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Post Modernism

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     Moving on from modernism, Postmodernism emerged as an interior design style in the 1970s. The world of art and architecture was beginning to change. With its prime falling between 1970 and 1990, this new wave experienced its peak,  captivating the world of 1980’s. The traditions and assumptions that had sustained the world of design for nearly a century were pushed to their limits as new colors, textures and aesthetics came onto the scene. It was a strong rebellion against the minimalist concepts of modern design. It was an attempt to break free from the practical, muted, and often impersonal approach of modern design. The use of asymmetry increased during the postmodern period, while at the same time straight lines gave way to odd angles and uncertain shapes. The color palette also includes a mix of natural and retro shades like avocado, mustard, burnt orange, turquoise, and even metallic tones. Postmodern design embraces unique and different ideas with an emphasis on playful,

Modernism in America (part two)

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 As I explained in my pervious post, Modernism in America was a period post World War ||. Many European countries were still trying to recover from the war. Modernism started in Germany and France, then rapidly spread to the rest of the world. The 1950s saw a continuation and exploration of modernist principles and forms, and technological innovations played an important role. The ideas of the Bauhaus, and the designers who developed them, greatly influenced the beauty, functionality, and benefits of Modern design to the way we live and work. They push the limits of material, form and function in architecture, textile, and object design. This time period involved very iconic interior and furniture designers. It was the experimentation in future design because of the manufacturing processes. Modern materials included mold wood, plywood, and molded plastic. There was diversity in design and playfulness. Mid-century Modern included flat roofs, angular details, and asymmetrical profiles.

Modernism in America

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  Modernism was a period post World War ||.  Many European countries were still trying to recover from the war.  Modernism  started in Germany and France, then  rapidly  spread  to the rest of  the  world .  The 1950s saw a continuation and exploration of modernist principles and forms, and technological innovations played an important role.  Regions had to adapt  to the technological effects of automobiles, airplane travel, television, radio, telephones, telegraphs,  technicolor  movies . These were experienced as devices whose use became increasingly widespread. All areas of the globe were modern and produced their unique form of modernism.  It was a period of technological innovations.  Technologies will continue to affect design’s creation and reception.    World War ||  had  also  caused many Bauhaus designers to emigrate to Britain, to the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Kenya, and Japan.   The revolutionary German art and design  school  laid the foundations of Modernism.   Ba

The Rise of the Decorator

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During the Art Deco period, the Rise of the Decorators began in Paris.  The1925 L’Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes, World’s Fair in Paris was designed to highlight the new style moderne   of architecture, interior decoration, furniture, glass, jewelry and other decorative arts in Europe and throughout the world. World’s Fair fell into two distinct categories: Functionalists & Decorators. Functionalists “focused on function, form, theory and did not promote the excessive use of accessories or furnishings”. Decorators were “the ones who creates an ensemble, choses objects, combines objects and in doing so makes aesthetic choices.” This was a period of electric architecture and a need arose for design professions who could furnish interiors according to a particular period style and building they were housed in. This period helped the interiors of individuals who were wealthy and wanted their houses to reflect their status. There was a growing nee

Art Deco and Industrial Design

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Art Deco was during the period between the two World Wars. It originated in France and the made its way to the US and other European countries at the beginning of World War ||. It was a time of celebratory, and economical progress. Art Deco was all about moving away from the past and creating a new path for the future, culturally and aesthetically. This meant keeping some of the decorative elements but also giving them a sleeker, cosmopolitan twist. The movement grew out of the more decorative Art Nouveau period. Art Deco began to take off within the fashion and jewelry industries, which then began influencing furniture design. Some of the materials incorporated into the design movement were dark lacquered finished woods, shiny surfaces, decorative glass, geometric patterns handcrafted designs and mirrors. They also used a lot of high contrast color combinations, bold, moody, and deep colors which were then balanced by softer nudes. This was a fun, enduring, distinct, and exciting desi

The Emergence of Modernism

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  After World War 1, modernist designs continued, and artists and designers gradually started to explore new and diverse possibilities in materials, colors and shapes and started using postmodernist furniture in designs. They rejected past and historic designs and focused more on the advances of technology. New technologies included skyscrapers, automobiles, trains, and photography. This new technology provided the opportunity for mass production. Influential designers of this period would include Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe, and Le Corbusier. They guided towards a new direction of design. The international style is a major architectural style that  developed in Europe and the United States in the  1920s and '30s. These characteristics are common to Modernism with its artistic aspects. It is identified into three principles: 1) The expression of volume rather than mass,  2) The emphasis on balance rather than preconceived symmetry 3) The expulsion of applied orna

Protomodernism

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  Protomodernism was a movement that started just a little after the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movement. It began in 1897 and lasted through 1959. This movement was a significant experimentation of using new forms and ideas. The movement started in Munich Germany in 1892, and then made its way to Vienna Austria in 1898, then back to Berlin Germany in 1899. The Deutscher movement was founded by Hurman Muthesius. His purpose was to create “Design based on function thus came together with design based on the character of the material; and with respect for material went respect for the form of construction appropriate to that material. Function, material, and construction are the only imperatives that the modern artist-craftsman observes” This movement had influenced multiple designers such a Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius and Mies Van der Rohe. This development was equivalent to the Arts are Crafts movement with a protest against artistic establishments. Unlike the Arts and Crafts mov