[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. [15 POINTS POSSIBLE]
Art Nouveau according to wikipedia is “the international movement and style of art, architecture, and applied art - especially decorative art- that peaked popularity at turn of the 20th century”.
1.In 1905-1907 Antonio Gaudi stripped off and re-did the Casa Batllo in Barcelon, Spain. This building was an apartment building, and he used the notion of skin and bones. The up and down lines are like the bone structure being used. As the styles being borrowed on are baroque and rococo, new materials are also being used. Concrete and steal are found to come together; the concrete being used to create curvalinear lines. The surface material seen is tile and glass creating a large motif, which also helps the notion of movement through the decorative facade and curved concrete. This all adds to the theatrical look, where as you can see in the images that the play of light can be found. This is all summed up on page 403, in Harwood’s 18th century reading, “Toward the end of the 19th century, Art Nouveau borrows curves, light scale, and feminine qualities from Rococo”.
2. The 2nd architectural piece I chose was the Hotel Tassel by Victor Horta,1893-1897, in Belgium. The architectural style used on this town house is a mixture of baroque and art nouveau. When looking at the images you can see there are curvilinear lines used throughout. Across the surface there are continuing lines covering the full surface, giving a sense of movement through out. Light play is accounted for when looking at the staircase, which also shows the much elaborated surface space, touching on a much more “artsy” and decorative look. According to wikipedia , “It is generally considered as the first true Art Nouveau building, because of its highly innovative plan and its ground breaking use of materials and decoration. “
[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. [10 POINTS POSSIBLE]
1. Building: The Villa Savoye shows the importance of “machines for living” in a sense that it was built with the intent of being like a car parking deck. It centers around how the cars wo
uld move throughout, having ramps to take you to each separate level. It has the idea of ramps as though you are moving upward in a car and shows the literal experience. The curvalinear wall underneath is painted a darker color so that it comes across as though the white block is floating, creating a simplistic notion. This house was designed with the intent of basing it off of the 1920 cars and it being a "circulation device". The design was designed for the main purpose of having the experience and the intent of being a simple or shall we say "less is more" look. As shown below in the second picture, it is a very simple design. The white walls, the plain surfaces, the straight lines moving into a spiral staircase. It is a successful example of "less is more" but is not so simplistic where it is boring, it still has a way of holding ones attention.
[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. [5 POINTS POSSIBLE]
Good responses...need annotation for skecth
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