Written By Guest Blogger: Kayla Harvey
Think you know the era of art best described by your style? If art embodied people as an attitude, what would yours say? You might be surprised by it!
If the world of art is an ocean for which to swim, then lets jump into the puddle of this quiz, just for fun, and see what we find.
1. I am a(n) __________ kind of person.
a) Emotional
b) Pick-Yourself-Up-By-The-Bootstraps
c) Humorous
d) Go-With-The-Flow
2. I think the best art ___________
a) Evokes strong feelings from the viewer
b) Is technically accurate and true to life in appearance
c) Is instantly recognizable, and culturally relevant
d) Captures the fleeting beauty around us
3. I think the best way to succeed is to:
a) Fully experience every emotion
b) Work hard
c) Be aware of what is happening in my own culture
d) Take each moment as it comes
4. Images should be _________ to have artistic meaning.
a) Emotive
b) Rational
c) Iconic
d) Representational
5. If I were touring an art museum and listening to music I would listen to:
a) Singer/Song Writer
b) Classical Orchestral
c) Rock and Roll
d) Instrumental Jazz
6. The most important component of a painting is:
a) Authentic aesthetic experience
b) Balanced composition
c) Anything you want
d) Brevity of creation
7. If I were to pick a meal to eat just for fun it would be:
a) Frilly tea sandwiches and fancy cookies
b) Slow cooked and savory pot roast
c) Fast food cheeseburger and fries
d) Quick and colorful salad bar
8. I enjoy art that is:
a) Flirtatious and expressive
b) Serious and contemplative
c) Light-hearted and satirical
d) Melodic and flowing
9. Finish this sentence. The chicken crossed the road:
a) To have himself a good cry, and fall in love while walking through a beautiful pasture.
b) To get to the other side.
c) To become a rocket ship and sail to the moon with Marilyn Monroe.
d) To enjoy the sunset while it lasts.
10. The best artists:
a) Create sensations for their viewers
b) Are classically trained and adhere to traditions of beauty
c) Find common objects beautiful
d) Capture the momentary beauty of everyday life
Alright, now that you have answered all of the questions see which lettered answer comes up most frequently in your selection. Read below to see which artistic era you are paired.
A = Romanticism
If you love emotional expression Romanticism is made just for you. The movement began near the end of the 18th century as a reaction against the Industrial Revolution with particular aversion toward some of the downsides that came with the Age of Enlightenment. Although the forms within Romantic paintings are still classical in nature, the color palate is much more vivid and pastel than in previous artistic eras.
Romanticism centers around the idea of validating strong emotion as an authentic source of aesthetic experience. This system of thought spawned various other forms of artistic expression that blossomed during the period.
If after reviewing the art of Romanticism you would like to see other similar genres be sure to check out Rococo and Chinoiserie.
B = Renaissance
Alright, so this artistic period is a little up tight, but can you blame them? Genius artists such as Michelangelo, Da Vinci and Raphael were producing precision art the likes of which have never since been paralleled. The movement began in Italy and signaled the end of the Middle Ages. Its name literally means “rebirth” as it is characterized by a renewal of the classical Greek and Roman traditions of balanced beauty.
The Renaissance was not a time limited to artistic innovation only. The original Renaissance man Leonardo Da Vinci asserted, “Man is the measure of all things.” And while Humanistic philosophy such as this may have begun with artists, it’s affects were wide spread, and may still be felt today in the belief of the advancement of humanity through its own efforts.
For continued exploration of similar artistic movements be sure to check out Mannerism and Neoclassicism.
C = Pop Art
Its fun, its comical, its sarcastic, and sometimes its just downright bizarre. Pop art began, as most art movements do, in reaction to the shortcomings of the previous movement. In the late 1950s Abstract Expressionism was being shoved out of the way by irreverent Pop Artists fed up with the out of touch nature of their predecessors. They felt that art should be tangible, iconic, easily understood by common people. In a sense, art left the gallery and entered the street where everyday objects became exalted as figures of high art.
In addition to the use of found object, the movement is also characterized by the use of new and evolving technologies and materials. One of the best examples of this is the work of Robert Rauschenberg who crafted found objects (sometimes trash) alongside neon Plexiglas and polymers.
For further research into Pop Art look into its possible origins in the movement known as Dada.
