Whilst only open for eleven years The Bauhaus is one of the most revolutionary schools of design. Working in multiple fields including: architecture, painting, typography, graphic design and industrial design its influence is still obvious today, with grid systems such an integral part of Interaction Design we have a lot to thank the artists and designers of The Bauhaus for.
We started this week’s lecture by looking at De Stiji, translated as “The Style” a movement in The Netherlands from 1918-1938. De Stiji brought a new and modern take on art and design, focusing on abstraction and humanism. The movement was interested in all aspects of design: typography, art, architecture, to name only a few, it contained designers such as Piet Mondrian, Theo Van Doesburg and Kurt Schwitters. They gave us the use of grid systems and grid based typography, things we use consistently as modern designers, as well as some beautiful pieces.
Piet Mondrian was one of the founders of the De Stiji movement along with Theo Van Doesburg. Design Historian Stephen Bayley is quoted a saying
"Mondrian has come to mean Modernism. His name and his work sum up the High Modernist ideal. I don't like the word 'iconic', so let's say that he's become totemic – a totem for everything Modernism set out to be."
Source https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/mondrian-and-the-contemporary Last Accessed 1/11/2022
I really like Mondrian’s work there is something about how it looks simple, but took a really creative and brave mind to breakaway from the standard, realistic art of the time and do something totally different, inspirational.
I stopped into a record shop on my way home and saw a record cover that reminded me of Mondrian’s work, not sure I’d have enjoyed the music (although I might give it a listen out of curiosity) but loved the cover, shame it was a little out of my price range. I regret not taking a picture but this album cover is in a similar vain:
Source (https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/82824080624523526/) Last Accessed 01/11/2022
To end a very Mondrian inspired few days, this story appeared on my google news feed:
Source (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-63423811) Last Accessed 01/11/2022
The story suggests this particular unfinished piece form near the end of Mondrian life, has most likely been displayed upside down for seventy-five years. Curators in a German museum had their suspicions as the a very similar work created by Mondrian has the lines thicker at the top rather than the bottom. A photograph from Mondrian’s studio has also been found that seems to show the piece on his easel that way up as well. Pretty incredible that not only does Mondrian’s work continue to inspire but also cause debate today, even if it is which way it should be displayed.
The next movement we were introduced to was Russian Constructivism, another branch of abstract art and design coming from Russia in the same period, with key individuals such as Kasimir Malevich, El Lissitzky and Alexander Rodchenko. Constructivism as its name suggests puts elements together in a more practical and industrial style rather than for pure decoration. Russian Constructivism is also heavily linked with socialism in Russia at the time and was used for their propaganda. It was also an influence on both De Stiji and The Bauhaus.