Modernism in America (Part 1)

Modernism has stayed around for a while because it is well, modern. There were many big players in America spreading and keeping modernism alive as well as so many important houses built by these game players.
One of the most important was someone who is not new to us, Frank Lloyd Wright. Looks like he needed to spread his modernism everywhere, even coming back home to America. He introduced the Hollyhock house in Los Angeles California. This house was built in 1921 for Aline Barnsdall. The house included elaborate terraces and garden along with structure poured from concrete and cast with geometric ornamentation. Having been done during something know as Frank Lloyd Wright's "Japanese years" which had heavy influence on this house in particular. It was a house unlike most of his others.

(Hollyhock House pictured above)
Another house we worked on was The Millard House in Pasadena California. This was one of his most successful houses during the period. it included features such as concrete block that were cast with patterns, similar to the Hollyhock house. This was called a textile block which gives the wall surfaces repeated pattern that resemble fabrics.

(Millard House pictured above)
The most important house that Frank Lloyd Wright created was Falling Water. This home was built for Edgar Kauffman in Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburgh. One of the most interesting features of this home is that it was built on a waterfall and the different method that were used to make that be possible. Wright loved to use his natural resources and this building gave him exactly that.
 
(Falling Water pictured above)

Current applications on American Modernism





Extra Credit Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVLrE37amj8

Responses:
Kate I: I think it is quite beneficial to talk about a specific designer along with bolding his name and showing images of his work.
Alexandra: I enjoy that Alexandra included floor plans as well as images and videos to all support her information.

Rise of the Decorator

Although now people see the term of 'decorator' as almost an insult, back in the 1900s it was just what they were called. They were people that 'decorated' the interiors of buildings, so naturally that is what they referred to themselves as. There were a few heavily influential ones in this time period. Dorothy Draper was one of them, and she was also one of the most influential women in the interior design field. She was all about bending the rules and throwing out controversial things. I think this is very important in the growth of the women in this field. Her confidence was shown in her style and made her design vibrant. (Examples below)

Current applications:

Extra Credit Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjlEHsDPi1w

Responses: 

Alex:  I really liked the video that Alex chose! I actually almost used it for my blog, but I think it really helps go more in depth about Dorothy.

Alexandra: I liked the way she described her photos it helped understand what each were.

Art Deco

Art Deco began in the 1920s and ran into 1939 with its torturous battle between functionalists and decorators. Art Deco followed Modernism, and that is mostlikely the reason it was as extravagant as it was. Modernism was pretty bare minimum, trying to completely do away with the heavy ornamentation of the Victorian era that was their predecessor. Now that things are once again changing and things got a little boring people are getting inspired again. That is where art deco comes along and spices everything up. The Art Deco Era uses heavy focus on: Chevron, zig-zags, african tribal art, large mirrors, and prominent lighting fixtures. Instead of the nature vibes given with modernism they use rich materials such as: ebony, zebrawood with inlays of ivory, tortoise-shell, leather, polished metals, mirrors and glass. I feel that every different era we see coming through is in direct contrast with the era it follows which I feel is a very human rebellion way of life.

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Current Application:






Extra Credit Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wwiR3K3bXA

Responses:
Haley: I like how Haley went into depth about the skyscrapers and added pictures to relate to her writing.
Becca: I really enjoyed Becca's video on the difference between Art Noeveau and Art Deco, thought it was a valid point and something to take into mind.