Significance of Applied Art

The Significance of Applied Art :by Hermann Muthesius

Muthesius gives us a background on applied art. He says that people of the past cared more about the appearance of the object rather than the function of the object. Today, people have changed their thoughts on this. People now are focusing on the function, with still appearance in mind, just not coming first.

In the photo above, the object shows function, yet with appearance in mind.

   Manifesto of the Staatliche Bauhaus in Weimar :by Walter Gropius

Crafting is also important when it comes to design. A great designer would put time and effort in creating the object and knowing how make the design in reality. Although, a designer and a craftsman are not the same thing.

 In the image above, i believe the object combined crafts and fine arts into one.

Type-Needs: Type-Furniture  by:Le Corbusier

Corbusier explains that people, as in us, make objects based on human needs. We also make it appealing to us as well as the function of the object. This term is called "decorative art."

The image above shows a room with objects that are appealing.  

Frank, Isabelle (editor) (2000). The theory of decorative art: An anthology of European and American writings 1750 – 1940. New York: Yale University Press.

Function

HERMAN MUTHESIUS The Significance of Applied Art

Muthesius starts by speaking about what people have done in the past when it comes to applied art.  He mentions that people were too focused on the appearance of the objects they were designing, trying to give it a certain stylistic look that they forgot about practicality.  They often did replicas of objects done in past artistic movements, and, in turn, forgot about the present and its specific needs.  Now, people have been completely changing their approach to applied art, and it is an incredible change that brings great significance to applied art.  It is not that people have completely new and original ideas when approaching the design.  They just have a new thought process when designing the applied art.  Instead of looking to the past and focusing on the appearance, they look at function, material and construction, the three fundamental principles of design.  In doing this, they are not completely disregarding the appearance of the object, but the appearance is not what comes first.  Modern applied art has a much more effective and efficient approach.

Eames chair (functional, but also beautiful)

WALTER GROPIUS Manifesto of the Staatliche Bauhaus in Weimar

I believe that we should return to the crafts as well.  If you are to be a good designer, you have to be able to make what you design.  Otherwise, you probably will not know enough about the materials and making of the object to know whether or not the product you put is successful.  

IDS 271 boxes (We made our own boxes for monitor storage, which definitely makes us appreciate them.)

LE CORBUSIER Type-Needs: Type-Furniture

When Le Corbusier speaks of the human function defining human needs, he is making a relatively obvious statement, but it is one that we need to be constantly reminded of.  Designers often get too caught up in appearances and forget what they are designing.  What is the purpose of the object?  What good is a decorative chair that is difficult to sit in?

Le Corbusier defines decorative art as a functional extension of ourselves.  The beauty of these tools comes from their ease of use and functionality.  

Clothes are an example of functional, decorative items. 

Journal 3: Decoratiove Art

“The Significance of Applied Art”-Hermann Muthesius

 Modern applied art are artistic, cultural, and economic. Now applied art despises all simulations and substitutes. It tries to be applying the principles of truthfulness and sound workmanship. No these day it hard to do. We are in a time that it a fast change style and appeal to the customer than the producer.

less than three is a commen text that our genertion is used to

“Manifesto of the Staatliche Bauhaus in Weimar” -Walter Gropius

     I think Walter saying that it not the importance of finishing, it the time and effort put it to it. Also he says not to separate artist and craftsman. Art is not a “profession”.

School in Germany that combined crafts and the fine arts

 “Type-Needs: Type-Furniture” -Le Corbusier

  "To search for the human scale, for human function, is to define human needs." (pg. 84)

     I think Corbusies saying that we as people make thing base on human needs and make it appealing to us “decorative art.”

Does it need to be this nice

Frank, Isabelle (editor) (2000). The theory of decorative art: An anthology of European and American writings 1750 – 1940. New York: Yale University Press.

Decorative Art

“The Significance of Applied Art" -Hermann Muthesius

Muthesius puts great importance on the artistic, cultural as well as economic elements of applied art. Artistic factors of applied art have changed over time reflecting the cultural developments. Some eras were influenced by past cultures and art forms. In previous historical times, art was to be viewed and enjoyed. In today's world, applied art tends to serve a purpose. They are not based on past works of art, they are new and original. Modern designers want function at the core of their piece of art. Muthesius states that the manufacturer must be involved and passionate about the new art movement. I feel that in today's society, designers and artists are developing new products and art that are better quality because they care about what they show the world and what society may think of their design. During the 19th century, manufacturers were more concerned about producing the art/product at a higher rate then the actual quality of the art. The economy plays a large part in producing art. I think that the creative elements of art should overpower the consumer side. We should appreciate the different levels of creativity that designers put forth in order for us to learn about several cultures and to learn about ourselves.

A chair with art incorporated into it

The Finished Product 

I think that the most important point that Walter Gropius is trying to make in “Manifesto of the Staatliche Bauhaus in Weimar” is that art is not always about the finished product but the time and effort you put into it while making the art. Working on any piece of art takes time. There are different factors to creating a building or art such as creating something as a whole or creating smaller pieces and then putting them together to create a larger work of art. According to Gropius "art is not a 'profession.' " Any career directed towards art relates back to craftsmanship. Designers must go through the design process of developing ideas and creating something and then starting over if it does not work.The Milan Cathedral took 579 years to build

Human Function Dictates Design

Le Corbusier's statement, "To search for the human scales, for human function, is to  define human needs" (p.84) means that the design of every product or building is based on humans. For example, a chair is designed with a back rest so humans do not develop back pain. Our hands are able to grip objects therefore the bottle and cup were invented. One does not know how a product will succeed in today's society without someone testing it out to see if it is suitable for the human race. 

Le Corbusier's definition of decorative art states  "To the tool-object, the human-limb, is now opposed the sentiment-object, the life-object." (p.85) This means that what was once originally developed to suit the function of a human could be adapted to appeal aesthetically. The materials used to build the product could also be changed to withstand years of use, making it a life time object.Easy drink water bottle. This is to make drinking water easier so we do not have to lean our neck back. It is also easier to fill up the water bottle at a drinking cooler or fountain.Chair with back support.

Works Cited

Frank, Isabelle (editor) (2000). The theory of decorative art: An anthology of European and American writings 1750 – 1940. New York: Yale University Press.

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