Chapter 13: The Influence of Modern Art

This chapter was one of my favorites that we’ve read so far. I have always been interested in learning more on the modern art movements. Before the movements came, there was much change occurring around the world. As said in the previous chapter, at the turn of the century, there was a new desire for brand new designs and typefaces. Organic, curvilinear styles were basically thrown to the side as rectilinear, abstract forms were wanted. Along with this, World War I was about to begin, in 1914, and much confusion—economically, politically, socially, and culturally—was felt throughout the world. Cars, airplanes, movies, and radios were just being introduced. As there was a growth in science and technology, there was much progress in business and trade. Cubism was an art movement that was started by Pablo Picasso and George Braque. Paintings and collages were the basis of their work. The work was comprised of fragments of perceptions of a subject. After perceiving a subject from as many different viewpoints as they could, each view was portrayed in a collage, leaving a geometric, abstract piece of art. The collage consisted of materials from the specific subjects they were portraying and were glued to a painting, leaving a two-dimensional form. This left the cubists with endless amounts of possibilities. Futurism was interesting, for it was an art movement that involved type, and the produced work closely resembles contemporary graphic design. Filippo Marinetti was the founder of this movement; many interesting futurism aspects were brought forth. There was a need to portray speed, energy and noise into their artwork. They were very interested in the war and wanted to incorporate modern everyday life. An interesting addition to design was typography; letterforms were becoming part of images and ornament and eventually began to be used as a way to create form. Poems were expressed by the way the words and letters were placed on the pages. There were no specific margins, for letters and shapes were basically thrown into the compositions. New ideas were only accepted; originality was very important within this group of artists/designers. Dadaism was another art movement; this group actually did not want to be called an art movement since they were anti-art. Their purpose was to pursue freedom. Society was insane because of the occurring war and other destruction going on in the world. Marcel Duchamp is a Dadaist who is most known of. In order for Dadaists to grab the attention of society to prove a point, they took already-made objects and altered them. Although much of their artwork was not seen as attractive, it did not matter because they only wanted to find the best way to grab the attention of viewers—something they definitely did. The Dadaists rebelled; they were in total pursue of freedom and world peace. Because of their work holding so much emotion and meaning, this art movement inspired graphic design. Typography was also used in their artwork. Surrealism was an interesting art movement, for illustrations were created of thoughts and feeling. Realistic characteristics were contributed, yet the entire situation was fantasy and dream-like. Proper perspective, color, and figures were taken into account, but scale and gravity were not. Andre Breton was the man who founded this movement, and he claimed that surrealism was meant to express thoughts with the absence of all control. Viewers were very interested in their work, and much surrealism is seen within artwork and designs today. Expressionism was another early modern art movement. Color and line were exaggerated in the artwork. It was important for emotions to be conveyed. Their main focus was on the poor and social outcasts, and conditions of people and the environment. Two subgroups of expressionism included The Bridge and The Blue Rider. The Bridge created work with emotion through the use of thick, strong stokes and bold statements. The Blue Bridge did not use subjects matters; instead, the spiritual nature of people was expressed through color, line and line. Within some of these movements, the use of typography was important. Photography soon was an important aspect of modern work. Many new styles of art and art movements were formed afterwards up until this day.

The most interesting thing I learned while reading this chapter was how the Dadaists did not want to be seen as artists. It’s kind of funny because their work actually inspired other artists. Meaning was expressed through their work in order to convey something important to the public. For them, what they created did not have to look pretty, for all they wanted was to really draw people in so that they could get their points across. Basically, Dadaists stood opposite against what art stood for. For example, if art was meant to appeal to senses, Dadaists chose to offend. Overall, I really enjoyed reading on this movement because they had an unexpected mind-set.

Were all of the following art movements and styles, up to this day, influenced by the early modern art movements?

Day Thirteen: After Class

The topic during this class was chapter twelve on the genesis of modern art.

This chapter was presented well, although the presenter was not feeling well. Art Nouveau was a short art movement as the turn of the century came. Many new changes were to occur in the world, including World War I. People were wanting new designs and typography that was not ornamental and organic. Geometric, rectilinear abstract compositions were beginning to form. A specific horizontal and vertical grid was used in order to keep correct dimensions. New desings for architecture were introduced with more space between the rooms. For example, according to the presenter, there was a huge spacial area with the kitchen and livingroom connected; this allowed people in the kitchen to interact with others in the livingroom.

The most interesting thing I learned was how the architecture was designed during this time. New ideas were being used, with space being a main focus. Most homes today are designed that way, including mine. I never really thought about how the design of architecture developed throughout time. It is interesting.

