week 2

Arts and Crafts

The Arts and Crafts Movement occurred around 1850-1900 as a result of the poor quality of design that was produced in its predecessor Art Nouveau, this movement encouraged by the Industrial Revolution. The mass production and promotion became 'ugly' in the art world as they started to have little regard for craftsmanship because of demand and slowly drifted away from the definition of the traditionals surrounding art.

The Arts and Crafts movement was seen as a socialist reform

movement which involved all so

rts of artists, from architects to writers. The 'free' expression that aroused in artists in th

is movement produced many unique artworks and essentially the movement became a bridge fro

m the traditions of the Victorian age to Modernity.

This was the first style of commercial art to be embraced by the world. Possibly because of its association with Paris giving it a sort of glamour for the world to indulge in. It rebelled against Victorian attitudes because it was free-er and simpler. In thi

s style the design is very sensuous and restrained yet elegant and purposeful.

The motifs used are very energetic and organic, usually plant-like or line/vine tendrils. There was alot of Asian inspiration because of the trade at the time, all furniture and industrial/architectural designs were sensuous and functional because of supporting line or curve added for both beauty and function. It was a way to enhance the beauty and function of the material, either strengthening a chair or allowing little light through a window. The influence from Japan is seen in some of the flat simplified imagery usuall

y of stems of plants and flowers.

William Morris was known as a leader of Arts and Crafts movement. He was dedicated to discover the traditions of art that was before the destruction of them by the Industrial Revolution. He was intrigued by all material and from is belief of staying true to the nature of the material, staying honest and demonstrating such craftsmanship to show its purity came the rules of the modern movement.

Art nouveau posters were very distinct illustrating night-life of concerts or brothels with cut off figures in the foreground and a spot light of focus on the central figure. The style that followed showcased flat characatures, diagonals to show movement and point/organic shapes. Peaking out faces were typical and emphasised by matching colour. The posters became huge, this was the start of what we call billboards today although they aren't any longer flat or gradual colour with black outlines, they have stepped up along with the advance in technology.

The portraits or posters of model revealed an idealised beauty, the face, shoulders, big hairdos and small waist all to accentuate her beauty. Some were painted with similar bold and fat colours that created unity, guiding the viewer around the poster by the connection of colour. It became very simplified, the shapes became further abstract and the illustration style was almost absent of detail.

In 1895 extremely stylised hair and fabric became popular amongst the vast variety of artists, it bridged towards psychedelic. Alphonse Mucha was a famous artists from that time who created exotic sensuous portrayals of women with highly stylised hair.

Essentially the movement created a new vibe for all artists in all areas of designing, it allowed for a freedom and purity that was restricted in the previous movements, thus allowing access to the future of art.

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