Exhibition "The British design: from William Morris to the digital revolution" was held at the Pushkin Museum. This exhibition - the dialogue of art and design XIX XXI centuries. The exhibition features 12 exhibits of famous artists and designers of the XIX century from the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum and 20 works of contemporary designers.
In different epochs, design reflects the actual problems and creates its aesthetics, which affects society and the technological progress
Altar Philip Webb. 1897 Oak carving Victoria and Albert Museum. London
Leader and ideologist of the movement - William Morris, advocated the preservation of the rich national traditions of arts and crafts. Ideal for Morris served medieval craftsmen,. As the basis of his art system - a synthesis of architecture, painting and decorative arts.
A contemporary of William Morris - Christopher Dresser, became the first independent and commercially successful industrial designer. Dresser looking for new visual forms - aesthetically pleasing, but is not required for the realization of complex industrial technologies. He approached the design in terms of functionality, form and material shall conform to the purpose of object.
Armchair by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. 1917 Mahogany, with upholstered seat Victoria and Albert Museum. London
The idea of synthesis of the arts of William Morris and Christopher Dresser functional approach determined the further development of British design.
In the twentieth century digital technology replaced analog and mechanical. Computer simulation, 3D printing, laser cutting to the top of the 2000s were already used for the production of not only individual components, but also mass production. This process is called "digital revolution."successful organization of the exhibition allows viewers to compare objects from different epochs,their materials and forms and also note the relevance of the works of British design.
Coffee table Collection "Menza" Liam Hopkins and Richard Sweeney. 2009 Glass, birch plywood, laser cutting CNC machined Ownership Lazerian
Engraved web Ceiling light Tom Dixon. 2013 Steel, photo-etching property of the author
Puhnarevich Natalia
On this exhibition you can find works of one of the world known designer - William Morris. It was his decision to became an artist which was against the wishes of the family (they want him to serve the church). The artist was convinced that designers should produce things taking experience and inspiration from the past that can be seen in his masterpieces. He thought that the best fabric for curtains is heavy fabric that is why he preferred luxurious woven wool. Morris was tended only to hand-printing technique and it applied to all his manufacture areas despite the fact that it was more expensive. It is unbelievable but many of his wallpaper prints are still very popular and produced nowadays. All his works have three essential features: led design, high-quality and traditional techniques materials.
ReplyDeleteVolkova Nataliya
The ceiling light pictured on last image is in the shape of a quite interesting geometrical solid, which called Pentagonal Hexecontahedron. I challenged myself to make one out of Purple Heart timber last year.
ReplyDeleteAnton S. Level 4
Thank you for the report. I would only argue that claiming the design was born in UK (or anywhere else in particular) is something a too loud statement. Design doesn't start with William Morris patterns or model T assembly line. Design is natural for human beings since the times they picked up a stick to work with it.
ReplyDeleteNatalia, thank you for your description, I decided to go and see it too and here is some additional information on some of the designers whose works were included into the display.
ReplyDeleteJohn Ruskin (a writer and an art theorist whose works William Morris was inspired by) stood for conservation of long-established national traditions of applied and decorative arts. Among his major works are 'The Seven Lamps of Architecture' (the book lays down seven moral principles (or “Lamps”) to guide architectural practice) and 'The Stones of Venice' which might be interesting to you.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh is also an architect who cleverly used light and space and took inspiration in Japanese lifestyle to create his design. Check out his 'Hill House', 'The Willow Tea Rooms' and 'House for an Art Lover', for example.
Ekaterina Aleynikova, Lvl 4