Why did the Ver Sacrum have pages with such strange dimensions?

Image Five

I was completely drawn to this image when I first saw it because it is so mysterious and fastasy-like. I wanted to find an image that would relate with surrealism, and I think this contemporary piece relates well with this art movement. I found the image online at neosurrealismart.com, among a variety of other interesting contemporary graphics. I was really impressed with the idea of turning a chess board into a body of water. I took a computer art course in the past where we had to create an interesting design with a chessboard -- very similar to this image. I turned mine into a wooden tabletop with bowls and plates of food placed on top of it. So, after working for weeks on the chessboard project, chess boards seem to really stand out when I see them. I believe the function of this image is to give off a specifc feeling for the viewers. Also, it may have just been created for visual interest -- I think it is fun to look at. My mind begins to sort of go off into fantasy land; ideas and stories begin to mold while seeing such an unrealistic setting, although the the objects look very realistic. In my opinion, the artist did a great job with digitally incorporating fantsasy with the realistic-looking objects. The quality of the artwork is great. All of the space is used, atmospheric perspective and accurate proportions are present as a sense of depth is perceieved. Specific textures are used for each object. Although the ship is very tiny in comparison with the chessboard, the overall image is pleasing because the chess board becomes the land and water, The fog surrounding the ship also adds depth to the composition; it runs off the left side of the image, along with the water, giving the idea that the chess board is part of a an even larger body of water. The dark colors in the background set a mysterious mood. It sort of looks like the chessboard is floating in a dark, dreary sky. Overall, this image relates with class since we have approached early modern art, with Surrealism being an early twentieth-century art movement.

Chapter Twelve: The Genesis of Twentieth Century Design

I thought this chapter was interesting, for it was the transformation of art nouveau and 19th century art into modern, 20th century art. With it being the turn of the century, change in design was desired. A new form of expression was wanted, along with the addressing of social, economic, cultural conditions. Frank Lloyd Wright was a man who’s work evolved from organic and curvilinear to rectilinear. This American influenced the work of many other designers, especially Europeans. “The Four” was a group of two women and two men designers who also helped with the evolution of design. They also carried out the rectangular, geometric designs. Bold, simple lines with flat planes of color were included in their work. The females of the group tended to create dream and fantasy-like compositions. People were created to look more abstract, and this was not accepted by many people. The Vienna Succession was a group of artists from Vienna; workshops were started, which became popular, but only lasted until the time of the Depression in 1932. Linear and geometric lines/shape became important design elements during this time. A repetition of simple shapes was used. Peter Behrens was a man who wanted to help with the change of type. The first type that he created was Behrenschrift, which was universal and successful. Many did not accept this type because of the curvy, feather-like characters. Behrens was known as “the first industrial designer”. He created designs for products and became interested in architecture; his ideas made an impact on future architecture developments. J. L. Mathieu Lauweriks came up with an interesting grid system for his work. A square was drawn outside of a circle and geometric proportions and dimensions were discovered. With the proper proportions, this system was eventually used with designing buildings, objects and graphics. With the German Association of Craftsmen in 1907, machines became accepted and useful; form and meaning could be incorporated into their designs. Behrens ended up incorporating harmony and proportion with manufacturing and technology. Brehens-Antiqua was a new great type created by Behrens, which became universal and could be distinguished from every other text. During the last decade of the 1800s, the first Underground Railroad was created in London. Frank Pick was essential to the design and type of the signs placed in the subways. A sign with a blue bar, red circle and white text was developed and was so successful that it is still seen today. This sign was created by Edward Johnston, one who was a model for international design. In Germany, Austria and Scotland, Art Nouveau ended as there was a desire for spiritual and societal needs. Inventive space and form was used, which became the foundation for design in the new century.

The most interesting thing I learned was how a new art style was developing as a new century was beginning. Art Nouveau really did not last a long time, and I believe that it was because of the desire for a new design and expression. I think it is interesting how the design ideas evolved so quickly from the organic, ornamental, curvilinear compositions to being rectilinear, geometric, and simple with thick outlines of forms and flat planes of color. I think that this chapter really was a great and interesting explanation of the evolution from art nouveau to modern art. Over the past week I was wondering how and why modern art was formed so rapidly into the new century since I am presenting on early modern art; I now have a better understanding of the sudden changes.

What inspired Behrens to create feather-like type? After seeing it, I noticed how interesting and original it appeared.

Day Twelve: After Class

In Amanda's blog, she asked, "Why did the art nouveau movement last such a short amount of time when other design influences seem to have lasted so much longer up until this point?" 

