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]

Art Nouveau is French for “new art” and it was a style that came to rise at the turn of the 20th century and it affected many different areas of life, as well as design. The decorative arts had a major impact because of this style, and from it we received organic shapes in iron work and harmony in many different scales of a structure. Two examples of this that are traced back to different countries are that of the Casa Milà by Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona, Spain. The other example is the Austrian Postal Savings Bank by Otto Wagner in Vienna, Austria. 

[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]

Corbusier’s goal in creating the ideology of “machines for living” was that architecture itself would be as easy and effective as factory assembly. It’s a product regardless of the scale that could be mass produced eventually through making and learning from your mistakes. Many products now days we’re hand made at first but throughout the years have been perfected and have been able to manufactured in a timely manner such is the example of the Barcelona chair by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Another example is a building designed as part of the Case Study project, that being the Eames House or Case Study No. 8 by Charles and Ray Eames in Los Angeles, California. The structure of this house was to be constructed entirely from “off-the-shell” parts that were fabricated and assembled off site and then delivered to the site and eventually constructed there. 

[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]