Details Matter

The main idea throughout the reading is that candlelight is the only lighting that can bring out the true beauty of lacquerware. One can not truly appreciate lacquerware through any type of lighting. As a designer I must first figure out what I want to be the main focus of my design and plan everything around that idea. I must consider how best an item might feel in a room with changes of different lighting or even the positioning of objects. I have actually not eaten anything in lacquerware before. If I did I am afraid that I would have missed out on the true beauty because I do not normally eat under candlelight.

 I feel that Hildebrand is implying that hand work has more meaning and value behind it than items made by a machine. I also feel that he is trying to say that the way we see beauty in objects is wrong. As we look at an object we should judge the beauty of it by how it is made. A handcrafted piece of pottery is much more beautiful than a piece that was made in a factory. The process of the artist sitting at a wheel using their fingers to make different indentions and patterns is more beautiful than the actual piece of pottery that one sees.

In both readings the authors both have arguments in how we loose true beauty in objects. In the first reading about lacquer ware the author complains about how the change in lighting looses the beauty of the lacquer ware and how one perceives it. In the reading by Hildebrand he argues that people do not see the beauty in objects the way they need to. They judge by the actual look of the art work but not the beauty in the process.

Tanizaki,Jun’ichiro(1977).In praise of shadows.(T.J Harper and E.G.Seidensticker, trans.)Sedgwich,     ME:Leete’s Island Books, Inc.(original work published in 1993).

Rank, Isabelle (editor)(2000). The Theory of Decorative art: An anthology of European and American writings 1750-1940. New York: Yale University Press.

the beauty through the other senses

In Praise of Shadows

A)  The design isn't all about how we see something, but how we feel, smell, and hear something that is important in experiencing design.

B) I have never earen anything in authentic lacquerware.

Lacquerware soup bowl

Theory of Decorative Art

In the essay Hand Work by Adolf Von Hilderbrand, he explains how hand made art works are worth more and more meaningful to everyone, rather than just having a machine produce art.

Hand made chairMass produced chair 

These two readings both say that the beauty of an object isn't just by how if looks. It uses all the other senses as well. 

Tanizaki, Jun'ichiro (1977). In Praise of Shadows. (T.J. Harper and E.G. Seidensticker, trans.) Sedgwich, ME:  Leete's Island Books, Inc. (original work published in 1933)

Frank Isabelle (editor)(2000). The Theory of Decorative Art: An Anthology of European and American Writings 1750-1940. New York: Yale University Press.

Journal 6

"In Praise of Shadows" describes how one percieves things differently in different lighting.  It shows just hoe effective shadows can be and the ambiance it can create.  It also explains the strong effect the elegant laquerware has on the eyes.  Unfortunately,I have never eaten anything out of authentic laquerware.

 This is an example of intimate lighting which is said to be important in a dining experience

In "Hand work- Machine work" Hildebrand emphasizes the appreciation one should have for hand-made objects as oppsed to mass produced, machine made products.

Machine made

HandmadeIt is obvious which mug is of higher quality.

 All in all, I felt the two readings were both focusing of the importance of quality.  The intense process of handmaking the laquerware coincided with the emphasis Hildebrand put on the value of handmade products as opposed to machine made products.  

Tanizaki, Jun’ichirō (1977). In praise of  shadows. (T.J. Harper and E.G. Seidensticker, trans.) Sedgwich, ME:  Leete’s Island Books, Inc. (original work published in 1933).

Frank, Isabelle (editor) (2000). The theory of decorative art: An anthology of European and American writings 

1750 – 1940. New York: Yale University Press

Needs a title

When i read "In the Praise of Shadow" Jun'ichiro got up set that his favroite resturant change from candle light to electricity and he explain his experience with the lacquerware in the candlelight. When he does this i realise that thing are design for human experience. I personally have not eaten out of an authentic lacquerware be now i want to.

In the hand word/ machine work i think he saying that hand made art is not aperciated today as it as it used to be. Now because of machine can produce the same things it cant be uquie.

Reading this two passage made me thing of hand made designs and the past and how things were made and use. The future will all this go away or will we adapt and design more.

Tanizaki, Jun'ichiro (1977). In praise of shadows.(T.J. Harper and E.G. Seidensticker, trans.)                                                                                                                                                                             Sedgwich, ME: Leete's Island Books, Inc. (original work published in 1933).

Frank, Isabelle (editor) (200). The theory of decorative art: An anthology of European and American writings                                                                                                                                     1750-1940. New York: Yale University Press

The Little Aspects of Design

"In the Praise of Shadows," by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, he speaks about how his favourite restaurant has changed by introducing electric lights instead of using candles. He thinks that the lacquerware loses its beauty because you can't see the richness and gloss of the color. After asking for a candle, he sees how the act of eating at this restaurant changes because the level of light affects the overall experience he has. This means that everything aspect of design influences how a human experiences it. One little detail that is changed can impact how one views the complete space. When we design a space we have to realize that it can vary if one distinct aspect is altered. I have not eaten anything out of laquerware.

 Laquerware Bowls

The short essay, Hand Work - Machine Work by Adolf Von Hildebrand writes about how hand work and machine work differs. In today's society, the machines dominate the production word. But several objects/products have been made by hand for years. Making anything by hand takes more time but seems like more effort and care goes into the production. The quality is usually better when fewer objects are made at a slower pace versus machine production. When one buys an object made by a craftsman, the new owner is supporting the artist and the production of handmade goods.Handmade Chair

Machine Made Chair