Protomodernism

 Protomodernism was a rejection of ornamentation and historical styles. The Deutscher Werkbund Movement was a large part of proto modernism it brought about many influential designers and architects like Mies Van Der Rohe, Le Corbusier, and Walter Gropius. It wanted to mass-produce the highest quality designs embracing the usage of machinery. There was also the Vienna secession which was an advancement in art, history, psychology, and philosophy. There is an exhibition building in Vienna that is symbolic of the proto-modern period. This building was designed by Joseph Olbrich, who is the co-founder of the Vienna movement, and this building was a solemn but festive design.  Another famous architect, Otto Wagner, was a part of the Vienna succession and he believed in staunch functionalism and ended up writing a book called “Modern Architecture”. Otto Wagner was talented in many ways as a writer, designer teacher, urban planner, and architect he even designed furniture to relate to his architecture. Both Vienna succession and Werkbund are influenced by Bauhaus designers.

One step Further:

Out of all the incredible architects and designers that influenced proto-modernism, I really liked Gerrit Reviteld because of his unique, geometric, furniture designs and his modern architecture. His Steltman chair in particular stood out to me, It is such a bold but minimal and simplistic statement. Revised also complimented his interior design and architecture style with his furniture. He designed a side table and the red and blue chair, that fits perfectly with his Schroder House, which just brings the design throughout every part and creates overall continuity. His architecture is so inspiring as well, I like how he focused on a functionalism and flexible floor plan as well as including the environment, bringing the inside out vice versa. Throughout his interior and exterior, he used primary colors which I thought was very interesting. It wouldn’t be my personal preference, because I love earthy and neutral colors, but the way he organized the colors separated the interior spaces and gave those spaces and objects purpose. His colors also created a brighter feeling whereas some more current modern interior designs get too stark. 

 

 







Current Applications:

1. This image shows the beginning of protomodernism when there were more neutral color schemes and the method of construction is the style. It shows metalwork and is more industrial. This was also before Gerrit Reiteld, who focused on adding bold colors. There isn’t any ornamentation, and if so, it is functional. Its floor plan is also flexible and more open which is practical as well. It has very slick lines, both horizontal and vertical. There isn’t any design that is influenced by nature, no curvature or movement.


2. This image is more similar to Gerrit Reiteld, later in the protomodern period. It focused on neutral tones with pops of primary colors which brings more of an emotional feeling. There is still an obvious focus on elementary shapes, no curves just straight geometric lines. 

 


3. Lastly, inspired and started by Frank Lloyd Wright brought the prairie style, this is where the interior was focused on family and community. You can see the fireplace being the center of the home.  There are also nature-inspired colors, with the only ornamentation or detail being brick, stone, and banded windows and exposed wood focusing on organic architecture. Its purpose is to be elongated horizontal lines that blend with its natural landscape. 



Comments

  1. Meaghan Di PietroFebruary 11, 2022 at 12:28 PM

    Dezaray,
    Your blog was really great, I loved that you chose to study Gerrit Reiteld. You did a great job looking into his use of geometric shapes within his designs. I also enjoyed that in your modern applications you mentioned which designers these modern designs were inspired by. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Professor VanderNoordaaFebruary 15, 2022 at 1:47 PM

    Dezaray,
    This is an excellent summary of the ProtoModernism movement. I appreciate your description of the Deutscher Werkbund, the Vienna Succession and all of the wonderful designers who came forth from these movements.
    Gerritt Reitveld is one of my favorite designers, I was so fortunate to be able to visit the Schroder House and see his amazing furniture. His Steltman chair is brilliant!
    I thought your three current application examples were well done and showed various aspects of this movement. Total Points: 50/50.

    ReplyDelete

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