Continued Modernism in America

by: Katie Kaywood

 

 

The most successful architects and designers in this phase were using the dominant movement of electric historicism. These were based on the concepts of Paris Ecole des Beaux-Arts. The work by Sullivan and Wright were commonly overlooked and European modern works were rarely ever published, therefor unknown.

 

Frank Lloyed Wright's approach to modernism was extremely famous, he created a number of beautiful homes, here are a few below.

 

Frank Lloyd Wright and Aline Barnsdall in the 1920s and 1930s designed the Hollyhock House in Los Angeles, California. It became a monumental structure of poured concrete and geometric ornament.

 

 

 

 Another exquisite house in this continuing modern phase is La Miniatura in Pasadena, California. It is the most successful of houses made in this period, the patterned face gives the wall surfaces a repeated pattern.  

 

 

 

The last one I am going to show is the house called "Falling Water." It is on of Wrights most strategic and beautiful creations. This house was set directly on top of a waterfall instead of across the waterfall, the geometry and build of this home is extremely prestigious and incredible.

 

 

A few other amazing artists, designers, architects etc. in this period were Rudolph Schindler from Austria, Richard Neurta also from Austria, William Lescaze - he brought European modernism ideas into America in 1920s, Philip Goodwin and Eward Stone - great designers, they made modernism visible to the New York public, Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer, Mies Van der Rohe, Philip Johnson, and Eero Saarinen. All of these people made modernism continue in America and become a very well known and beautiful period of design and architecture. Here are a few examples of what some of these designers made:

by Eero Saarinen - Kleinhans Music Hall

 

by: Philip Johnson - Glass House

 

by: Richard Neurta - Kaufmann House

 

All of these spaces are beautiful and unique.

 

Modern Current Applications:

 





 

After reading Emily's blog I was informed more on the falling water house because she went into great detail about how it was her favorite and how detailed the architecture placement was. I also reviewed Megan Yee's blog, she went into further detail background on Irving Gill and Rudolph Schindler and their designs of both the Dodge and Schindler houses.  

 

For more information of continued modernism into America and further background on the Glass house by Philip Johnson you can watch this video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azUBFQhG1nk

 

Art Deco

By: Katie Kaywood

 

 

Art Deco was in France in 1925, it came to the United States and other European Countries at the beginning of the world war II. It was a fashion oriented style, strongly decorative and was influenced by Art Nouveau. The public was hesitant to accept this design style because of its timing with the war. The main architect of Art Deco was Michel Roux-Spitz from Paris. In his art deco design he often used chevron shapes, zig-zags, African tribal art, large mirrors and prominent light fixtures that drew a lot of attention to its modern materials.  



 

Art deco design was not only abstract shapes but also was used with rich materials such as; ebony, tortoise-shell, zebrawood with inlays of ivory, polished metals, leather, and glass. Which helped make the design rich, bold and extravagant. One of the art deco designers that used such materials in his furniture design was Jean Dunand. In his design he used geometric forms in the 1920s when he produced screens, cabinets, chairs, and tables.

 

A designer in this period named Eileen Gray stuck out to me, she was very original in her designs in furniture that really caught my attention, her work was beautiful. She was an expert in lacquer before World War I, she also did lamps and colorful geometric rugs. Her chairs designs had great dimension and stuck out from your normal chairs.

 

Art Deco isn't just furniture, it is throughout the entire room. It can be on the floor, on the walls, in the carpet or in the textile used. The most distinct attribute of this design is its use of crazy shapes, zig-zags, stripes, plaids, colors and cubistic themes like I stated shortly above. A very well known designer for this is Sonia Delaunay.

 

When Art deco came over into the US three major designers were Paul Frankl, - he introduced plywood instead of using solid wood in his designs, Joseph Urban, and Frederick Kiesler. All three amazing designers that brought new additions to the Art Deco design.

 

What kept the design carried on was the invention of the Radio and it helped carry art deco into every American home. The New York Rockefeller Center was designed in this Art Deco period in 1935 as well as 19 other commercial buildings. 

This style of design is still pretty prevalent today, I see it everywhere in wallpaper designs, floor designs, furniture etc. I feel it is used a lot in modern style spaces through pillows or subtle features that really pop out.

 

Current Applications:

 

When reading Natalie and Justine's blog I learned more about how prevalent and wide ranged the Art Deco furniture is and still is used today. In Natalie's blog she showed a lot of different designers chair/ furniture designs as well as discussed the style of each helping distinguish the true style and common features of the Art Deco style.

 

Here is a video to learn more on Art Deco :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amVvYPU4Gw8