Modern Movement

Introducing 'Modernism'

                               

The modern movement which emerged in the early 20th century, in architecture and industrial/product design, responded to eliminate changes in technology and society. A new world of machines and cities forced artists to think anew about their environment, and soon revolutionized the way we perceive, portray, and participate in the world. Modernist ideas have pervaded every form of design, from graphics to architecture, as well as being a key influence on art, literature and music. 

Many modern designers insisted that they followed no "style." And indeed modernism was more than a style, it was a new worldview, conditioned by new perceptions of time and space. But even though there were ways of expressing that worldview, these are the hallmarks of modern design: an interest in exploring new materials, a rejection of historical precedents, and a simplification of forms by a reduction of ornament.

Gropius was the leader of the Bauhaus, the school of art and architecture in Germany. The Bauhaus revolutionized art training by combining the teaching of the pure arts with the study of crafts. Gropius aimed to unite art with technology, and he educated a new generation of designers and architects to reject historical precedents and adopt the ideology of modern industry.

Manifestos: Le Corbusier, “Towards a New Architecture” (1923)

Walter Gropius, “The Theory and Organization of the Bauhaus” (1923)

Marcel Breuer who designed the Wassliy Chair in 1925, added tubular steel rods and simple rectangular leather strips to form the seat. Having this chair as an example, elements were simplified and promoted greater efficiency when it comes to production and materials. As many other designers, Breuer took Gerrit Rietveld's Red,Blue and Yellow chair elements as in ergonomics and transformed them in his own way of designing as seen in the pictures below. 

Marcel Breuer, Wassily chair, 1925

Gerrit Rietveld, Red,blue,yellow chair, 1918

References: 

Modernism: Design in a Nutshell (4/6) - YouTube. 

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Archives: Modernism at The V & A . 

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 An Insight Into the Modernist Movement/Look to Children’s Art. 

[ONLINE] Available at: http://blog.oilpaintersofamerica.com/2014/02/an-insight-into-the-modernist-movementlook-to-childrens-art/. 

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Modern Design Blog.

 [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.moderndesignblog.com/.

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Modern Art Movements To Inspire Your Logo Design | Smashing Magazine.

 [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/01/07/12-modern-art-movements-to-inspire-your-logo-design/. 

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The Modern Movement, Art History . 

[ONLINE] Available at: http://www.artquid.com/page/20/the-modern-movement.html. 

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 THE MODERN WORKPLACE. 

[ONLINE] Available at: http://bauhausinteriors.com/blog/the-modern-workplace/. 

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Breuer.Intro.

 [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.marcelbreuer.org/.

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