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. [15 POINTS POSSIBLE]

The Arts and Crafts movement starts in Britain and slowly moves to the United States. Glass and iron are important materials that influence the architecture and design. This becomes a time in searching for modern. In “Understanding Architecture,” a theme occurs in which “Gothic architecture was good because it was handmade by workmen who took joy in their work” (Roth 493). William Morris, an English designer, recognizes that the clutter in the interior does not match the exterior. He borrows on the natural world and revives the medieval where true architecture existed. There are bad interpretations of the classics into mechanical imitations. Morris sees this and designs the Red House where the interior relies on the warmth of wood, clean lines, and limited clutter. The exterior is asymmetrical and consists of exposed red brick.

http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kydg6iEo6k1qb8e5mo1_500.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DIleo4z7NArVzfNzdXvAUk4X4IlUldsB_T4tym75g_PZBiIGcTzHtxSBRsrJsKXE1RFrS31qayJDg15Ki8Ok_tktUF5qfUYhwOc4HLMhrOdSHhVBBZUdZN9Kzhkq91GW29s5DD9Ycu8/s400/red+house+interior.jpg

Some of Frank Lloyd Wright’s early work relates to the English Arts and Crafts movement. Roth mentions, “he was loath to admit to any outside influences, he did acknowledge Morris’s design philosophy” (495). However, Wright embraces the introduction of the machine into his design. This raise the question of how to combine the use of handwork and the machine and which is better to use. In the Robie House, there is a strong sense of horizontal, which speaks to the landscape. There is an integrated approach in his design where his lights are in the ceiling or in the dining room table. The chimney becomes an important feature; it is freestanding and the only thing separating the living room and dining room. He uses roman brick on the exterior to elongate the horizontal intent and hides he front door for a sense of exploration. This speaks to the arts and crafts movement because of the craft and the interior speaking to the exterior. There I a unified approach in which dematerialization speaks to the true architecture.

[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]

The presence of the machine influences design and architecture. The machine creates a moving line and fluid style. Everything moves in the twentieth century, even the automobile. There is a notion for speed and movement. Le Corbusier mentions that “a house is a machine for living—it should be as practical as a typewriter, a telephone, an automobile—no clutter.” These objects that are invented are practical and get the job done faster. According to Le Corbusier, a house is meant to be practical. Here should not be clutter, which distracts from getting everyday housework done. Practicality means easy living and this is celebrated in the twentieth century through many artifacts, interiors, and surrounding buildings.

The Postal Savings Bank celebrates the machine as decoration. The interior looks industrial or a factory and does not have the feel of a typical bank. Appliances are exposed and decoration is minimal. Materials of glass and steel dominate the space to embrace the idea of the machine.

http://www.barrylewis.org/images/postalsavings_small.jpg

The Villa Savoye by Corbusier focuses on form and geometric relations. Its inspiration comes from a machine. His design speaks to modern function and its beauty. The notion of pilotis or stilts allows the form to be lifted up. The automobile itself helps determine the form of the building. Figuring out the turning radius of an automobile determines the curved wall on the ground floor. The ribbon of windows provides much light in the interior spaces. The free plan is achieved using concrete, allowing curved walls to create special places.

http://www.honoluluacademy.org/cmshaa/uploadedImages/academy/Education/Villa%20Savoye.jpg

Both of these examples portray buildings in which the machine is celebrated. However, this raises the concern of if we are meant to live in a world where machines are for living. In today’s design, I think people continue to search the answer to this question. I think there is a stronger desire to relate to nature and our surroundings. This battle remains constant today trying to understand a world in which the machine merges with nature.

[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.

I think that the image from the Massey reading, "Our Dancing Daughter's"set design explodes the notion that Modern interiors and objects were black and white. People went to see these movies regularly during the depression and these bright interiors made people feel something different during this time. People wanted their homes to look as glamorous as the sets were in the movies. However, they were not these black and hite objects. Rather, it was an explosion of color.

Reflections Summary

The reflections discusses how things revolve in time. Nikki does an excellent job of portraying how this unit is a cycle. She states that "cycles begin with a revolution, or a drastic change." Throughout her essay she goes back to this theme of a revolution and how ideas are borrowed from the past. She gives great example of colonial america to clarify her idea of this unit. She ends her essay by saying, "in every era there is something new to be discovered." I think this statement summarizes the reflections unit well and prepares one for the next journey into explorations.

Cassie also discusses how the reflections unit revives and revolutionizes. Cassie discusses examples from the end of the renaissance to the 20th century. She provides many examples that show that this unit is a combination of looking forward and backward. She speaks of the new industry and how it shapes design. However, differing from Nikki, Cassie concludes saying that the reflections unit has many options and it becomes confusing for society. I think this is an interesting point and her examples allude to this.

