Reading Comprehension 6 for IAR222

[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.

Paris Opera:Paris

Atelier Elvira: Munich,Germany

Art Nouveau was about creating something with an exotic feel. It was considered “art for art’s sake”.  The influences, while they may seem like completely different buildings shown above are the same for each.  In these images lies the influences of Ancient architecture, such as Greek and Egyptian, as well as Gothic influences. In the image of the Paris Opera house, you can see the formality of these eras. The Ionic colonnades, the use of stone-like materials, and the repeated ornamentation circling the room are all influences from Greek and Egyptian architecture. The statues around the room are very similar to the ones inside of the Pantheon and in the Temple of Athena. Also, note the Gothic influences with the embedded columns around the inner walls. In addition to the columns, are narrow archways that provide a greater illusion of height just as the Gothic cathedrals do.
In the picture of Atelier Elvira, a more casual influence is apparent. It is clear of the natural influence with the root-like ceiling which is used much like the ornamentation of the Papyrus columns at the Hypostyle Hall. This interior is more organic. The thick sweeping curves may come as a result of the lavish Baroque style period. Gothic however isn’t forgotten, the pointedness of the roots reflects the spiked ornamentation of it’s architecture.

Anne Massey describes Art Nouveau designers as ones who concerned themselves with all the elements of a building, from the architectural shell down to the door handles. ( Massey, p.32)


[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.

http://www.radio.cz/en/section/panorama/daniela-hammer-tugendhat-our-villa-was-stolen-and-now-has-to-be-returned

Machines changed the architectural world. They made Modern architecture affordable for almost everyone, or at least more than the previous eras of Arts and Crafts had. Mass production came about which allowed many items to be constructed in bulk. It also made building faster. Going deeper on that note, when bringing the statement “machines for living” inside, a new meaning arises. In the image above of the Tugendhat House, I think machine refers to the partitioning wall. The ability to constantly manipulate a space was a revolution in architecture. One could also say that the statement is talking about the need of machines to cut the materials used in interiors, such as iron, glass. and marble seen in the image. However, this brings up the dictum “less is more”. While these materials may look simple, with low ornamentation they are rich in themselves. The crisp and light color palette of these materials creates a beautiful interior with the help of the flood of natural light coming from the large glass-ribbon windows.
“Inspired by a new movement aesthetic, the Modern Movement stripped away unnecessary ornament from the interior.”(Massey, p. 63)
On the contrary, less is more. These materials are not cheap. It does cost more to cut things such as marble. Modernism isn’t just about the use of the machine. It is about perfection. For example the Barcelona chair in the image, isn’t machine made. It is hand crafted. One would never know that unless research was done, because of its great craftsmanship and great attention to perfection in it’s detail. Many designers such as Werkbund, challenged the industry to raise its standards while still acknowledging mass production.


[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.

In the image below, I chose to render it in the way Charles and Ray Eames did their home. they used bold reds, blues, and yellows. They also used iron as an agent in their design. The floor is a marbled-like cement which celebrates the modern use of materials. The club hub chairs are also a nice modern touch to this interior. 

Massey p. 114

Reflections Summary

For the Reflections Unit summary, I selected the blogs of Cassie Bradfield, Kelly Harris, and Jasmine Jones. Each described the unit as being about a revolution, and also about how the industrial revolution played a major role in changing the way architecture is viewed and made.
Cassie did an outstanding essay on the unit. She touched bases with every point that had emphasis on the 18th and early 19th centuries. The image she used to describe the unit was very original and extremely on point.

From Cassie's blog

Kelly took a more artistic approach to the unit. She compared the unit to water and also Monet’s Water Lilies. Kelly also made an interesting point in her essay, she mentioned that Versailles was and had a design at every scale. I have never thought of that before. I began looking around my apartment after I read that and realized that it is true for all interiors maybe not as lavish and vast but still existent.
Jasmine mentioned a very unique idea in her post. She stated that during this time period, people were scrambling for an i.d. I find that to be very intriguing and true. Her image was also extremely relevant on her post as well.

From Jasmine's blog

 http://cassandrashannon.blogspot.com/
http://kelysiarcblog.blogspot.com/
http://jasminenicolej7.blogspot.com/

Alternatives Summary

In reviewing my classmates Point summaries on the Alternatives unit, I chose to focus primarily on the blogs of Austin Loman, Abigail Buchanan and Leslie Canipe. All three did a great job in explaining the unit very well. I could tell that they understood the unit in great detail. Even if I wasn’t in the class I would be able to comprehend the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque time period.
Abigail’s blog post gave a great overview of each unit with great examples of each time period. She emphasized the importance of the reviewing of the classic elements in each of the time periods.
Leslie’s post consisted of an in-depth analysis of the Gothic era. She pointed things out that I had never thought about. For instance, “The main concept is “Ecstasy and Exultation,” which essentially relates to the shaping of space around the light, colors, and amplifiers themselves.”  After reading her excerpt,  I gained more knowledge about the Gothic era in particular. She also pointed out that in the Renaissance, our main principles of design and design elements came into play.
In Austin’s review of the Alternatives Unit, he stated that the Renaissance was a cultural revolution. I had never thought about the Renaissance being a cultural revolution before. His statement allowed me to think about the Renaissance in a more thorough way than just the analytical way I had been. Austin’s image of David also became more clear to me. I finally understood the emphasis that Roth, Harwood, and Patrick were putting on this image. 

