiness being a metaphor that appears in the semantics of connotation – in the connection between Eastern and Western culture ‒ and provides a spatial model for cultural interpretation.

KEYWORDS: minimalism, architecture,  emptiness, semiosphere, culture.

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Information about the author
Dragana S. Vasilski
PhD in Architecture / Technical and Technological Sciences
Full Professor of Architecture and Urbanism Department
University “Union – Nikola Tesla”
62‒64, Cara Dušana St., Belgrade, 11158, Serbia
ORCID: 0000-0001-5068-1500
Scopus AuthorID: 57193379249
Web of Science ResearcherID: CAH-1517-2022
e-mail: [email protected]

For citation:
Vasilski, D. (2024). On minimalism in architecture: Emptiness, semiosphere, and culture. Urbis et Orbis. Microhistory and Semiotics of the City, 4(2), 154-168. https://doi.org/10.34680/urbis-2024-4(2)-154-168