Unrelated but Cool

Just had to put this on the blog. Thought this was really cool :) Please watch.

Blog Assignment 10

In the image shown below, I have an example of newly designed columns. Designed by Michael Hansmeyer, these columns are made from 1mm layered grey board sheets, which have been stacked upon a pole created these interesting columns. Columns originally come from the Ancient Greece times, later being modified by the Romans(1). Still used in todays society, these columns have been 'remixed' throughout the centuries. Hansmeyer's columns in particular stand out the most in my opinion as they are made completely from individually cut pieces of board. Although it says that he is moving into the process of wood and metal etc. The original form of the colunm is still there, but Hansmeyer has given his own style, or remix as such to it. Making it his own with the historical style to develop this intricate architectual design.

Hansmeyers inspiration for his design brings alot of meaning to his work. As it shows that even though something that would have though to be ancient history, something only for in the history books or tourist attraction. I believe that Hansmeyer's column designs are bringing back history to the 21st century. Therefore creating more meaning to his work.

(fig1)

(1)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_order
(fig 1) -
New Style:
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/5Mnild/www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/9/view/14052/michael-hansmeyer-ornamented-columns.html
Old Style:
http://mouldingspecialties.com/columns/columns.htm

Blog Assignment 9

After World War Two ended people were vulnerable, feeling the need to get their lives back on track. Thus leading to consumerism. After the horrific events of the war people felt the need to bring their lives back to how they were. To help them move on. Which lead to the need to buy alot of things to not only make themselves feel better but also make them feel like they are moving onto a better, non-war life.
Barabara Kruger's piece "I shop therefore I am"(fig1) is a perfect example of the consumerist society of then and now. Kruger was a feminist artist back in the 60's+. This piece shows how we as a society have potrayed ourselves as people who express who we are purely based on the items we buy, rather than our thoughts and actions. We are what we buy, nothing more.
The second image(fig2) shows how we as a society can be sucked into the advertisements from these companies. How we can so easily be sold something that says it will make our lives better. In this case 'lynx'. Whose adds give the impression that if you buy and use their product, women, in bikinis, will run after you because you smell so 'good'. Their logo of which being spray more, get more. Therefore the more you spray the more women you will have. The interesting thing is, that even with these ridiculous, unrealstic advertisements, Lynx looks to be doing very good sales. Which just proves how we as a society are sucked in to consumerism and even with the war behind us we still continue to consume unnecessary items.


(fig1)

(fig2)

(fig1) : http://www.maryboonegallery.com/artist_info/gfx/kruger/04057-(BK).jpg
- 1987

(fig2) : http://nedcolville.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/lynx-spray-more-get-more.jpg

Blog Assignment 8

For this weeks blog assignment we we're asked to discuss whether we agree or disagree on Hannes Meyer's position on design being a result of 'function x economy'. As well as our own opinion on whether is design is art, science or can it be both.
I agree with Meyer's position of design being a result of function x economy. The economy is a huge thing when it comes to anything nowadays as well as the days of Meyer's time as director of the Bauhaus. Although I don't feel that design should be placed solely in the service of the working class needs(1), in the time of Meyer, that most likely was the case. As in his time, people were looking for a need for design. Rather than letting design be just what it is. It had to serve some sort of purpose as well as being economical. Without those features Meyer wouldn't have achieved in making the Bauhaus more financially independent(1).

In respect to whether design is an art form or whether it be science. I believe that it would be both. As I feel that without science we wouldn't have the ability to create half the designs that are known around the world. For example the 'Zephyrometer'(fig 1) which is located by Evan's Bay in Wellington. It is a kinetic sculpture (a sculpture that moves), 26m tall which sways to show wind direction and speed(2). This sculpture shows the design as art in respect to the look of the work, the colour choices as well as the materials used. Science is also taken into this design as the use of the sculpture as well as the form used to show others the wind speed and direction. So, without science we as designers would then be very limited to what we could produce as well as the uses behind the designs. Which is where science comes in. I do not think that we could not produce as amazing design without science and science could not look as appealing as it does now without design.

(1) - "The First Machine Age in Europe" by David Raizman
(2) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zephyrometer
(fig 1) : http://www.panoramio.com/photo/183515

Blog Assignment 7

For this weeks assignment we have an asked to give an example of a symbolic universe of today. So things like the world fairs that were held in America or television.
A symbolic universe of today, in my opinion, would be the computer. Developed not long after the television, the computer is a symbolic universe in almost the same way the TV is. Computers are our biggest resource of today. Whether that be information, worldly knowledge, socialising or even playing games.
As shown below a new 'computer' is coming out soon. Something that has been bounced around since the 1980's. Which is now becoming reality and a new symbolic universe for us of this generation. As seen in multiple movies of the 80's onwards we see their vision of what would be the technology of the future. This as said before is now our reality. Technology is expanding and evolving fast. Our idea of the future could possibly be the future of the next 20years. Then what? What will come next? Technology is evolving rapidly, soon the desktop will have the reputation of a typewriter, an antique. Media and design will transform into more technological states, evolving the social universe. More so than that if today.

