Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Folklife and Folk Architecture

To my understanding, the difference between folklore and folklife is questionable. Some people consider them the same thing, others believe one encompasses the other. However, I think it is more widely understood to be that folklore focuses on oral traditions, whereas folklife consists of material culture. So for example, a legend or joke would be considered folklore, but a family quilt or a traditional dance would be considered folklife. 

The difference between everyday architecture and folk architecture was a little confusing to me. I was surprised to see that form, rather than function, was the major aspect in identifying folk architecture. But as I read the chapter, it became more clear that what makes architecture "folk" is whether or not it has a traditional form. So, a log cabin or a native american longhouse would be considered folk architecture because they are traditional archetypes for housing structures. A modern, oddly shaped stadium or museum for example, would not be considered folk architecture because its form and structure have no roots traditionally or culturally.

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