  |
|
|
|
"A Modernist is at peace. At peace with their unassuming surroundings, at peace with the elegant forms of nature, at peace with themselves and at peace with their beautifully streamlined silverware that hardly picks up food."
The Modernist movement began somewhere in the early mid 1900’s. We’ll say it began with the founding of the Bauhaus in Germany in 1919. Initially it was a philosophy, a belief that artists, architects and industrial designers should practice their "art" for the good of society. A house was no longer just a place to live, something to shelter a family from the elements. A house was an expression of family, an expression of community, and an aesthetically, and spiritually pleasing entity on it’s own. The house shaped the community as much as the community shaped the house. So it was believed that the proper style of house could produce the proper style of community. Since then the underpinnings of Modernism have changed. In the passing decades the Modernist movement took on new meanings and new directions. The belief that art and architecture are tools for constructing a better society have generally given way to the more mainstream belief that art and architecture in conjunction with a myriad of other factors (i.e. education, family, etc.) makes for a better society. Modernism began to shift from a social advocacy movement to an aesthetic, almost spiritual advocacy movement. The lines of a Modernist building are simple, elegant and necessary. The ornamentation is non-existent. The windows are plentiful, the colors natural and most important, the aura is peaceful. A near negative image of the Victorian style and way of thinking. The Victorian house is to the Modernist house as the English garden is to the Zen rock garden. One is filled and busy while the other is sparse and peaceful. One aspect of Modernism that has held on through the years is the belief in and adherence to ideals (regardless of the fact that the ideals themselves have changed). A Modernist looking to be surrounded by simple elegant forms may find that pursuit a bit daunting. A chair of Modernist design may bring peace to your mind and spirit, but will likely bring discomfort to your body. The attic-less, basement-less houses of impeccable Modernist design, with huge swaths of picture windows, hardwood floors, and Eames designed furniture have no place for window air conditioners, overflowing hampers, dirty dishes or comfortable old slippers. Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article Modern Thinking – Part II - Modernism in Historic Preservation is owned by . Permission to republish Modern Thinking – Part II - Modernism in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|
|
|
