Art Nouveau Design Essay

Art Nouveau was an art and design movement that originated from 19^th century Western Europe till the First World War. Art Nouveau was a style that influenced a lot of media, from art to architecture and furniture because of its decorative and organic nature. (The History of Art Nouveau – Painting-Drawing-Artist Documentary, 2014)

The idea of this movement was born when British artists saw Japanese designs. At that time, Japanese art style was new and original for the British as well. Art Nouveau was a movement that was mainly inspired from nature itself. Thus, designers and artists relied on many organic forms and shapes, very decorative material and patterns and the sense of flow. Art Nouveau was also influenced from the arts and crafts movement as they focused a lot on the aesthetics of the object. Opposite to the arts and crafts movement, Art Nouveau designers were quite happy with mass production. (The History of Art Nouveau – Painting-Drawing-Artist Documentary, 2014)

Many Art Nouveau designers believed that the function of the object should follow and shape its form.

Art Nouveau design had two different styles, one that consisted more of organic and decorative style while that of German Art Nouveau consisted more of geometric forms and were less decorative than the organic ones. (Lecturer’s notes)

The Majolica House is a clear example of organic Art Nouveau design by Otto Wagner. At that time, Wagner was part of the Secessions movement and they mark a new and revolutionary way of enlightenment. Although the building itself is rectangular in shape, the flower patterns are a typical Art Nouveau style commonly found on other media such all wallpapers or in fashion. Seeing this amazing pattern as an exterior decoration of a building is quite original. The colourful pattern is also quite original and gives a sort of character to the building itself. One could see the same design on the metal railings as well. (Housing Prototype, The Majolica House)

The Altes Stadthaus is an example of German Art Nouveau designed by Ludwig Hoffmann. This building is less decorative then the Majolica House, as because German Art Nouveau was less decorative. The building consist of a lot of geometric forms but what I find interesting is the effect the shade cast on to the building itself. (Altes Stadthaus, 2014)

Although Art Nouveau disappeared before the First World War, today it is still being practiced by designers and artists because of its beauty. We can see these revivals in forms of art, in fashion, graphic design, and jewelry and even in furniture and architecture.

Here is a modern take on modern Art Nouveau architecture using wood. The architects manage to combine organic and geometrical shapes together to create this beautiful exterior. The vertical lines create an interesting effect because of the shadows while the flowness and continuity of the organic lines create a sense of “freedom”. What is also interesting is the contrast between the wood and the glass material as well.

Bibliography

1.) The History of Art Nouveau – Painting-Drawing-Artist Documentary, 2014 (video file), Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjy_XFUjSn0>. [Accessed 29 December 2014]

2.) Wolf, Art Nouveau, 2014, The Art Story, Available from: <http://www.theartstory.org/movement-art-nouveau.htm> [Accessed 29 December 2014]

Surrealism Art Essay

Surrealism is an art movement that originated from the Dadaism. Surrealism, in contrast of Dadaism, wanted to reestablish the strange, fun, imaginative and freedom of art itself. (The Life and Art of Salvador Dali – Discovery/History/Biography (documentary), 2014)

This movement consisted of strange paintings that manipulated everyday objects into a strange form. The founder of this movement is the French medical student and poet, Andre Breton in which he took inspiration from dreams as they symbolize the inner thought of one’s mind. During the early years of surrealism, it consisted more of a literary group until Italian paint “Giorgio De Chirico” filled the gap between romantic art and surrealism. (The Shock of the New – Ep5 – The Threshold of Liberty, 2014)

This painting by Giorgio De Chirico shows a similar dream like style of painting that is very common in surrealism. De Chirico wanted to show the torn world created because of World War 1 by using humanoid forms, destroyed architecture and dark, eerie streets. (Moma, The Song of Love) In my opinion the painting has a very interesting symbolist feel. The strange and out of the ordinary large object automatically attract the viewer and makes him ask questions because of the mysterious nature of the picture. Because of the mystery behind the picture, viewers would find it even more interesting as because we as humans, love and fear the unknown.

For surrealists such as Chirico’s student, Max Ernst, he believed that the irrational mind is the perfect source for this movement. Surrealist’s looks at three main sources such as the Children art they believed the innocent eye is not repressed as to that of adults. Madness and was also a large source for inspiration as surrealists believed this is the highest form of revoke to a tolerable world. The last source of the irrational was primitive art because of the “pure” look of the style. (The Shock of the New – Ep5 – The Threshold of Liberty, 2014)

During this movement, one of the most important figures of surrealism would be the Spanish painter, Salvador Dali. Dali’s work changed art during that time. He created paintings with illusions and often manipulated objects to appear somewhat differently; this method could be seen in the painting called “The Metamorphosis of Narcissus” were Dali converted Narcissus’ reflection into a hand holding an egg. Dali also was fascinated in “Double image” paintings as well. Dali commonly placed his inner memories, anxieties and sexual thoughts in his paintings. (The Life and Art of Salvador Dali – Discovery/History/Biography (documentary), 2014)

Persistence of Memory is considered as Dali’s most famous piece.  The painting shows a beach landscape in the background and 4 clocks melting in the foreground. Dali based this image from his home, Colombia. Dali wanted to show to confuse viewers of reality by painting small details on the decaying clocks. Some even say that the creature in the middle of the painting is a self portrait of Dali himself. (Moma, The Persistence of Memory)

Dali’s work ranged from paintings and fashion to even cinema. His work had a huge influence towards interior design because of the fun and original look they would have. Surrealism changed art even today. Interior designers still use surrealist style because of its fun and original nature. Surrealism painting is still in practice today and many contempory artists are influenced by Surrealism’s style, ideas and technique. (The Life and Art of Salvador Dali – Discovery/History/Biography (documentary), 2014)

Digital media is commonly used in contempory Surrealism art nowadays as it gives some advantages to easily manipulate pictures. An example for this could be seen in Saeed Khalifa’s surrealist gallery where he manipulates images together to create a dream-like image. (Artsy, Saeed Khalifa, 2014)

Bibliography

1.) The Life and Art of Salvador Dali – Discovery/History/Biography (documentary), 2014 (video file), Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GONauCKYj0s>. [Accessed 27 December 2014]

 2.) The Shock of the New – Ep5 – The Threshold of Liberty, 2014 (video file), <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0HeSrqXKps >. [Accessed 27 December 2014]

3.) Arcandilla, Surrealism and how it is Used Today, 2011. Available from: <http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/inspiration/modern-surrealism-and-history/>. [Accessed 27 December 2014]

4.) Saeed Khalifa, Rokn V (2014), Arty, 2015, Available from: <https://artsy.net/artwork/saeed-khalifa-rokn-v>. [Accessed 27 December 2014]