Art Nouveau

 In the 1800’s Europe was in a period of peace and prosperity. Architects and other designers started focusing on new and experimental direction in design. They started rejecting academic models of history and started using nature as their inspiration, uniting them with other fine arts. Flowers, vines, birds were popular forms of nature used in their designs. As well as materials such as iron and glass. Art Nouveau means “New Art” and the most visible motif during this period was “whiplash”. “Whiplash is an ornamental curve that was very decorative, helped display movement throughout a space.  

One step further

Antoni Gaudi is my favorite interior designer of this time. The way he includes oriental art in his designs is very unique. but I especially liked when he became more organic with his curvature in the walls and ceiling.  Specifically, the Casa Bastllo building, it seems like a fantasy world almost with the illusions through the twists and arches. I like the idea of having the walls and the ceilings showing movement therefore making the interior a piece of art. That idea Is something I would want to bring about in my future designs as a modern, simple, statement. I wouldn’t be as decorative as Antoni was with the glass and glazed ceramic tiles. Such as the image of the hallway with just a table sitting there, reflecting that feeling, it is so powerful with how it sets in the space. 





Current applications

1. The picture below is an example of a current application of the art Nouveau style. It includes curves and linear shapes that reflect nature like branches and stylized flowers. The stair railing reflects nature and is unique iron and hardware, similar to Victor Horta’s designs. This interior also includes textured wallpaper, reflecting the numerous wallpapers and textile designs that were frequently appear in this style.



2. In this example is shows how ornamental and decorative this style. The arts and Crafts movement compared to Nouveau were similar in the way of valuing craftsmanship with wood furniture but art nouveau included more technological advances and where through manufacturing they could mass-produce products. I have noticed some similarities between art nouveau and neoclassicism, with the boldness, and more royal, lavish, or more expensive taste. Because of their ornate details in texturing through paneling, crowning, railing, etc



3. For my last example, you recognize art nouveau characteristics in less obvious ways. One thing that stood out to me that reflects it, is the prints on the walls. They reflect Japanese motifs, that were a common thing seen with nouveau designs. 



Comments

  1. Professor VanderNoordaaFebruary 2, 2022 at 8:40 AM

    Dezaray,
    Thank you for your blog entry this week. Your summary of Art Nouveau was a great start. There was more important material that need to be added to create a complete and interesting summary.
    Antoni Gaudi was a great designer to research further. Your first current example was very strong showing curvilinear staircase and light fixture. The next two examples were not very strong as far as showing the qualities of Art Nouveau. Total Points 35/50.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Meaghan Di PietroFebruary 2, 2022 at 12:20 PM

    Dezaray, I really enjoyed your blog this week. I especially loved your section about designer Antoni Gaudi, his work is really interesting and creative, and I thought he was a great choice. I especially loved your current application, the image of the swirled staircase reminded me so much of the door image in the Antoni Gaudi, that was a really cool comparison.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Blog #6 Art Deco

Image
 Throughout history, we see a back and forth with design and styles. One style comes out, let’s take the emergence of modernism, and then art deco is the next one because someone somewhere didn’t like the idea of no ornamentation and decoration. Which is the same thing that happened before, from Victorian to arts and crafts, or Art Nouveau to protomodernism. In art deco, there was that same tension between functionalists and decorators. Functionalists valued function, simplicity, and mass production. Whereas decorators valued labor-intensive craftsmanship, and elite market, with elaborate designs. Art deco was largely influenced by fashion oriental styles and art nouveau, meaning it was more decorative. One of the most common patterns became very popular including zigzags and chevron. Light fixtures that complemented modern materials, as well as large mirrors, were elements commonly displayed in this style.  One Step Further: One of the popular art deco architects was Michel...
Read more

Modernism in America Part 1

Image
 The modernism movement started in Germany and France and spread after World War 2. Many of the founders of this movement fled from European countries to Britain or America due to the wars. Before the war, modernism was theoretical and idealistic but changed after the war and became more practical, like how it is today. Modernism in America featured poured concrete with cast geometric ornament that included elaborate terraces and gardens. One of the most successful houses during this period was the Millard house, which included concrete blocks cast with decorative patterned faces and repeated patterns. There are many influential architects from this period, one of them being Rudolph Schindler.       One step further: Rudolph Schindler determined that architecture provides the structure, space, and design for interior spaces. He saw that architecture and interior design go hand and hand and wanted a compositional design throughout the structure, creating continuity....
Read more

Rise of the Decorator/ History of Women in Interior Design

Image
 In 1900 a need arose for interior decorators, because of the eclectic architecture that lacked on that area. Interior decorators would add accessories, art, and furniture to create a cohesive interior aesthetic. Elsie de Wolfe was the first woman to pursue interior decorating by rebelling against Victorian interiors by creating bright spaces with French furniture. Wolfe made interior design become a separate entity from architecture. She valued comfort, beauty, and quality lighting. Some of her methods and materials she most commonly used were French furniture, the addition of animal prints on upholstery, and her interiors were inspired by nature, especially gardens. Wolfe not only separated interior design from architecture but has a style of how she decorated and created a way for women to enter the interior design profession. This was a difficult thing because like most professions it was difficult for women to be a part of one, especially in the world of design. In 1925 Doroth...
Read more