Anna does a great job of explaining how the reflections unit is a cycle or the "circle of design." I think her example from the Lion King helps summarize the reflections unit. She also discusses how this cycle loops continuously. She discusses how the industrial revolution changes design and "various designs could now be made that before were just dreams." Anna really seems to embrace this unit and explain to everyone else the examples that help her make sense of this unit. I think her image does a great job of explaining what this unit meant to her. I like that she says things are reflected, but the reflection is not the exact same. I think this is true of the reflections unit that styles are borrowed on from the past, but might be different.

Alternatives Summary

The alternatives unit presented an interesting take on what the rules actually are in design. I have chosen to focus on Katherine, Ebony, and essay.

Katherine's main theme in her essay is that "you have to know the rules before you break the rules." She mentions that rules are apart of us and are ingrained in us at an early age. She starts off stating how Egypt and other structure focus on geometry and "man as the measurer of all things." However, in this unit she discusses how new ideas are test the rules and previous design styles are mixed into present ones. She states that change should be celebrated and rules should be broken. I love this image that Katherine incorporates in her essay. It shows how the rules are broken, yet celebrated at the same time.

Ebony also focuses on the idea of boundaries being tested and rules being broken. She speaks of dramatic angels and theatricality. She discusses how style shifts from a "grandeur practice" to one that tells a dramatic story. Ebony reveals a similar theme that style does shift and this unit focuses on how those rules are broken.

I think Dajana does a great job of describing the alternatives unit. She begins by saying that it was a rebellious one. She focuses of design elements in the Gothic period such as verticality and commodity. Clearly states, she says that reviving the classics and writing down the rules in the renaissance leads to breaking those rules and reinventing them." I think this clearly projects what the alternatives unit is about.

Point Essay: Reflections

What does it mean to seek modern? This is a question that continuously arises in the reflections unit. Starting with the Baroque period, rules move beyond the Renaissance. However, how far do rules go until they become written down again? Rules of the Renaissance consisted of geometry, single surfaces, and classicism. The Baroque time period moves outside of boundaries that is organic, fluid with naturalistic motifs and a strong influence of the Gothic world. Questions of various design languages occur during the Revolution. A desire of organizing world in a scientific way becomes significant during this time. Structures such as the Pantheon of France and the Greenwich conservatory shift in design where boundary breaking happens. This becomes a times of figuring out the rules and how they work which seeks a modern mindset, where moving beyond the Renaissance becomes the basis for design.

In colonial North America, the Revolution becomes important part of this age. It becomes an implication for design. During this revolution of declaring independence, the revival of learning and culture becomes a far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving. This is a world-changing event, which reconstructs the world and views toward it. This revolution becomes a cycle in design where observation of rules occurs, rules move outside the box and is turned upside down. Finally, rules are put back together again. Pieces of furniture and buildings are revolutionary in the sense that certain features of the previous model are taken and used in the next model. This continuously happens until so many design styles evolve and occur at the same time.

Soon, iron and glass becomes the dominant idea. These ideas match those of Gothic Cathedral in which verticality and dematerialization make the structure seem larger than actually is. This new material creates contrast in space where the outside speaks a different example than the interior. For example, in the Crystal Palace, many of the goods being sold spoke a language of classism as opposed to a new language of steel and glass. This raises different questions of looking forward and backward. This creates a lack of clarity in the 19^th century and a quest for what actually is modern. Industry and a concentration of factories in the United States become prevalent. The Gothic revival seems to hold on. New cathedrals arise, not of spirituality but of commerce. Questions arise of how to define America and what people wanted the Nation to say. Mid 19^th century, a variety of goods come to America from the east. Style begins to revolve around the eastern tradition and exoticism where thinking of a different place other than your own becomes common. The world becomes available and modern shifts to an interior speaking of some place else.

I think the Royal Pavilion describes the reflections unit the best. This building shows of worldliness with an eastern influence. It portrays the search in what exactly is modern and how that may include a variety of styles. Many styles are revived and pasted into different interiors where are rules are broken. This shifts in design reflects the old and the new. Not one direct style dominates. In this interiors space, a sense of another word is created. The bold details and textures speak exotic elements, which becomes fascinating. The chandelier becomes hierarchy to establish the gathering space of the dining room table. This would be a space to show off, and having many people over to enjoy the space was ideal.

http://www.hevacheritage.org/landmark_buildings/residential/royal_pavilion_brighton_3.jpg

This unit has covered many styles throughout the Baroque period continuing into the colonial North America and the 19^th century. It reflects voices of the past but still seeks what modern is. Rules move outside the box, and many interpretations of past styles are revived. The word modern is still sought after today. I am not sure if there will ever be one style that fits the word modern or if it will be continuous journey until people begin to explore the many options in design.

