Art Appreciation

Erika Marie Calucab BSN 1C
Art Appreciation
Whether you're lucky enough to have visited Paris or have only ever dreamed of going
there, chances are you know of the French capital's most beloved landmark: the Eiffel Tower.
The Eiffel Tower, La Tour Eiffel in French, was the main exhibit of the Paris Exposition — or
World's Fair — of 1889. It was constructed to commemorate the centennial of the French
Revolution and to demonstrate France's industrial prowess to the world.
The mere mention of its name invokes a feeling of romance and the thrill of Paris. It is easily one
of the most identifiable structures in the entire world. When you go to Paris for the first time, you
go to see the Eiffel Tower. Sure, there are other amazing things that Paris has to offer like the
Louvre, Versailles, Notre Dame, and Sacré-Cœur but you go to experience the Eiffel Tower.
The Eiffel Tower was built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris. Construction started
in 1887 and finished in 1889. It’s been drawing people to Paris to see the sight ever since. The
structure is 1,063 feet tall and for 41 years it was the tallest man-made structure in the world.
There are two ways you can get to the top; you can take the lift from the bottom or you can
climb the stairs for the second level and take the lift to the top level. The line to climb the stairs
in usually A LOT shorter however, you will be climbing 704 steps – talk about getting your workout
in!
Who does the art impact?
Who isn’t attracted the first time the Eiffel Tower was introduced to them? Generally
speaking, anyone can look at the tower and be hugely impacted by it. But in my own opinion two
groups of people are mostly targeted by this work of art—lovers and dreamers. Lovers because
Paris has been called the City of Love, and it has been part of every lovers’ travel to take their
lovey dovey pictures with the tower as their background. For me these tower holds a special
meaning in their relationships, that just like this tower they would want to last long and hold
strong. And dreamers, of course, because it is everybody’s childhood dream to travel and visit
this masterpiece.
The Eiffel Tower is like an inspiration for them to work and strive hard to be able to visit these
beautiful landmark. It’s a symbol of hardwork and patience, a reward for long years of struggles.
Just like how this artwork was built, it took a lot of experimentation, of rejection, but look at it
now, one of the world’s most famous landmark.
How many people can relate to the art?
Globally, a lot of people can relate to the Eiffel Tower. I believe that there is no one, most
probably, in the world that could not recognize this precious work of art. Being one of the most
famous wonders in the world, Eiffel Tower is an epitome of class, of beauty, and of love.
How much can the art be appreciated? Why?
For me, art cannot be under or over appreciated. People have different perceptions but I
think, Eiffel Tower received so much love and recognition for its unfailing beauty. Even up until
nowm though it has been erect for a lot of years,
"Although at the beginning it was seen as 'the ugliest building in Paris,' soon it became the symbol
of the city," said Tea Gudek Snajdar, an Amsterdam-based art historian, museum docent and a
blogger at Culture Tourist.The Eiffel Tower is still the centerpiece of Paris' cityscape. More than
7 million people visit this iconic tower every year, according to the attraction's official website.
Since the tower's 1889 opening, 250 million people from around the world have enjoyed all that
the Eiffel Tower has to offer.
And it has a lot to offer. The tower's three platforms are home to two restaurants, several buffets,
a banquet hall, a champagne bar and many unique gift shops. Educational tours of the tower are
available for children and tourist groups.The Eiffel Tower "provided Paris with the most
distinguishable silhouette," said Polansky. Its distinct look has made it an enduring symbol of
Paris. But according to Gudek Snajdar, more than just its striking shape makes it an icon of the
city. "Paris was a center of modern art and painting at the time [late 1800s], home to democracy,
and hosting the first world exhibition," she said. "It was meant to be a birthplace of modern
architecture, too."
How much influences does the art have on the past? On human condition? Psyche?
Behavior? Nature? Struggle?
The construction of the Eiffel Tower has been through a lot of issues in the past, it had
undergone countless of rejections before it could finally stand where it is now. A hundred years
after the French Revolution, the 1899 Exposition Universelle, the World’s Fair held in Paris,
especially was notable. It was during this time that they celebrated the liberty established by the
republican government and to showcase research advancements. To mark the occasion and
demonstrate the glory of France, a great iron tower over a 1000 feet tall would be erected on the
Champ de Mars for 20 years. And from then on, the Eiffel Tower was conceived.
However, the beginning of the constructions of the tower was never easy. It has been challenged,
saying that with such feat the tower could not withstand wind at such high altitudes. Even a
mathematics professor argued that the tower would inevitably collapse at 748 feet. But look at it
now? Yet because of all his experience, Eiffel was confident in the sturdiness of his design and
his planned methods of construction for the 1063-foot tower.
If I were to be asked, for me the Eiffel Tower symbolizes resilience and determination. Despite
the rejections it had to face, it has proved itself to all the people who doubted it at first. And I
hope that a lot of people would see that, and would know that. I would want to advocate this so
that a lot of people will be knowledgeable about the Eiffel’s history. I hope people with see it the
way I do and would inspire more to just be like that Eiffel Tower. That more than just being in
the heart of Paris, and a symbol of love, there’s more to Eiffel Tower.

Art Appreciation

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Erika Marie Calucab BSN 1C

Who does the art impact?

How many people can relate to the art?

How much can the art be appreciated? Why?

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