D = Impressionism
Impressionism marks a decided change in fine art. In the late 1800s the movement began under much opposition. The artists aim was an attempt to capture the momentary, transient effects of light. It is bright and vivid and its paintings seem to have a swirling movement all their own. It is an artistic style obsessed with immediacy, and the subjects contained within it are often ordinary everyday landscapes and people.
Impressionism was largely aided by the advancement in technology of paint tubes. This allowed artists to paint en plein air, or outdoors in open air, and to capture more of the affects of light in the atmosphere.
Other artistic movements that were affected by Impressionism are Fauvism and Cubism.
Not Your Grandmother’s Chantilly
/in Current Trends, Seasonal, Traditional, Transitional/by Cristie Schlosser, RID, ASID, NCIDQAugust 2013
written by Amy Tran
This is not your grandmother’s Chantilly; this season lace is a staple. Bedding, wall covering, and rug patterns to dresses, shoes and nail design, retailers are a huge fan in both home décor and women’s apparel. Lace in black or dark colors creates a demure and sultry vibe; white or beige gives lace a crisp innocence that everyone can appreciate.
Hot Design for Keeping Cool
/in Current Trends, Mid-Century, Modern Art, Seasonal, Shop, Traditional, Transitional/by Cristie Schlosser, RID, ASID, NCIDQWritten by Guest Blogger Kayla Harvey
Now that you know these tips, get on out there and enjoy your summer!
Era of Art Quiz
/in Abstract Art, Gallery, Modern Art, Traditional, Transitional/by Cristie Schlosser, RID, ASID, NCIDQWritten By Guest Blogger: Kayla Harvey
Design 101 – The Golden Ratio
/in Design 101, Mid-Century, Modern Art/by Cristie Schlosser, RID, ASID, NCIDQWritten By Guest Blogger: Kayla Harvey
Prime the Flux Capacitor, and secure your time-travel helmets for this installment of Design 101. We will be reaching back, way back, to discover the origins of modern design through the birth of geometry and the Arabic numerical system. If all that does not sound like enough fun for you, there are even algebraic formulas you can try out for yourself! So, hold on tight, here we go!
Our first stop on this trip is ancient Alexandria around 300 BCE. There the “Father of Geometry”, Euclid, is writing what will become one of the most influential works of mathematics the world has ever seen. Amongst the many significant geometric observations Euclid records the Golden Ratio. Simply put this means, a+b is to a as a is to b.
Da Vinci Vitruvian Man
Fast forward several hundred years to the middle ages and a man who became known as Fibonacci is exploring the Arabic Numeral system and its advantages compared to the then standard Roman Numeral system. Fibonacci is credited with a series of numbers, and a subsequent formula, for determining a golden ratio. Numbers in the Fibonacci Sequence work on a recurrence relation. This means that it can be infinitely scaled larger or smaller.
The Golden Ratio via HongKiat
Fheeew! That was getting heavy! What do all these formulas and complicated mathematical lingo have to do with modern design? If it feels abstract and irrelevant, know for sure it isn’t. These are simply attempts to explain why we find certain things to be beautiful. Why across cultures and centuries humans have gravitated toward specific proportions in design. It might be because these ratios are an expression of our own, as seen in Leonardo Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man, or possibly because the Golden Ratio is everywhere in nature.
Golden Ratio In Nature
Regardless of its origins, the Golden Ratio is one element of design that is here to stay. Interior Designers constantly find this principal at work. The Golden Ratio is the reason why rectangular rooms feel the most comfortable, and typically have the best furniture placement options. It is not just a number or a mathematical concept, it is just as much an intuitive feeling that you get when entering a space. If things feel pinched, or out of balance, the Golden Ratio might be the answer. So next time you see an ultra modern house, or a blooming flower, remember the Golden Ratio and see if you cant find this design concept at work.
Golden Ratio In Modern Design
A Classic: Black & White
/in Current Trends, Traditional, Transitional/by Cristie Schlosser, RID, ASID, NCIDQContributing Author: Amy Tran
Crisp, timeless and always a glimmer of elegance, the classic black & white color combo will never go out of style.
An homage to the great Dorothy Draper, black and white flooring juxtaposed with ornate window casings and doorways create an alluring quality.
A great amount of attention is placed on balance and proportion. Accessories are dramatic and highly detailed while the color palettes remain simple but exciting.