Blog Assignment 6

Walter Benjamin argues that "To an even greater degree the work of art produced becomes the work of art designed for reproducibility. From the photographic negative, for example, one can make any number of prints; to ask for the authentic print makes no sense."
I believe that under certain circumstances Benjamin is right. Like the example given of the photographic negatives. Art work is valuable and popular the more authentic and rarer it is. So what's the point if it can be reproduced many times to the extent where everyone is able to have one?
But then what about state proofs? When printmaking the artists make a print on a plate of some form, then making impressions before adding more to the plate, making copies. But what a state proof is, is when the artist makes that plate, does the impression but then burns the plate afterwards. So as to make it an original, therefore becoming more valuable due to its authenticity as you cannot make another like it again. This goes against what Benjamin argues.
It shows that you are able to choose between reproducible artwork and authentic art work. The artists can choose how authentic their artwork is.
Arguably in this day and age authentic art would be much harder to come by with the digital design and manufacture of today. Take photos for example. Once uploaded to the internet that photo becomes free for all. Anyone can have it due to screen shots, downloads as well as hackers being able to steal it for their own use. Bringing the authenticity down due to the availability of the art work. There are ways so as to stop this, for example watermarking the photos before putting on the web, so if others try to download it, the watermark will be there showing who the original artist was.

Blog Assignment 5

Artists experimentation has influenced our understanding of colour in a huge way. Showing how a colour changes depending on how much light is hitting it or how close you are to the object itself. Or even by the surrounding colours encasing the colour.
Isaac Newton discovered that colour was a series of light waves, different colours were created depending on where the spectrum of light wave was. This hugely effected the 'study of colour in art till the 19th century'
Artists began to sought out new meanings for colours, like the 'romantic artists'. Philipp Otto Runge for example made one of the earliest attempt to show light and dark content in a coherent whole. Using a sphere, directing a light source upon one side, showing the different shades.

(fig 1)

(fig 1) : Philipp Otto Runge, "Colour Sphere" 1810

Runge's "Colour Sphere" showed the colour changes produced from night and day, which he also used schematically in his art piece "Morning". The experimentation with colour has given us great understanding. For example how one colour can look like a different shade depending on the colour in which it is being places next too. Showing the idea of how the eye see's colour and how it can deceive our minds.

Blog Assignment 4

Adolf Loos said that "The evolution of culture is synonymous with the removal of ornament from objects of daily use". I personally agree with this statement.
As the centuries have gone by, and the evolution of design has grown to what it has become now. The ornamental value of an object has definately modernised, and yes become more simplistic/abstract.
Nowadays people don't feel the need to over design an object like they did in Loos' time. I feel that through the evolution of culture people have grown to feel that see that there is no need to have an object that has random curls flicking off the edges; like in the image below:

When it comes down to it, a lamps function to produce artificial light. There is no need to have this ornamental 'design' in such an object. Through the centuries we drew away from such heinous designs and culturally evolving into more simplistic attributes. Just like Loof said.

Blog Assignment 3

Beauty + Utility


I personally feel that what Jones is trying to say is that when using a natural inspiration for a design to make more of a representation of the object, rather than making a type of replica. Nature and the like isn't there to be imitated, its there to be made into more of an abstracted representation.

http://www.newhouseofart.com/lounge-chair-furniture-design-trends-by-solovyov-design-studio/ofo-lounge-chair-modern-design/

This chair design was designed by Solovyov.
I believe that this chair design is construction decorated due to the fact that they have taken the basic construction of a chair and decorated it to this new design. I personally do not like this design at all. The aesthetics used to bring this design together isn't very appealing to the eye whatsoever. The idea behind this design is a very good one, I may say. But upon looking at it, it's not very good design in my opinion. My idea of a chair is something that is comfortable and easy to sit upon. This doesn't show either.
For storage it works well, and quite innovative but I feel that it is not aesthetically appealing to the eye.

Blog Assignment 2

Continuing Curve

http://www.artfinding.com/Artwork/Frames-&-mirrors/Florentine-Rococo-Mirror/3605.html

Shown above is an eighteenth century rococo design, Gildwood Carved Mirror.
In this generation it is very rare to see such a thing like this in everyday homes, purely because nowadays we have gone back to minimilistic design rather than that of the Rococo.
I do believe that this is the result of sensuous impulse, given the fact that nowadays a mirror is very minimalistic. The border of this Rococo design is very over eccentuated, and is definatly more for the aesthetics than the actual purpose of a frame. I personally like the intricatness of this design, you can see the craftsmenship within the work. It achieves making the person look, rather than just a passing glance. Which is something that not just designers strive for. Individuality.

Blog Assignment 1

The pen comes in many shapes and forms. BUT it is one of many designs in which sticks to a basic idea/form. Although many different shapes come out, it still originates around the same form. I think that designs, like the pen, is important because it portrays just how design works. You take one design, and then make it into your own but still the resemblance and function of the original is still there.