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.