Protomodernism

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 Armchair by Otto Wagner. It was made of beechwood with a plywood seat. The chair can definitely be traced to a more natural origin but it does so with simplicity.


Unlike the Deutshcher Werkbund in Germany the De Stijl in the Netherlands was highly focused on simplicity. They took it one step further, focusing on very basic shapes and primary colors with an emphasis on vertical and horizontal lines. The key architect of De Stijl was Gerrit Rietveld who looked not only for simplicity in his designs but also something that could be used by everyone. He designed for the masses. Rietveld used simple materials for this reason, it was furniture that could be for everyone. One of his chairs, the Red and Blue Chair, encapsulates his intentionality of simplicity and geometric forms. Not only does it used the primary colors but it also has a strong tie to vertical and horizontal lines. Only the seat and back do not correspond with completely vertical and horizontal lines but they still support that aspect. 




One Step Further:

A great architect of this time was Frank Lloyd Wright. He was not as focused on simplicity and primary colors but his work paved the way for modernism. Wright was mainly focused on residential homes, using nature as an inspiration for his designs. One unique design aspect that Wright used was that not only did he incorporate nature through his designs using colors and furniture but he also did so through the use of glass. He focused on views of nature, letting it speak for itself rather than bending it into pieces of furniture or showing it through depictions. Wright's style was known as the Prairie Style. The exterior was characterized by hipped roofs and strong horizontal profiles while the interior was characterized by built-in, uniquely designed furniture, stained glass windows, and more. It looked to reflect nature inside while still providing views to the outdoors.





Here are a few videos that I think help explain a bit more about this time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8EABJrMplY

        (It's a bit slow at times but I thought it was interesting)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9GQvhNkhoA

Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 14, 2021 at 2:00 PM

    Kelly,
    I think this post was great and very informative of Protomodernism and its applications in modern day designs. I loved the historical background for Protomodernism and how it took form in Germany. It was nice how you also talked about Frank Lloyd Wright and his work within Protomodernism because I feel like most of Wright's designs are still considered classics today in architecture and design. We love and obsess over his work, but I think as designers we have to remember where designers like Wright and other drew their inspiration from in terms of simplicity, which Protomodernism is all about. Overall great job!

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