OPUS 12

ACTION VERBS

Shape: This week we focused mainly on the early 20th century. We learned that what was happening in art began to shape what happened in architecture, and vise versa - they effected each other greatly. In art, the loss of perspectuve and flattening of space was widely used - fauvism and cubism were two techniques, and they also employed neutral colors and geometrical shapes. (friday massey reading) These elements were reflected in architecture - minimal colors were used, and there were cleanly shaped walls with little to no decoration.

Speculate: At this time, designers and architects alike speculated about the future of architecture. There were multiple interpretations which included fauvism, cubism, futurism, expressionim, and art noveau. The first two included a flattening of space, with geometrical patterns and neutral colors. The next two involved bright, colorful geometrical patterns, flattening space, and frozen movement. Destijl involved abstracting down to the basics. Of course, there were more explorations into art and architecture at this time, but these were examples to express the common factors - flattening space and geometry.

Compose: I have already mentioned that the artists and architects at this time composed their designs, usually, using geometrical shapes and flattened space. All of these designs, at the time, were modern. In the Modern Movement, however was the institute of design known as the Bauhaus, which was created because Gropius merged two schools - the School of Arts and Crafts at Weimar, and Weimar Academy of fine Arts. (Roth 522) Here, the designers were concerned with their products being "cheap, durable, and 'beautiful'" in order to be functional, according to Gropius. (Roth 524)

Stretch: The new ideas brought by members of the Bauhaus, as well as other modern designers at this time, were stretched to new heights. The Chrystler building, for example, as well as the Empire State Building, were modeled after what was popular at the time - the speed and form of the automobile. Also, buildings and objects weren't being created only for the rich - America was becoming a country revolved around consumerism. More and more things were being created to satisfy the need people felt at this time, stretching the function and quality of products.

Through this week we discussed The Modern Movement, and other modern buildings. We explored the flattening of space, use of geometrical patterns, use and lack of color, and the complete stripping of surface decoration as well as the exposed systems.