The Art of Ikat
/in Blogs We Love, Current Trends, Seasonal, Traditional, Transitional/by Cristie Schlosser, RID, ASID, NCIDQContributing Author: Amy Tran
Ranging from hippie chic, to tribal safari to elegant embellishment, Ikat is a highly sought after material due to the time, effort and precision that goes into making it. There are many variations of Ikat, as it has origins in India, Japan and many South East Asian countries. The meaning of the word “Ikat” is “to bind”. The tying and dyeing process is similar to “tie dying”, however the fabric is dyed as it’s woven, creating intricate geometric shapes and patterns. The result is both interesting and exotic. This trend has hit the market hard in the past few years. In both woven and graphic depictions, the “Ikat” continues to populate fashion as well as interiors; trending in dresses, pillows, and accessories – even iphone cases!
Brunschwig & Fils Showroom
“Bayadere” By Brunschwig & Fils
An Indigo Chair
Ikat Robe
Ikat iphone case by Society6
Iman Red & Blue Ikat Decorative Pillow on Etsy
Ikat iphone case by Tory Burch
Chasing The Rabbit
/in Current Trends, Modern Art, Museum & Gallery Exhibitions/by Cristie Schlosser, RID, ASID, NCIDQFlower Power: Layers of Floral Prints
/in Current Trends, Seasonal, Shop/by Cristie Schlosser, RID, ASID, NCIDQKeeping with last weeks post, and an homage to the 1960’s flower power motif, we bring you a popular design trend: Layering Bold Floral Patterns. From wallpapers covered in lively, upbeat floral glory to upholstery in loud eccentric buds, these statement floras mix wonderfully with vivid-colored solid counterparts. As we look ahead to Summer 2013, we’re captivated by these magnificent beauties..
1 Jonathan Adler Malmo Wallpaper in Pink & Purple / via Layla Grayce
2 Dory Wall Mirror / via Plantation Design
3 Girly Orange Vintage Chair / via Modern House Insight
4 10-Light Modern Chandelier / Opal / via ABC Carpet & Home
5 Fera Pink Pillow Pair / via Layla Grayce
6 Bright Pink Chair / via Granger Hertzog
7 Curvey Chrysanthemum Vase / via Anthropologie
8 Ogee Pillow / via Trina Turk
Image via Elle Decor France
Image via Pinterest
Candy colored layers of pattern and flower power punch
ABC Carpet & Home / Aquasilk 9’5″x16’3″ Rug
A more subdued, Psychedelic take on the bold Flower Power look
Wallpaper by Amy Butler / Passion Lily / via Layla Grayce
Wallpaper by Amy Butler / Field Poppies / via Layla Grayce
Amy Butler Memento Wallpaper / Image via Layla Grayce
Amy Butler Passion Lily / Image via Layla Grayce
Amy Butler Temple Tulip Wallpaper / Image via Layla Grayce
Jennifer Paganelli Back Bay Orange Blue Embroidered Pillow / via Layla Grayce
Folklore Red Embroidered Pillow / via Layla Grayce
Trina Turk / Multi Floral Pillow
Jonathan Adler Wallpaper Malmo Green & Brown / Image via Layla Grayce
Image via Bennison Fabrics
Image via Bennison Fabrics
Image via Layla Grayce
Anchor your pattern mixing with vivid solids.
A Nod To Mod
/in Current Trends, Mid-Century, Seasonal, Uncategorized/by Cristie Schlosser, RID, ASID, NCIDQContributing author: Amy Tran
Glamorous pearls, florals and feminine lines meet funky patterns and bold accents. Inspired by fashion design and ranging from large floral prints to bold stripes and bright eccentric patterns mixed with pastel hues, this new wave of design aesthetic suggests its roots are from Sixties Mod. In 2013, this is a fresh take on the sixties using lavenders, baby blues, mints, and peaches that are anchored by black or white. This design style easily incorporates mid-century pieces with a feminine and youthful twist.
For more inspiration visit our Pinterest Board: A Nod To Mod
Metamorphosis, by Cecie Borschow
/in Abstract Art, Gallery, Modern Art, Transitional/by Cristie Schlosser, RID, ASID, NCIDQWe welcome your comments on this weeks blog post! This mixed media work by Cecie Borschow is titled: Metamorphosis. Let the discussion begin…