Homework #5

Adolfo Hohenstein and Alphonse Mucha

            During the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s, graphic art was changing. Most graphic arts were now focused on Art Nouveau. These designs included natural forms and structures. With the use of curved lines, the viewer could see the influence from plants and flowers. Graphic artists Adolfo Hohenstein and Alphonse Mucha were few of the many artists that made incredible contributions to this art form.

            Adolfo Hohenstein was a German painter, illustrator and advertiser born in 1854.  His many poster illustrations and advertisements made him stand out as the father of Italian poster art and Italian Art Nouveau. His use of bright colors and curvilinear lines, have a way of drawing the viewer in to his art. Interestingly enough, Hohenstein actually started his career off as a costume designer in Italy.  In his many poster designs, one can see his attention to detail for the clothing he drew. He died in 1928, yet left behind a legacy with his amazing designs. Many artists looked up to his Art Nouveau work.

            Artist Alphonse Mucha was born in Czechoslovakia in 1860. He was best known for his Art Nouveau paintings and decorative art. Mucha produced many paintings, illustrations, advertisements and even postcards during is life. Many of his artworks featured young women in flowing robes, encased in flowers. Mucha usually used pale pastel colors in these detailed designs. He even spent many years of his life working on twenty huge paintings. These paintings showed the story of the Czech and Slavic people. Once Mucha died in 1939, his art style was considered outdated. Yet in the 1960’s many of his pieces came back in style.

           Both Mucha and Hohenstein brought very different art to the Art Nouveau style. While Mucha focused on women and whimsical designs, Hohenstein preferred detailed story-like designs. Both men changed the way art was viewed during this time and left behind incredible designs for future generations.

 Alphonse Mucha 1902

 Alphonse Mucha 1899

Alphonse Mucha 1860

          

 Adolfo Hohenstein 1900

 Adolfo Hohenstein 1900

Adolfo Hohenstein 1927

Homework #4

The Genesis of Twentieth- Century Design

            As the nineteenth century came to a close, the twentieth century brought a new life to the past Victorian designs.  Art nouveau changed the idea that designs from this period should be copies of other forms from the past or from nature. The art nouveau designs addressed many social, economic and cultural changes during the turn of the century.

            Artist Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect who began using organic designs in many of his building designs, while inspiring many artists around the world.  Other artists like Charles Rennie Mackintosh also made notable contributions to art nouveau. Mackintosh focused more on the design of objects and interiors. Yet, he focused on tall and thin rectangular shapes in his works.

            The Vienna Secession began after a clash between tradition and the new ideas movement in France. This was a countermovement to the floral art nouveau designs that flourished across Europe. The Vienna Secession focused more on flat shapes, greater simplicity in designs and included a hint of geometry. Yet the art form deteriorated after 1910.

            Peter Behrens made many contributions to the typographic reform of the 19^th century. He was highly interested in the sans-serif designs in typography and created many different typefaces. He used geometric forms and used grids that began with geometric patterns as the basic structure. Behrens helped play an important role in the creation of high-quality design in manufactured goods and architecture. Behrens designed industrial products as well, and became known as the first industrial designer.

            These simplistic designs had an impact on the design of the London Underground railway system. With sans-serif typography and simple designs, the sign stood out against all the urban clutter. The design was so successful, that it is still used today.

            The change of design from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century broke the mold of art nouveau and sparked new design directions that focused on personal and social needs. These designs brought a new functionality to graphic design.

                                                                 Mackintosh 1902

                                                                   Behrens 1910

Behrens 1907

Palm Springs Art Museum (extra credit)

This week, I was able to visit the Palm Springs Art Museum. It was great to be able to go through the museum and look at the many different works of art displayed. I found a few sculptures and paintings that really caught my attention. One of my favorites, was a graphic that was an underwater scene. The piece looked like it was a man fighting a shark, but I found the use of graphics and typography intriguing. It always inspires me as an artist, to see other artists work. I feel that seeing other art designs and forms also has a relation to graphic art and design. 

Homework #3

Arts and Crafts Movement

            In England, during the nineteenth century, the Arts and Crafts movement had the momentum to revive the increasing decline in book production.  William Morris and John Ruskin were both influential to the revival of the movement.  The works produced during this time were mainly two-dimensional patterns. This was a time where craftsmanship was honored, rather than mass-produced goods. 

The movement went beyond book design, and could be found in buildings, woodblocks, prints and household objects. In later years, Morris focused on graphic design and typography. He created the Kelmscott press and focused on recapturing the detail of hand-printing, handmade paper and hand cut woodblocks. Morris designed hundreds of woodblocks and all were intricately designed with initials, boarders, frames, and title pages. Morris demonstrated that this art form could bring an appreciation for art to the working class.

Even after the death of Morris, his presence could be found in book designs and typography throughout the world.  In the Netherlands, artists wanted to revive printing and the traditional standards of the art form. Many did not view the Industrial Revolution as a good thing, since it allowed for mass production.  Artists like Sjoerd H. de Roos, saw that a successful typeface was the foundation of a great book design. Artists like Nypels, Stols, and Krimpen, were focused on high quality designs with legible typography.

The Arts and crafts movements spread to America, where designers were still influenced by William Morris. The American Type Founders Company, held a massive library containing past typographic designs. This was instrumental in reviving past designs.

This movement sparked an appreciation for craftsmanship rather than the mass production the Industrial Revolution had brought.  William Morris proved to be an influential leader in the Arts and crafts designs and inspired hundreds of artists. Graphic design stretched beyond book designs and typography, into prints and even household items.

William Morris woodblock design 1886

William Morris typefaces. Late 1800's

De Roos typeface and design 1907