Journal 3: The Function of the Decorative Arts

The following deliberation is based on texts from the designers in early 1900's. Texts were found in a book: Frank, Isabelle (Editor) (2000) The Theory of Decorative Art: An Anthology of European and American writings 1750 - 1940. New York, Yale University Press

The Significance of Applied Art by Hermann Muthesius

In his written work Hermann Muthesius points out three aspects in the significance of Applied Art; artistic, cultural and economic. As for today the artistic side of art is more about unseen, innovative ideas and not so much about original styles and talent, that cannot be unseen. To me it seems that on most situations people are not willing to spend so much time in creating art as artists used to. We want to product, consume and be succesfull. Applied art is not about ezpressign yourself anymore, it's more about what is trendy and what sells the best. This brings out the economic side in today's art. The creative side has ceded as the productive side has risen.
What comes to the cultural side of applied art is obvious that art changes with its origin. Indian art is not and is not even excpected to be or look the same as art from Norway. I find it very important that even trough influences art would keep its cultural definitions.

An example of Indian artwork, a painting of a Hindu god GaneshaAn example of art in Europe, a painting of Virgin Mary

Manifesto of the Saatliche Bauhaus in Weimar by Walter Gropius

In his text I feel that Walter Gropius is trying to point out the signifigance of the matter of the architecture. He is pointing out that buildings were once the great examples of wondrous ideas in achitecture, not just disposable pieces of a streetview. He also talks bout the equality between artists and craftsmen, who should not be separated with caste barriers; "for art is not a profession".

Interior Design by the craftsmenA house presenting modern architecture

Type-Needs: Type-Furniture by Le Corbusier

As one of the most influental interior architects and designers Le Corbusier had boatloads of original ideas and was not afraid to bring them in the daylight. By his quote "to search for the human scale, for human function, is to define human needs" I think he wanted to express the purpose of a design to be "user-centered". As something that is created to serve a certain purpose. He ponders the definition of the term Decorative Art, and brings out several questions but I find him to be after the following comparison; What if an object was created to serve a sertain the purpose at first hand? Then later this changed to become a creation to help the consumer do things more easy and serve the purpose that way.

"Jopo" bicycle, an example of ageless desing that serves both the style and the use