History of Art & Architecture

Mid-term

Ali Shahjehan – 4th year – 308

Q: How did Modernism aid to post-colonial nationalist movements in art, design and
architecture? Why did governments of newly independent states that followed colonial empires
adopt a modernist agenda to represent themselves? Give relevant examples to support your
answer.
Note: This answer is focused towards the architectural history of Pakistan specifically, regarding modernism, colonialism and post-
colonial era and is more leaned towards my personal point of view given the examples, timeline and Attended History Lectures.

A: Modernism has been dominant during the first half of the 20th century where it boomed
after World War II. Its basic principles were form follows function, minimalism, using materials
derived from newer technologies and economy. The world was at the verge of an economic crisis
during WWII and the states had less resources to create structures with high ornamentations
and pure forms. Le-Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright started working in modernistic ideas during
late 1890s and early 1900s setting the standard for the world to follow while the international
style developed in 1920s.

2 Center of Le Havre-France during WWII 1 Center of Le Havre-France after WWII

Due to the Aftermath of WWII, there was a high demand

of construction and resettlements but the high consumption of
steel and other materials during war caused shortage, which
became a driving force of innovation in building material and
construction i.e., the semi-circular pre-fabricated sheds were
being innovated to become usable spaces as homes and shelters
known as Quonset Huts. They were made using corrugated
3 Quonset hut adapted for commercial
steel sheets. These innovations were to reduce construction cost use in Westland, Michigan
as it being the most major concern for post-war countries. (US
GOV 1947).
 Another aftermath of WWII was the new
independence of states under the rule of Britain. During
1946-1960, 36 states took autonomy from their European
rulers (Milestones: 1945–1952). Within these states during
colonial rule, nearly all of the development was guided
by their European counterparts. Rulers themselves
developed multiple new forms of art and architecture i.e.,
colonial architecture, Orientalism, Federal Architecture
etc. This became a trademark of their authority and 6 The Royal Pavilion in Brighton, England
power, but after the Independence of states, these (Orientalism)

structures i.e., Lahore High Court, Frere Hall Karachi,

also became memory of suppression and undermined
hierarchy. Hence nationalist took to themselves to create
a new, modern and independent statement of themselves.
They wanted to create this factor clear of them being and
entity having an identity to represent the nation as their
own, hence they rooted for the booming architectural
style of the era, modernism, to represent themselves as an
independent nation now being able to grow and prosper
5 Front view of the Frere Hall by Henry Saint Claire
after the century of suppression and mental slavery I.e., in Karachi (1865)
Minar-e-Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum, Faisal
Mosque. Where modern architecture’s economics, and
minimalistic expression helped to achieve it as modern
structures did not require art and craft like Gothic,
Neoclassical or Romanesque which was an influence for
colonial architecture and modernistic ideas of technology
helped them represent their visions and ideas. this gave
chance for development and for the national artists and
architects to showcase their skills and also to create an
identity for themselves as representatives of the nation, 4 Jinnah Mausoleum by Yahya Merchant in
Karachi, Pakistan. (1971)
but this was not the case entirely.

After the independence of subcontinent, governments of these nations did take a

nationalist approach to infrastructure development using the modernist ideas, but these
governments took to international architects for the development i.e., le Corbusier for
Chandigarh (India), Edward Durrell for Presidential palace of Pakistan etc. was it the lack of
skill we had? That we had to ask the same nation for design and representation, the nation we
wished to defy so much. These architects were the modernist architects of the era, and were
called for their modernistic approach to be dwelled in our nations yet the buildings that were

7 Assembly building, Chandigarh, India - Le Corbusier
- 1961
8 WAPDA House, Lahore - Edward Durell - 1967
constructed as our identity, and as our statement were
not entirely modern, i.e., Palace of Assembly,
Chandigarh is considered Modern yet multiple elements
are related with early postmodern since the era when
independent states started commissioning major works,
was shifted. Modernism was in for more than 50 years
and the styles of these architects was highly refined by
that time such that it had tinges of post modernism.
Aiwan-e-Sadar, Islamabad and WAPDA House, Lahore
by Edward Durell is also a prime example of how the
style took turn after independence towards modernism
yet not entirely modern but with references of Post-
modern. These buildings did become a huge influence
among the nation as for their locations. WAPDA House
became an icon for Lahore’s Cheering Cross, Aiwan-e-
Sadar became a crown for Jinnah Avenue of Islamabad,
Yahya Merchant (Indian)’s Mazar-e-Quaid became the
biggest Attraction for Karachi, yet it was not us
representing ourselves but others.

The Colonial constructions were highly efficient, multi-purpose and derived from our
culture. They became our identity for the world to see and to some degrees, still are. But the
psychological repent from those spaces, that era, and the resent caused by their creators, and
users caused us to repent it rather than to adopt and refine it. it has been 75 years to
independence, and we still have no identity than the identity Mughals or British rulers gave us.
We are still using it as an identity due to the lack of understanding towards our nation as a
singular entity by the ones in power, and by the disconnect we created from our culture right
after independence for the sake of creating a new identity and statement by bringing what was
going on in the world at that time and not being artist, architects, and speakers for ourselves.
we have failed to represent ourselves to the world and we have failed to stand up for who we
are and what we can do.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Building the Navy's bases in World War II: History of the bureau of yards and docks and the Civil Engineer Corps, 1940-1946
(1947). Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.

Milestones: 1945–1952 - Office of the Historian (no date). Available at: https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/asia-
and-africa (Accessed: 12 November 2022).