The 18th and 19th century’s focused on opening up the world, yet still reflecting on architecture and design history. The world was in a transition stage politically, socially, and artistically. The alternative forms of architecture of the past were now being subdued and really focused on to lead way to more exploration of the arts. This unit can be best represented by the three words expansion, revolution, and exploration.
With the foundations and alternatives units over the design world was just beginning to look back and see what they have done in the past. Recreation of past styles became popular, and reviving what had already been done was the norm. Greek, Roman, renaissance, and gothic are only a few of the styles that kept appearing in newer work. The Houses of Parliament, for example, built down and when it was rebuilt could only be done so in the original gothic style to keep its authenticity. For a time, there was only horizontal expansion and no new designs were reaching vertical. Imitations of the past were becoming too monotonous and a change was needed. The industrial revolution was right around the corner though and a whole new style was beginning to form from such.
Revolution means reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving, and that is exactly what happened during the industrial revolution. Cities began to form and people moved inward to capitalize on the accessibility and technology that began to flourish. Developments were being made in many fields, that all helped to further the design world. Scientific developments were made in the factories to speed up work, in the textile industry to produce more, and in technology to be able to mass-produce items and materials. There were also advances in communication that made it possible for information to travel faster and farther. Word was spreading more frequently and more styles began to spread outwards. For example, the Bauhaus style began in Germany but over time it continued to grow and spread. In America we welcomed the design and called it the International style, and in other countries it was also adapted as well. With the industrial revolution a call to hand-made work was also discussed. The arts and crafts movement rejected or questioned the use of the machine and its effectiveness. Charles Asbee said that “we do not reject the machine, we welcome it but we desire to see it mastered.” The discussion about industry versus hand-made was readily debated throughout the 19th century. Revolutions were being made not only in the industrial world but elsewhere that helped to shape the way for exploration and discovery.
With so much new technology and growth it was only natural that people began to explore new ways to do things and new things to do them with. The search for new things led people outwards to explore the goods of other countries. Trade routes, such as the Silk Road, let goods and ideas travel globally. Work from the east and west began to comingle and collide. Another way that ideas were spread was through world fairs. Many countries brought together their work so that other countries could gain knowledge through their designs. One of the most famous fairs was held in the Crystal Palace built by Paxton specifically for the fair. Not only was the inside full of new designs, but the building itself was an exploration of new material. The whole structure was made of glass and iron, which were just beginning to be used. Not only were they cheaper, but they also increased the speed of building as well. With this new material knowledge came exploration in styles and design of buildings, such as the skyscraper. Things that never could be attempted before were now beginning to be made and constructed. This exploration continued throughout the century and beyond.
In conclusion, the 18th and 19th centuries served as a transition between the past and what was still yet to be explored. Expansion, revolution, and exploration summarize what this unit is really about and how the design world went through a change from replication to discovery.
The Reliance Building is a key example of this unit because it shows the progress that was made throughout the 19th century.
With the foundations and alternatives units over the design world was just beginning to look back and see what they have done in the past. Recreation of past styles became popular, and reviving what had already been done was the norm. Greek, Roman, renaissance, and gothic are only a few of the styles that kept appearing in newer work. The Houses of Parliament, for example, built down and when it was rebuilt could only be done so in the original gothic style to keep its authenticity. For a time, there was only horizontal expansion and no new designs were reaching vertical. Imitations of the past were becoming too monotonous and a change was needed. The industrial revolution was right around the corner though and a whole new style was beginning to form from such.
Revolution means reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving, and that is exactly what happened during the industrial revolution. Cities began to form and people moved inward to capitalize on the accessibility and technology that began to flourish. Developments were being made in many fields, that all helped to further the design world. Scientific developments were made in the factories to speed up work, in the textile industry to produce more, and in technology to be able to mass-produce items and materials. There were also advances in communication that made it possible for information to travel faster and farther. Word was spreading more frequently and more styles began to spread outwards. For example, the Bauhaus style began in Germany but over time it continued to grow and spread. In America we welcomed the design and called it the International style, and in other countries it was also adapted as well. With the industrial revolution a call to hand-made work was also discussed. The arts and crafts movement rejected or questioned the use of the machine and its effectiveness. Charles Asbee said that “we do not reject the machine, we welcome it but we desire to see it mastered.” The discussion about industry versus hand-made was readily debated throughout the 19th century. Revolutions were being made not only in the industrial world but elsewhere that helped to shape the way for exploration and discovery.
With so much new technology and growth it was only natural that people began to explore new ways to do things and new things to do them with. The search for new things led people outwards to explore the goods of other countries. Trade routes, such as the Silk Road, let goods and ideas travel globally. Work from the east and west began to comingle and collide. Another way that ideas were spread was through world fairs. Many countries brought together their work so that other countries could gain knowledge through their designs. One of the most famous fairs was held in the Crystal Palace built by Paxton specifically for the fair. Not only was the inside full of new designs, but the building itself was an exploration of new material. The whole structure was made of glass and iron, which were just beginning to be used. Not only were they cheaper, but they also increased the speed of building as well. With this new material knowledge came exploration in styles and design of buildings, such as the skyscraper. Things that never could be attempted before were now beginning to be made and constructed. This exploration continued throughout the century and beyond.
In conclusion, the 18th and 19th centuries served as a transition between the past and what was still yet to be explored. Expansion, revolution, and exploration summarize what this unit is really about and how the design world went through a change from replication to discovery.
No comments:
Post a Comment