INT331KRM

 Modernism in America was very different after World War II. It focused more on functionality and practicality than before. This allowed the movement and its components to be more accessible to the average American. Manufacturing gained popularity as well. Many of the methods for manufacturing parts and equipment for the war were carried over into furniture making. This in turned allowed for more production and more popularity in general.  Much of the modernist movement focused on flat roofs, glass walls, clean lines, and open floor plans. This style was more popular on the West Coast, but it's basics of clean lines with angular details were popular throughout America. While the buildings were fairly rectilinear and clean the furniture on the inside was more curvilinear in design. This was mainly for the ergonomic aspects of the pieces. The designers wanted to consider all parts of their pieces, making better designs not only visually but ergonomically as well. Because of deve...

Modernism originally started in Europe, specifically Germany and France. But due to World War II the modernist movement found itself leaving Europe and moving to America instead. Because of the war the Bauhaus was forced to close. This was the main hub for the architects and designers of modernism and because the house was shut down many of them left Europe entirely and moved to the US. While Europe was recovering from World War II, the US was able to keep pushing forward in terms of designs. This forwards momentum created a difference in pre- and post-war modernism. Before the war, the movement was very theoretical and idealistic but after the hardships of war, modernism changed to become more practical and applicable to everyday life. There were many architects and designers that played a significant role in the modernist movement in America. While all of them had unique styles and characteristics, they all carried the same sense of geometric construction. Throughout the various buil...

The Rise of the Decorator took place around the World's Fair in Paris in the 1920s. There were Interior Decorators before this but it wasn't until this time that they started to gain more popularity. There were two main types of contributors to the World Fair, Functionalists and Decorators. Decorators focused on the putting together of the interior, making decisions based on aesthetics and atmosphere of the space. The rise of decorators was mainly because of all of the different styles that had been appearing. For example, Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, and Victorian styles all came to popularity around the same time period. Because of all of these different styles there was a need for decorators to furnish interiors based on the style of the building.  While the rise came about through the desires of the wealthier class, it didn't stay that way. As time went on people started to see the benefits of having an interior decorator help with the space. Interior decorators were s...

 The Art Deco period took place mainly in the 1920s. It originated in France and was a reaction to the end of World War I. It eventually spread to the United States and other countries towards the beginning of World War II. This later arrival to other countries was mainly because of the hesitant acceptance by the public. Art Deco is still considered to be a part of Modernism despite it's differences; focusing on decoration in design rather than functionality and basics. The Art Deco movement wanted to celebrate the end of the war and not solely focus on functionality. Because of this, it was a fashion oriented style influenced by Art Nouveau after the Victorian Period.  Art Deco was a style that revolved around chevron, zig-zag, and other geometric shapes, large mirrors, polished metals, leather, and zebrawood. It wanted elegance in design, not just functionality. The Art Deco style was essentially split into two different types base on the feminine and masculine. The feminine...

 Modernism really took hold between the 1900s and the 1950s. It took place roughly at the same time as the World Wars. Because of all of the destruction and chaos from the wars, modernism was a chance to redesign the world into what we see today. It took advantage of the technological advances of the time period (skyscrapers, automobiles, trains, etc.) while still acknowledging the tradition of handmade and crafted items. Modernism looked towards functionalist designs, rejecting past historical designs that would often seem to choose ornamentation over function. The main architects of this time were Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius, Ludwig Mies Van de Rohe, and Le Corbusier.  Modernism really took place in the form of the International Style during the 20s and 30s. All the main architects of the Modernist period were a part of this new style. They all had a core set of three principles, the expression of volume rather than mass, balance in designs rather than preconceived sy...

Protomodernism, like the other movements of it's time, was made in opposition of the Victorian Style.  Protomodernism really took hold in Germany, Austria, and Netherlands from around 1897 to 1959. The movement was interested in simplicity and the use of machinery and manufacturing. In this sense they were very modern; pulling away from the old way of designing and embracing the new technology that could be used in their designs. These new technologies led to the use of different materials such as plywood, aluminum, and bent beechwood. In Germany the movement was known as Deutshcher Werkbund. Similar to Art Nouveau, it looked towards nature for inspiration rather than historical precedents. But they did so in a different manner, focusing on nature in more geometric and linear ways. While some of their designs still looked to curves and movement it wasn't as free flowing and organic as some designs found in the Art Nouveau. A great example of this is the Postal Savings Bank Armc...