tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post821806526748575937..comments2024-03-17T03:42:21.277-05:00Comments on LEARNING CURVE ON THE ECLIPTIC: Arty Farty Friday ~ Raymond Loewy ~ Revolutionary DesignsTwilighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14138621610593773784noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-15839568925594851182012-11-17T08:44:11.136-06:002012-11-17T08:44:11.136-06:00mike ~ Interesting observations!
Art Deco and Art...mike ~ Interesting observations! <br />Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles are my own favourites - different as they are, I couldn't choose one above the other. I love to spot the odd art deco inspired structure on our trips - even defunct gas stations can often display a hint of art deco styling. Victorian style, in general, not as atteactive to me though. They tended to over-do things in furnishings and architecture - tipping into near ugliness at times.<br /><br />I grew up in '50s Britain. Some beautiful architecture<br />mercifully unscathed by the horror of World War 2 attacks remained of course, but on recovery sprang up some of those ugly blocky buildings you mention. They looked even worse among the older architecture than in a completely new environment.<br /><br />Europe and Britain have the advantage of a long history and background in art and architecture, but the USA has the advantage of diversity of wonderful landscapes and subtly varying cultures all accessible without borders and change of languages. As a comparative newcomer here, I find that equally as valuable, but yes, US architecture generally is pretty grim, apart from Frank Lloyd Wright's work and maybe some of the better skyscrapers.....mustn't forget those! :-)<br /><br />Twilighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14138621610593773784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-27004297280778839542012-11-16T20:31:19.482-06:002012-11-16T20:31:19.482-06:00I grew-up in the '50s, which seems to be when ...I grew-up in the '50s, which seems to be when modernism mushroomed. I remember thinking that I didn't truly care for the modernistic buildings from the 30s and 40s, or the cars, appliances, etc...everything was "blockish", but had smooth, rounded corners and edges. Then came my era...very blockish, rectangular, sharp edges. Cars grew fins that could kill...everything new seemed edgy and sharp. Split-level homes were hugely popular and looked like undecorated rectangles put together.<br /><br />All of those decades were an outgrowth of the "form follows function" of Louis Sullivan:<br />"It is the pervading law of all things organic and inorganic,<br />Of all things physical and metaphysical,<br />Of all things human and all things super-human,<br />Of all true manifestations of the head,<br />Of the heart, of the soul,<br />That the life is recognizable in its expression,<br />That form ever follows function. This is the law."<br /><br />R.Lowewy did not adhere to this principle and stated his philosophy as MAYA(Most Advanced Yet Acceptable) and developed products with good design with an eye on economy. <br /><br />I have always preferred the Art Deco, Art Nouveau, or Victorian styles, with the high degree of ornamentation, which is the antithesis of modernism. I'm not a function-only type of person.<br /><br />I was in awe at the buildings, streets, decorations, fountains, etc. of Europe when I toured. Almost all of Europe is eye-pleasing somehow, with form and beauty trumping function. Quite a contrast to the USA. Gardens and landscaping in Europe is like that, too...more flowing and natural feeling. Landscaping in the US appears industrial in contrast.<br /><br /><br /><br />mikenoreply@blogger.com