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

Art In So Many Thoughts

Below is a summary of what I have learned from studying the thoughts and points of view from the early decorative arts.

Hermann Muthesius

Artistic, Cultural, and Economic

 Applied art was work that was based on pieces from the past. Artists were taking ideas and recreating them to their modern style. Culture also plays a role in how designers create their pieces. Over the years art has changed throughout times of history. Art is different thoughtout the world based on where it is from. Culture has also affected the economic status of art. In our world today we want things faster and more common like everyone else's. This has led to mass production which can create more pieces, but also lower the value of art.

Walter Gropius

Bringing Back Design

I feel that Walter is trying to say that architects, designers, and artists are too worried on just completing a project rather than taking the time to actually come up with new designs and to expand our imagination. Today, we are not paying attention to the details that once created the best architecture. We are too worried about just doing a project  instead of taking the time to really learn to be creative and become the best designers that we can be.

 

The Pantheon

Le Corbusier

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

I feel that the phrase above means that everything is made to please mankind. We must understand humans first to understand the purpose behind the decorative arts. In the article Corbusier compared objects to human limbs. He talked about how cupped hands influenced the design and purpose of bottles. I agree with Corbusier. I feel that objects are made to please us humans. We are selfish creatures that everything created is based upon our own wants and desires.

 

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

These articles were written by 20th century designers/architects who thought that design was evolving in many different aspects and for many different reasons. Each have their own idea about the effects of design and how or what design should be applied.

Herman Muthesius: The Significance of Applied Art

Herman Muthesius addresses the significance of applied art in three different This image is an example of mass customization. aspects; artistic, cultural, and economic.

The significance of applied art in terms of applied art being artistic is it's origin. Applied art simply started out by being expressive. Although expressive in nature, people were looking in the past for ideas. Everything that was being produced had a reference to something previously made.

The cultural significance of applied art is more practical to our lives. The design of the things  we use everyday have changed because our cultural expectations have changed from when they were first designed and redesigned. New items/utensils are being created due to new uses being discovered and out of need for daily productivity Its the evolutionary aspect to applied art.

 Economically, the significance of applied art lies in monetary value. Today, mass production is almost necessary to make any kind of profit. This also means that structural integrity or the tectonics might be compromised.

Today, I believe that applied art has influencesfrom all three significant aspects making customization desirable. Mass customization has become extremely popular and contrary to belief, can be done fairly cheap.

Walter Gropius: Manifesto of the Staatliche Bauhaus in Weimar

The most important point that Walter Gropius is making is that no matter This is an image of a cieling/lighting fixture designed by Gaudi. Gaudi made is architecture interesting before embelishments were applied.how many embelishments, ornaments, paint colors, textures, floor coverings, or veneers you have on a building it doesn't improve the building itself. Basically he is stating that a pig is still a pig no matter how many times you give it a bath. The structure and inherent design is the most important aspect of any kind of architecture. Without the forethought of design at the begining stages of a building, the building is simply just a building, not architecture, and certainly not a work of art.

Le Corbusier: Type-Needs:Type-Furniture

Le Corbusier's meaning of his quote, "to search for the human scale,This is an image of collectible spoons. Although spoons are still a necessity in life, they now also serveas a luxury item. for human function, is to define human needs" lies in the fact that all humans have the exact same primative needs, there for linking us all together in the need to make things to suppliment our lives including tools and clothing. In order to apply the things we make, we must consider human scale to make then funtionable. Considering the fact that poeple's body types are different including height, weight, and even disabilities, the human scale needs to be modified for each individual. This modification is not only a nessesity, but also can cross the border into the aestetics realm taking on the role of decorative art.

Le Corbusier's definition of decorative art is something that was once a nessesity is now, in todays culture and economy, is simply an object holding sentimental value or aesthetics.