Thursday, November 18, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Reflections Summary
"When we first began our study of reflections I immediately thought of water and its ability to return light from its surface and project a rippled representation of the world around it. This is similar to the way in which architecture has the tendency to reflect the culture of the society that built it." ~ Kelly
"Eastern Influence can easily be seen in the Peacock Room. Designed by James Whistler from 1876-1877, the surface decorations on the walls - forming a sort of cage - to display eastern pottery and china was one of the first forms of true interior architecture." ~ Audra
Peacock Room"As my father often said, there is not a first without a second, and we do not under estimate anyone because we might need them one day." ~ Jasmine
I pulled the quotes and images above from three of my classmate's essays on the Reflections Unit because I think they explained the main points very well. Kelly connects Monet's Water Lilies painting on every level to the revolution that is happening in architecture and design. I really appreciate the way she connected the painting to Vivaldi's symphony we listened to in class and then connected it to Versailles. She says, "The floating melodies, and the structured rhythm of the Autumn movement from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Suite reflects the fluidity of parts to the whole within the formality of the axial layout of the space." Art, music, and architecture were changing together and showing that designers, artists, and musicians were trying to capture the essence of their subject. In the revolution process, some styles stayed and some didn't. Audra states that this process is called "The Revolution of Excess" and Eastern influence is key to toning down the excess. The Peacock Room is beautiful and exotic, but the straight lines and simple color pallet allow it to be dramatic yet calming at the same time. She says "the surface decorations on the walls - forming a sort of cage - to display eastern pottery and china was one of the first forms of true interior architecture." Even though there a many pieces displayed on the walls, the space doesn't seem cluttered at all. Revolution was not only seen in interiors, but grand buildings such as the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan were showing what new materials such as glass and iron could create. The interesting thing is that as design moved forward, the past was not forgotten. Stone is still a major material used in this building. Jasmine states, "In my opinion, very few buildings are as beautiful and successful as this one in bringing together the old with the new, into a seamless dance of shadows and lights, moving among the heavy stone walls."
Alternatives Summary
"The Alternatives unit continues into the Baroque period where breaking rules and the boundaries becomes the alternate to design. Baroque suggests more fluidity, spilling over the edges, challenging authorities, and testing limits." ~ Kathryn
"Another one of the ways to sum up the Renaissance period was not only the rebirth or creation of something new, but the combination of classical movement, beauty and architecture." ~ Jessica
I didn't see a post on Jamaan Simons blog?
Monday, November 8, 2010
point : reflections
The main theme in the Unit – Reflections, is the Process Of Change. We observe the design principles being pushed outside the box and since there are many voices planning what will come next, moving forward is the only way to stop the talk and see the change realized. By incorporating Roman, Greek, and Gothic revivals into architecture, scale and new materials produce amazing structures that change society. Commerce begins to be the new religion and the goods brought from the East introduce a worldliness that Europe and America enjoy.
It is hard for people to make a change before reflecting on why they want the change in the first place. It is really important for designers to look back to the foundations of architecture and the alternatives already tried, and then, start thinking and talking about what comes next. It is very interesting that at the same time in history that all the revival styles were spinning around, the mirror was invented and we could stop, focus, and reflect. Looking back at our selves to find what needed to be corrected was probably just as significant as looking to the architecture for the answers.
As industrial and political revolutions were flipping the world on its head, England and America were changing design at every level. Furniture was rejecting curves and more simple straight lines were brought back. Practical things such as wheels were put on tables for mobility. Thomas Jefferson brings the Roman revival back from France and columns and domes are seen in the new government buildings in Virginia and Washington, DC. As the country moves south and west the Greek revival is seen in the government buildings in North Carolina and Tennessee. The scale of these buildings relate strongly to Roman and Greek architecture, and when size and new materials such as glass and iron are introduced in the 19th century, Gothic revival is also apparent. Gallerias, Libraries, and exhibition halls allowed for massive open spaces for expanding the minds and level of enjoyment of the people.
Change is usually good. The industrial revolution is the bridge that connects the world and leads Europe and America towards a modern society. People are reading about other cultures and buying exports from the East, which allows their way of thinking to change. Designers involve themselves in this movement by creating beautiful art, artifacts, interiors, clothes, and architecture that incorporate nature and simplicity learned from the East.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Reading Comprehension 5
Interior Design Since 1900 . Anne Massey . page 29 . Image 21
The Eastlake inspired desk above represents revolution in design by incorporating the simple straight lines found in Japanese furniture. Louis Comfort Tiffany designed his New York flat to include naturalistic forms in his wall treatments and accessories, as well as the furniture he chose for the space. In 1883 it was important for people to show worldliness and a connection to the East through the treasures showcased in their homes. Having a large artifact such as this desk with beautifully hand carved details spoke the same language that William Morris was trying to express with his designs. Arts and Crafts designers felt strongly that simple hand crafted furniture would be the revolution that everyone needed. We needed to reconnect with ourselves and the earth and not be so dependent on machines to mass produce everything. Going back to simplicity and nature represents Asian influence in Western design.
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Artifact
Sevres Porcelain Factory - Sevres, France - 1862-76
Tea service with bamboo design
The intricate designs on the porcelain tea set below shows the influence of handcrafted artifacts being reintroduced into the western world. The handle and carved details resemble Asian furniture and are exotic yet simple.
http://sccp.main.jp/modules/tinyd2/rewrite/tc_9.html
http://www.oldhouseonline.com/aesthetic-movement-lighting/
Building
The Guimet Museum of Asian Art - Paris, France - 1885
The front of this building looks very similar to Chinese architecture. Compare the Museum in Paris to the building below in China. The bottom is solid and simple while the middle and top have more elaborate and repeating details. Both buildings have the point at the top to help bring the viewers attention all the way up the building.
http://img.metblogs.com/paris/files/2008/07/dscn5546.JPG
http://www.solomon.cps.k12.il.us/images/hall.jpg
Place
Japanese Garden, Park Clingendael - The Hague, Netherlands -1910
In the late 19th century Bonsai Trees were included in various international exhibitions and people started to incorporate Japanese trees and plants into their landscape designs. The small building in the garden resembles a traditional Japanese home and the red bridges connected a popular Japanese color to this place.