Bernini's David

http://abigailbuchanan.blogspot.com/
http://lesliekcanipe.blogspot.com/
http://www.austinloman.blogspot.com/

Point Reflections

At the start of American colonialism during the 19th century, there wasn’t much the American’s could contribute back to the world in terms of goods and products. A few raw materials is all the American’s had. However, after the Declaration of Independence in 1776, American’s were free to barter and trade with whomever they pleased. Being that America was centered in the middle of the two major trade oceans, the Atlantic and Pacific, goods were received from the East and West.
Goods from the East brewed a new change in design for the Americans. A completely new style of architecture and textiles was introduced. The eastern countries brought many things with them such as textile patternings, vibrant wallpapers, unique Indian domes, red sandstone, etc. One of the most predominant things contracted from the East was the fabric, silk. Silk is a very delicate fabric that was also durable, and deemed classy. The use of silk had many advantages. Women’s clothing was of higher quality as well as a lighter weight burden on themselves. The textile patternings along with the use of silk allotted for a vast amount of fabrics that were extremely luxurious. They could be used as drapery, bedding, for furniture. Anything could be done with silk for the most part.
Whatever is sterling must also have it’s downfall. Silk is only produced once or twice a year from the silkworm. Therefore, the demand becomes to high for the outcome, resulting in an increased price. Intern making it eventually only available to the wealthy people of this time.
Another huge achievement during the 19th century was the rise of the machine. During the Industrial Revolution, the production of iron and glass came about that changed architecture forever. Constructing a building became faster and the buildings became stronger. Also, buildings were able to stretch far more further than before. The span of a building reached approximately three-hundred feet. This is the age in which sky scrappers were constructed. Not only was the business world improved with architecture but also leisure was advanced. Many new arcades such as the Crystal Palace came about. In addition, a vast amount of operas and train stations arrived.
The need for shopping arcades as well as new textiles peeked just as women’s rights began to change. The more freedom women were given is a direct correlation to the architecture of the 19th century. For instance during the time of the Arts & Crafts era, even though it was predominantly male, the presence of a woman is apparent. The interiors mainly are more aesthetically pleasing with softness all around. Architecture seemed to free itself temporarily from the constraints of the classical world and branch out to revive other styles such as the Gothic. It wasn’t until Henry Hobson Richardson constructed the Trinity Church in Boston, that true american architecture was seen. Until then America was a huge melting pot full of various architectural styles. The image below is of the Trinity Church in Boston.  You can see the various style periods all throughout, dating back into the Egyptians and Greek days.

http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/bostonrich/bostonrich.html

 

Reading Comprehension 5 for IAR222

[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.

Harwood(II) p. 28

This revolution in design strives from the gain of womens' rights in the 19th century. The free flowing of this chair is like the swaying walk of a woman. The back legs coming off of the chair symbolize a woman's dress. More so, the but of the seat is curved, showing the passion women show rather it be in the comfort of a chair or in everyday life. Also, the materials used in this chair are a direct relation to the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century. It is comprised of iron.


[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.

In the 18th century, Eastern influences were introduced to the remainder of the world. The influences in the mirror appear quite boldly with the vibrant gold coloring and drapery. Golds and reds are used in many Asian articles as well as royal blues. The drapery imitates the style in which Chinese curtains are gathered. The mirror is also texturized to symbolize silk. Silk is a natural fiber that is very smooth, often sheer, and generally considered luxurious. 
The chair on the right is a simple chair with a decorative back. The back is lucidly lined and depicts a dragon which is a very common decorative motif in Asian cultures too. Looking more into the back of the chair it seems as though it comprised of lines that form tiger-like paws at the top of what would be considered the dragon’s tail. Tigers are also another well-known Asian motif. 

In the space provided above, the coloring is a great representation of Eastern works. A more prominent Asian detail is the Bamboo plant holder in the right of the image. Bamboo is generally associated with the Japanese and Chinese culture because it grows so rapidly and vast in their soils. It is furthermore considered as a symbolic article of luck and good fortune. Also, the textile patterning is a runoff of traditional Indian patterning. The pattering in the wallpaper is the same markings used in in the ritual of hand art in the Hindu religion. The use of materials, such as the rich woods and the strong fabrics, is another aspect of the Eastern culture. Even though the Industrial Revolution came about in the 19th century, in most instances the Eastern countries strayed away from the use steel and glass for personal spaces and furnitures. The use of natural materials connects one with nature while also providing a sense of warmth in the cold hustle-and-bustle society.

The Texas State Capitol is not only a building but a place, as well after its underground extension in 1993.  From the exterior it is somewhat apparent of the Eastern influence with the steepled dome and red granite walls. The light use of patterning on the gate also strives from the East. But it is more evident on the interior of the building. You can see in the image on the right, when looking down inside the dome, the image inscribed on the floor was inspired it seems by Indian patterning. The image may also reflect the Chinese patterning found in minor artifacts like teapots and other ceramics. Also, in the interiors the gold and red are shown again.

Sources:

Artifact:

http://www.christies.com/features/auctions/0909/7750/

http://www.framemuseums.org/jsp/fiche_oeuvre.jsp?STNAV=&RUBNAV=&CODE=O11504617312681&LANGUE=1&RH=UsaFRAMEMuseums&OBJET_PROVENANCE=COLLECTION


Space:

http://www.library.illinois.edu/spx/BigRead/StoletovHouse2.jpg


Building:

http://zippothepirate.blogspot.com/2005_01_01_archive.html

http://webitect.net/general/40-delightful-pieces-of-tilt-shift-photography/