rEading cOmprehension 6...

[1] A common theme of the early twentieth century found in Roth, Harwood, and Massey set the tone for an understanding of styles in architecture and design influenced by fine art. Selecting either Arts + Crafts or Art Nouveau, TRACE the influences of the selected style in more than two nations. In your answer, you should include evidence from the readings and at least two annotated images as support for your analysis of influences.

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Art Nouveau explores a new style in the visual arts and architecture that developed in Europe and North America at the end of the nineteenth century. It’s a style of design attempting to create a new vision that discards any past precedents and expresses a more visual language. Primarily a style of line and ornament, it’s mostly seen in architecture, interiors, furniture, graphic arts and the decorative arts. Designers of the Art Nouveau time believed that all arts should be creative and imaginative, work in harmony to create total works of art. This was more than a simple style, it was a way of thinking about modern society and new methods of production.

In Germany, there is a strong urge for a new style after industrialization. Munich becomes the major concentration of the arts. This movement began with the works of Hermann Obrist, Auguste Endell, Peter Behrens, Bruno Paul and Richard Riemerschmid.  The use of strong, asymmetrical geometry, extreme curves and an emphasis on decoration were popular. The style had a small impact on architecture but significantly influenced textiles, jewelry and furniture. This style movement was spread across Germany and into Belgium. It is credited for the advance design that thrived in Belgium during that time period. An example of Art Nouveau in Germany would be the Majolika Haus by Otto Wagner in Austria. Named after the weather proof, painted ceramic floral designs on the façade, with its decorative iron balconies and flexible S-shaped linear embellishment, this structure is most definitely considered Art Nouveau.

Majolika Haus by Otto Wagner in Austria

In Spain, Art Nouveau appears majorly in Barcelona. In Harwood (pg. 484),  in mentions two trends that were revealed, “ The mainstream Art Nouveau, called Moderismo or Arte Moderno, which follows the artistic lead of Belgium and France. The second trend is inspired by the Catholic Church’s view of contemporary life, which seeks to mold society both theologically and aesthetically.” A popular dominance of this trend is Antoni Gaudi. His forms were a display of twisted features, decorative details and attention to ergonomics. Materials included iron, stone, and ceramic tile often used to convert objects into renditions of flowers, trees and waves to create a surreal sense of place. An example of Art Nouveau in Spain is the Casa Batllo in Barcelona, Spain, with its undulating line movement made possible by a curvilinear metal frame and concrete, and it’s arches in relation to body’s skeleton.

Casa Batllo by Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona, Spain

 Influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement which drew attention to the return to nature, beautiful designs, graceful shapes and waves, in which are represented by vegetables, flowers, insects and colored birds. The Art Nouveau period communicates its expression in different art shapes, like stone front walls, ceramics, and iron, interiors with curved walls, frequently with an enthusiastic ornamentation.

[2] Originating at the Bauhaus and in the work of LeCorbusier, the so-called Modern movement deeply influenced design and architecture of the twentieth century. The great debate raised by this new approach to design involved the presence of the machine in the design process and final products.

SPECULATE about the implications of “machines for living” and the famous dictum “less is more” on design today. Use at least one ARTIFACT, SPACE, or BUILDING in your answer, providing a salient image (cited) and annotation to help bolster your argument.

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The Modern Movement, also known as the International Style, was classified by three broad principles, “emphasis upon volume rather than mass; regularity arising from standardized elements rather than axial symmetry; and emphasis on proportions and materials rather than arbitrarily applied decoration.” (Harwood, pg. 617) Modernized structures demonstrate simplicity and clean lines, not masked by embellishment. It concentrates on purity of forms such as cubes, cylinders or rectangles. Structurally sound using frames of steel and reinforced concrete, free and open floor plans are likely. Because of this, interior spaces are free flowing and lightly furnished with often moveable partitions. The famous dictum “less is more” is apparent in modernism because, “interiors are created primarily by architects who emphasize function, flexibility, efficiency and practicality. Form and proportion are more important than ornament and decoration are.” (Harwood, pg. 628)

The presences of machines are a major influence on interiors during this period. “Kitchens and baths are models of machine-like efficiency because designers plan them according to principles developed by the new discipline of domestic science or home economics.” (Harwood, pg.629) Majority of these decisions are made in the building of public housing where space is limited.

Pavillon de l'Espirit Nouveau interior by Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret

The Pavillon de l’Espirit Nouveau which is described as a "machine for living in" and compared to similar descriptions of automobiles, suggested that the basis of design for modern living was found in the effectiveness and economy of the workplace rather than in the extravagance and eccentricity of the traditional home or apartment, and relied more upon the skills of the engineer than those of the artist.

[3] From the assigned pages in Roth, Harwood, and Massey, SELECT an image that you believe explodes the notion that Modern interiors and objects were black and white. Fully RENDER your own design exploration of that image through color, material, and light and appropriately annotate and cite the image to prove this point.

The Johnson House interior by Phillip Johnson (Harwood pg. 605)

 Although the use of color within this house of glass designed by Phillip Johnson is monochromatic, it's not in black and white. The simplicity of colors compliments the structure of the building itself. With the warm colors and materials, this space seems to be comfortable, until you notice the no privacy part.