While reading chapter twelve, on the genesis of twentieth century design, it was mentioned that at the turn of the century, there was a desire for change in design. It makes sense that the art nouveau movement did not last very long because it began at the very end of the nineteenth century as soon as the turn of the century was taking place. New ideas were being introduced as organic/floral forms were being replaced with rectangular layouts. The rectangular structure was taking place of the curvilinear elements as geometric style became very important. The compositions were beginning to consist of circles, squares and rectangles; elements were aligned vertically and horizontally to give the compositions balance, harmony and unity. These new ideas/designs became popular and some of the works looked like forerunners of modern art, a new era soon to come.

Chapter 11: Art Nouveau

In chapter eleven, more major changes took place. It was first mentioned how Europe and America were influence by China and that China was influenced by them. Art Nouveau was a new movement that took place after the Victorian Era and before early modern art came; it consisted of decorative designs which became a part of everyday life, beginning in Paris. Many interesting Japanese artists influenced art nouveau in the way that they incorporated new elements to their designs and depicted everyday life. Art Nouveau was influenced by many styles of art, including: Celtic design, Rococo style, the Arts and Crafts Movement, Japanese decoration, Ukiyo-e woodblock prints, European paintings. Ukiyo-e meant “pictures of the floating world”; it was a form of art where screen paintings were decorative and realistic. Art Nouveau used many symbols throughout the artwork. Birth, life, growth, death, and decay were all represented, and there was some confusion and contradictions as to the meaning behind them. Did the expressions stem from the late 1800s? or were the expressions meant to be spiritual, aesthetic, and against materialism? Cheret was an artists who created large posters with simple designs. He experimented with techniques such as scratching, splattering and watercolor. In his work, he depicted women smoking, drinking, wearing low-cut dresses—all ways in which they were not expected to behave. Grasset enjoyed medieval and exotic art; his work reflected these interests. He designed posters and was a competitor of Cheret. His advertisements included women. In England, people focused on illustration and graphic design. Periodicals were used to help spread around the artwork. Aubrey Beardsley was an interesting artists, for he began creating art by using exotic and black and white imagery. He also distorted human figures and Morris disliked his grotesque designs. England actually banned his work. Beardsley eventually developed a more naturalistic style. Many other artists during this time created work that consisted of curves, light, fanciness, symbols, flat planes, forms, vivid color, abstraction, and decoration. Alphonse Mucha was one to create plant-like decorative backgrounds; his compositions were unrealistic and the hair he designed resembled spaghetti. Art Nouveau was passed on to America through newspapers and magazines—the top three being Harper’s, Scribner’s and Century. The designs for Harper’s magazine included people interestingly reading Harper’s magazine. It was humorous and a great idea—it lured people into buying it.

The most interesting thing I learned was how people used Harper’s magazine cover as a way to entice people to buy it. The designs were very creative with the use of vivid color and being influenced by French posters—which had interesting designs with the mixing of text and imagery. On the magazine covers, people were depicted reading the actual magazine. I thought the idea was pretty cool because I see the idea used for modern magazine covers and it entices me to want to buy it. I liked the cover for July with the oblivious woman lighting fireworks because she is so captivated by Harper’s magazine.

The book mentioned that a man named Baron Victor Horta may have started the movement of Art Nouveau. Did he?
What happened to Ethel Reed??

Image Four

The image that I found looks like an advertisement for Romeo and Juliet from the Art Nouveau time period. The woman looks rambunctious and seductive as she has her head turned toward the viewer. She is animated as her long curled hair spirals and flows horizontally in the composition. The entire composition reminds me of Mucha’s poster (image 11-33 in Megg’s History of Graphic Design) as the woman’s hair looks very similar—like spaghetti. Also, the backgrounds of the two compositions are similar in the way that they look like stained-glass and are very intricately detailed. The typography in the design I found reminds me of the Celtic style. This image was from a Photoshop contest for Art Nouveau Mucha Style at photoshoptalent.com. I was drawn to this image because of the pose and expression on the girl's face and the curvy, flow-like style of the composition. I love the decoration around the border; it has a delicate, nature look to it because of it being so intricately detailed. The color is beautiful; I love how the background is comprised of cool colors with the form of the woman being a scarlet red. This really helps add depth to the composition. Also, the woman grabs the attention of viewers as she sort of pops out. Even the detailed stone-looking background is interesting. It reminds me of stained glass. I love this composition because was created to resemble Alphonse Mucha’s work of the Art Nouveau style. The Art Nouveau style was interesting because it was period that came after the Victorian Era and before the introduction of modern art. This image relates with what we have been covering in class because we have just covered the Victorian Art period, and moving into the period of Art Nouveau.