Blog assignment 2 (Beauty and Utility)

A Duncan Phyfe Empire table (New Orleans Auctions, 2007), complete with winged figures, carved columns, gilding and paw feet.

The image is taken from: http://rarevictorian.com/2009/06/empire-furniture-isnt-always-empire-furniture.html

 Beauty & Utility

In The Grammar of Ornament (1856) Owen Jones argued that, “Construction should be decorated. Decoration should never be purposely constructed.” In my opinion it means that the design object should first of all be useful and not over decorated. The ornament or any other type of decoration should not interrupt the structure. It should be just a supportive element, not a separate independent object. The first picture shows an example of “decoration constructed”. The angel-shape harps are elements of the table structure. Used instead of normal legs they don’t let the table top fall down. As well as paw feet.

Personally I support Owen Jones’ idea and I think it’s right, but I cannot fully agree with his statement. In that design argument I would sit on the fence. I do agree that design is not only about aesthetics, but also about functionality. On one hand things are constructed in such way that they look beautiful but their beauty damages their functionality that makes them useless and inconvenient. According to Jones (1856), Pugin was convinced that that kind of random unsystematic decoration, appeared as the result of greed and self-interest. On the other hand design is all about creativity and cannot be bounded by such strict rules. Sometimes decoration should be closely intertwined with construction, otherwise it will not implement the idea of the author.

References: Jones O., 1856, Design,Society, and Standarts

Blog assignment 2 (Continuing Curve)

Chippendale Rococo Mirror, 1762. 

Fine rococo carving, with flowers, leaves, bullrushes and birds.

The image is taken from: http://www.furniturestyles.net/european/english/mid-georgian.html

 

I believe that the existence of the Continuing Curve in design is a consequence of ” sensuous impulse” which is according to P. Hunter-Stiebel is a “human desire to appeal the senses with a softened form. The trend of using curved lines in design reached it’s peak in Rococo  in the middle of 18^th century period from 30^th to 70^th, which was the time when people were pleased with  soft undulating feminine forms, inspired by nature. They were surrounded by expensive over decorated furniture and everyday things, Shouting about their wealth, designed following the S-curve in their soft shapes and smooth surfaces.

A historical example of the “Continuing Curve” could be a Chippendale Rococo Mirror, 1762, you can see on the picture above. It is decorated a lot with natural shapes and carving such as flowers and birds. It looks quite expensive pointing out it’s owner’s wealth and daring taste.

 Wiggle Chair by Fank Gehry 1972

The image is taken from: http://www.furniturefashion.com/2009/02/10/the_wiggle_chair_cardboard_furniture_from_frank_gehry_and_vitra.html 

 

Finally, as can be seen on the second picture, two centuries later the “Continuing curve” finds it’s reflection in the Wiggle Chair designed by quite famous postmodern designer Frank Gehry in 1972. The S-curve and the softness of the shape can be clearly seen in that work, however the chair doesn’t seem to look extravagant, the material and the style are very different and innovative.

 

Blog assignment 1 (An important item of design)

Picture frame.

 Nobody knows exactly where and when was the first frame invented and who designed it. One of the earliest examples was a wooden frame which was enframing fayum mummy portrait Egyptian tomb dating back to 2nd century A.D. Even though frame was designed a long time ago it is still commonly used everywhere around the world. Famose artists are framing their masterpieces enhance it while ordinary people use frames to decorate their pictures and photos and hang it on the walls of their houses. despite the fact that the usual frame itself does not worth a fig and hardly would be an object of anyone's interest, it completely changes the impression people get when they look at the picture it's enframing. Well-matched frame can support the impression the effect of the picture and add a particular style to it. Finally framed mirror is able to create a special mood to a person looking at it.