ARTS AND CRAFTS
The Arts and Crafts movement developed in
the 1860s as a reaction against the increasing industrialisation and dark
tastes of Victorian Britain. The style was created from the views of
people such as William Morris (1834-1896). He was a poet and artist who relied
on simplicity and strong design. He believed that industrially manufactured
items lacked the honesty of traditional craft work. His views and opinions were
supported by the artist and influential social intellectual, John Ruskin
(1819-1900). As the movement grew in influence, architecture, furniture making
and the decorative arts began to display the simplicity and craft approach. The
goal was the create design that was "for the people and by the people, and
a source of pleasure to the maker and the user." Maintaining and
highlighting the natural qualities of the materials used to make objects was a
critical aspect of Arts and Crafts style. There was no excessive or unnecessary
decoration and the construction of the object was often revealed.
ART NOUVEAU
Art Nouveau (the 'new art') was a widely
influential but relatively short-lived movement that emerged in the final
decade of the 19th century. Art Nouveau was intended to modernise design,
seeking to escape the eclectic historical styles that had previously been
popular. The experts of Art Nouveau sought to revive good workmanship, raise
the status of craft and produce genuinely modern designs. The Art Nouveau was a
period of inspiration, creativity and adventure. Art Nouveau highlighted
handcrafting as opposed to machine manufacturing. Although curving lines characterise
Art Nouveau, right-angled forms were also typical. Typical subjects used were
lavish birds and flowers, insects and poly formic femme fatale. Art Nouveau
thrived in a number of European countries, many of which developed their own
names for the style. It was known in France as style "Guimard", after
the French designer Hector Guimard. In Italy as the "Stile Floreale"
(Floral Style) and in Germany as "Jugendstil".
ART DECO
The Art Deco period was very popular in
America and Europe in the 1920s and 1930s. It affected all areas of the arts
and was considered very elegant, glamorous, functional and modern. It quickly
became a popular style for interior decorating. Geometric and angular forms,
and linear decoration characterise Art Deco design. The look is strong and bold
with no fussiness or frilliness. The Art Deco movement is also characterised by
clean lines, streamlining and symmetry. This style combines some design elements
from ancient cultures with a modernist, machine age look. It has a very unique
look and has often been called "classic retro style". Materials such
as stainless steel, mirrors, glass and chrome were popular. Themes that occurred
regularly were leaves, feathers, trapezoids, nudes and stylised animals.
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