hannah

April 27, 2012

Blog III: Antiques Hunter - Yet Another Chair

the chaise longue in question

detail

The above is a chaise longue found on TradeMe under the listing "Italian Imported Chaise Lounge". Made by an unknown designer and manufacturer, all we know is that this chair is from Italy. A chaise longue, meaning “long chair”, is akin to a sofa, but usually with one armrest and backboard. The chaise was popularized in 19th Century France as the economy and the arts blossomed with magnificence. The bourgeoisie and royalty indulged in the arts, leisure and consequently, designed products. This period of economic and political stability allowed for the carefree atmosphere and thus the rest that was accommodated by the chaise longue. This chaise clearly reflects the rococo aesthetic as seen in the elegant rocaille, “gilding”, flower motif, fluid curvature and asymmetry. The upholstery is also very regal, with a golden rope pattern atop a satin-like, royal blue background. Although this chaise was probably manufactured within the last five years, it resurrects a style that has been around for centuries.

However, this item begs the question: is this stylization necessary? The chaise longue is a piece of furniture suitable for a myriad of social situations and needless to say, modern versions of it exist. For example, take the Onda Lounge Chair by Diego Granese:

It serves the same function yet uses different material and a whole new approach to achieve a completely different aesthetic. However, some suggest that the grandeur of rococo is still a symbol of status despite how the times have changed. Is rococo truly representative of elegance and high society? It is as designers and as consumers imperative that we consider the direction of society and culture. Will the pendulum of design always be in perpetual motion or are we heading towards a singularity in the near distant future?

Reference:

Jones, G. (2011). The Chaise Longue - A Classic Item of French Furniture [Webpage]. Retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Chaise-Longue---A-Classic-Item-of-French-Style-Furniture&id=6148658

Granese, D. (2003). 07.jpg [Image], Onda, Granese Architecture & Art Studio. Retrieved from http://www.granese-design.com/Images/Design/07.jpg

March 30, 2012

Blog II: Research Statement and Annotated Bibliography

I would like to conduct research in the field of the neoclassical design movement specifically with reference to the symbolism found in neoclassical architecture and design.

The following are possible sources appropriate for this research.

1. Book

Parissien, S. (2000). Palladian Style. London: Phaidon

This book explores the origins of Palladian style during the 18th Century through to Palladian revival in the 19th and 20 Centuries. This book focuses on architectural details and motifs found in Palladian structures. Palladian style is derivative of the the classical Greco-Roman architecture and is thus relevant to my research.

2. Scholarly Journal Article

Levine, J. M. (2002). Why Neoclassicism? Politics and Culture in Eighteenth-Century England. Journal for Eighteenth-Century Studies, 25 (1), 75–101. doi: 10.1111/j.1754-0208.2002.tb00245.x

This journal article is very useful and relative to my research topic as it outlines why designers, architects, artists and the general public were so interested in this style. It discusses the 18th century reasoning behind the rise of neoclassicism with reference to Greco-Roman history and the symbolism these rich cultures offered at the time.

3. Edited Book

Millon, H. A. and Nochlin, L. (Eds.). (1978). Art and architecture in the service of politics. Cambridge: MIT Press

The contents of this book range from political architecture from the Constantinian times through to modern times in the 20th Century. This book is suitable for this research topic as it shows the links between neoclassical architecture and its political significance it held within the neoclassical movement.

4. Website

National Gallery of Art. (2012). 18th and 19th Century France - Neoclassicism [Webpage]. Retrieved from http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/gg56/gg56-over1.html

This webpage belongs to the National Gallery of Art of the United States of America and this specific webpage outlines the precursor of the neoclassic movement. It suggests the symbolic relationship between the French Revolution and neoclassicism and would be useful in the research topic that I have chosen.

5. Image

Voronikhin, A. N., Scheibe, C., Naschon, I., Focht, C. and Schaschin, S. (1803)

New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (2000). Settee [Image], Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. Retrieved from http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/2007.368

This image is a very appropriate source for this research topic as it is a photo of a settee made in 1803 in the neoclassical style. It was made for the bedroom of Czar Alexander I of Russia and clearly has an aura of elegance and stateliness typically associated with the neoclassical movement.

Section: Process

Argh, bad quality image

Played around with scale, did cross-cuts and rip-cuts, happy with the final piece :)

March 29, 2012

Touch and Draw

Teapot drawn with a teapot using tea. TEACEPTION.

Individual Work

I chose to draw my mechanical pencil from Section into a 3-point perspective form. I was inspired by a photograph of the Rockefeller Center in New York and how the photographer used this specific angle to depict this architectural great.

the Rockefeller Center

Although this precedent image is not a technical drawing, I felt that it was appropriate for this task as this example illustrates the structural magnificence of the Rockefeller Center. This style is mainly used for buildings, but I decided to draw my pencil in this style as it monumentalizes this piece of stationery into something it is not.

At first glance, this drawing looks like a high-rise building and the scaling and angle enhance this effect. I chose not to render, hatch or shade my pencil as I wanted to have clean, neat lines that showcase the linear nature of the pencil itself.