Reading Comprehension 5

[1] From the Roth, Harwood, and Massey readings, select an ARTIFACT you believe to represent revolution in design. SPECULATE about the type of revolution this artifact symbolizes. Supplement your answer with a beautifully hand rendered image of the artifact you selected, citing source and page on your image. [10 POINTS POSSIBLE]

The Chippendale Chair from the mid 1700’s is one of the most common pieces of furniture that was widely copied in the American Georgian and Colonial Revival periods. Similar features include intricate carving and a rectangular back. Later interpretations feature similar characteristics but alter other areas of the chair such as the arms or legs. Some later interpretations take the legs of the chair and pair it with a new back. Other interpretations may include the same back but different legs. Some chairs may eliminate the arms of the chair completely. This artifact represents revolution in design because through different interpretations, uniform variations occur. As the chair continues to evolve people take certain parts of the chair that will make it better for the current time. The revolution of the Chippendale chair coincides with the American Revolution. The transition from the colonies to the United States parallels the revolution of the chair. Early designs include human qualities appearing as though the chair could actually walk. The shoulders of the chair seem to have ears while the intricate carvings on the legs look like they are bent. Later interpretations seem lighter as though it floats off the floor. The legs are straighter without as much of a distinct frame. This suggests that styles begin to mix and there is a less cohesive style as the revolution continues. Questions arise of what the right answer is because so many various styles occur. The Chippendale chair is one of many examples that is a revolutionary artifact. A new nation is forming as well as the correct style. People continue to try and figure this out and what works best for the time. Different interpretations of past designs define the style and the reconstruction of the word and the views people have towards it.

2] Using the internet, LOCATE and ANALYZE an image for an ARTIFACT, a SPACE, a BUILDING, and a PLACE, drawing the idea of eastern influences as understood by nineteenth-century minds (China, Japan, India, Middle Eastern) on western design and architecture. Each answer must include an appropriately annotated and cited image in addition to a well-crafted essay to defend your choice of each image and the ways (more than one) that the material item responds to design influences from the east. [20 POINTS POSSIBLE]**

With trade from the eastern world becoming more accessible to the western world, many later interpretations incorporate eastern influence motifs and forms.

The Anglo-Japanese sideboard from 1867 by Edward M. Godwin reflects Japanese furnishings. This piece of furniture responds to design influences from Japan because of its simplicity and strong sense of geometric shapes. The straight legs relate to many Japanese furnishings hat are low to the ground. The dark ebonized wood also shows similarity to the oak and chestnut wood popular in Japanese furnishings.

http://homeinteriordesignthemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/e-w-godwin-japanese-sideboard-furniture.jpg

The Royal Pavilion interior at Brighton shows much of an eastern influence. This interior space is filled with color ad textiles. As trade from China becomes more prevalent in the western world, surface decoration and textiles from the eastern world becomes more common. Silk is introduced, with the idea of brightening the space in such a gloom area. This idea of the eastern world is a fantasy. People enjoy the idea of creating an artificial world in a different place. Entertainment and dinners were prominent to show off these spaces. The world becomes available and interiors showcase this.

http://www.essential-architecture.com/LO/ENGLAND/004-royal_pavilion_brighton_3.jpg

The Tea house at Marble House in Newport, Rhode, Island is a later interpretation of Chinese architecture. This building embraces some Chinese motifs such as latticework, and upward curving roofs. This interpretation seems to copy Chinese gateways to create an exotic element and a fantasy world as one walks into the space. Symmetry and geometric ordering occur throughout the building. The bright color symbolizes happiness. The animal motifs on the roof derive from Chinese culture in which the animals would protect from evil spirits.

http://frysingerreunion.org/1/new_england/cliffwalk21.jpg

Another area of focus that derives from Chinese influence is Chinatown in San Francisco. This is one of the oldest Chinatowns in North America. Buildings usually face the street with surrounding gardens. Bright colors symbolize happiness. Upward curving roofs push away evil spirits. Many structures present an authentic look and feel that one would get from Asia. Entrances usually have inscriptions to ensure happiness and protection. Many architectural feature multilevels and geometric stacking. Buildings usually stand on foundations emphasizing the idea of protection and hierarchy. Wood and stone remain prevalent materials in Chinatown. This was a place of high influence for Chinese immigrants.

http://www.san-francisco-hotel-reservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/chinatown.jpg

Counterpoint: Perspective

For this project, the focus was perspective in the alternatives unit. I chose to focus on the Salisbury Cathedral. I chose to enhance the perspective by making multiple layers. In the paragraph, I mentioned that this structure was a much different feeling than the outside rural setting. It creates a heavenly experience when you enter, symbolizing the divine. Many of the gothic cathedrals strive to reach heavenward, where an axial progression occurs in the interior. The Salisbury Cathedral is a magnificent structure that presents an alternative to worship.