Unit Summary Three

EXPLORATIONS

I think that this unit is titles explorations because of the simple fact that exploring is exactly what we did.  We explored many new places, thoughts, ideas, and buildings around the world.  This unit had a lot to do with discovering new things and generating new ideas or concepts.  Things weren't always like how they had been in the past either.

As this Unit 3 first started we began by learning about the World's Fairs.  These world fairs had many different design ideas that come from all around the world, hence the name of the title "worlds fairs".  There was an evident design struggle between gothic and classical.  This statement was presented "the right question to ask, respecting all ornament is simply this: was it done with enjoyment?".  The worlds fairs was like a collaboration of worlds into one piece or on place.  The purpose of them was for *commemoration*- to recognize major anniversary's  *commercial*-supported by governments and big businesses. *collaboration*- competitive, uniting, and international. *celebration*- to indicate world events, interests, and changes.  The advertisement for the fair had a fair, festival, exhibition, exposition, and expo.  

this is the World Fair in New York.

Surface vs. Substance was discussed this first week of the unit.  To me this means that some things appear to be great and well designed when really they have no substance to them or no backbone.  For example something with substance would be a artifact that was designed and took a very long time to make and went through many steps and processes in order to complete the final piece.  Something that is surface only looks good on the outside, therefor, it was probably thrown together quickly and may look just as good as the other, but it has no substance to it.  It will not last long or have as great of value.  This makes me think of things today. Things that are designed in todays society do not have nearly as much substance to them as they used to.  many objects or things in general do not hold up or last as long as things that were built decades ago.  This also goes right along with the two views of design.  

this is a well designed piece of furniture that has substance.

The art movements of this time were that of the art nouveau.  This was from the 1800's to the 1920's and known as the "New Art".  This art design let ones eye flow easily from one place to another.  It started in France, Belle Epoche, then went from there to Italy, Germany and Australia.  It then went on to influence things in our country, like skyscrapers and such. 

this is from the new art movement.

Modernisms was the next thing I learned.  Modernism was known for form and freedom of expression.  This is what made houses and buildings look different from what was known to be the normal or standard way of doing things.  To me modernized things were unique and new and exciting.  Although many people did not agree with this.  Some people would rather stick to the traditional way of making things.  Modernism has five aspects to it and they were arts and crafts, art deco and art nouveau, bauhaus, classical revival, and decorators.  Frank Lloyd  Wright, Charles Le Corbusier, and Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe were all modern designers of their time.  Not only were houses and buildings being made modern, simple things that go in them such as chairs were becoming more modern as well.  

this is a modern design of a house, shown in the Robie House by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Next the discussion was on interior decorating.  There became a need for interior decorators during this time.  This was mainly because of the suburban homes.  The first interior decorators were in fact all women.  Men came along as decorators not too long after that. 

this shows interior decorating in a home.

Scandinavian design was next introduced.  It was known for simplicity and functionality.  Modernism was a key aspect in the Scandinavian design.  Things were designed that served a good purpose and were generally inexpensive, making it so that nearly anyone could purchase the designed pieces.  Something that the Scandinavians influenced was that of some very simple and basic chair designs.  

Scandinavian design influenced the design of this chair.

Sources:
designwagen.com
nordicdesignblog.com
proprofs.com
crndtr23.blogspot.com
edopter.com
alamedainfo.com