Context Blog 2

These citations offer further information aiding in the study of French Rococo.

Milam, J.D. (2011) Historical Dictionary of Rococo Art. Sydney, NSW: Scarecrow

The Dictionary of Rococo Art investigates in great detail the history from beginning to end of the Rococo movement during the 18th Century. It is extensive covering just about everything one might wish to know about the period. It is useful in that this book contains art and design references with images. The author also refers various displays of art around the world that portray this style.

Source citation:
Iuliano, A.M. "Milam, J. D. :Historical Dictionary of Rococo Art. CHOICE: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries. Feb 2012: Academic OneFile. Web. 29 March. 2012

Doc URL:
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=Gale%7CA281789058&v=2.1&u=vuw&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w


Igra, C. (2005, July) Reviving the Rococo: Enterprising Italian Artists In Second Empire Paris. 28(3), 340-356.

This journal article offers another perspective of change of Rococo and concerns the pressures for Italians during the 18th century to emigrate to Paris. It depicts how they themselves were influenced by the Rococo movement, how they perceived it and the way in which Italian interpretation of Rococo art affected the style.

Source URL:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.041/-6790.2005.00467.x/abstract



Art History. (2009). Introduction to the Artistic Style of Rococo. Retrieved from: http://www.arthistory.net/artstyles/rococo/rococo1.html

This website, keeping in mind it's invalidity as an academic source, offers general coverage over all periods in the history of art. In particular it has a good section on Rococo written in layman's terms which informs the reader of important details.

Meissonnier, J. A. (1734) Covered Tureen and Platter. [Silver]. Retrieved from http://www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/a-l-ancien-regime/13445303316/1/tumblr_lvczj7reWK1r1dcs8

The image depicts a tureen and platter made in silver and designed by Juste-Aurele Meissonier, responsible for some of the most elaborately designed work during the peak of Rococo. Very obvious are its elements typical of Rococo which renders this image very useful. 

Cutaway Technical Illustration and precedent image of cruise liner. Note I accidentally left out the artist's family name which is Hulsey.

For my abstract composition I chose a squash racquet, one of my japanese cooking knives and an ordinary compass. Here are displayed their essence. I analysed their geometries, mechanics and function. And then arranged elements of these in a way that seemed most appropriate.

Context Blog 1

During a stint working at Zibibbo, I realised I had endured one too many bollockings and a few too many seventy hour weeks. I was missing mental stimulus and a life so I knew I had to give university another go. I made the decision to go to design school on a whim and at the last minute. Only a fortnight prior to the start of term was when I called to see if places in the course were still available. I signed my name immediately. My intention to study, however, was aforethought but I had been feeling unsure of my decision to study business. This would be my second time around and I wished to make it successful so, with lectures impending, I had a brainwave that put me in the right direction.

Instantly it was clear to me that everything I had been reading for pleasure was related to design. The blogs I regularly followed featured clothing, furniture, home ware, art and technology and the designers responsible for their creation. I was enthusiastic about the mechanics of time-pieces to pens, things made to last and full of integrity but really any object or idea that was innovative or had aesthetic and was honest.

I have been actively creative as long as I can remember. Cooking I realise has been the latest outlet. Recently I have been making or improving my clothes which is an ongoing collaboration with my girlfriend, a talented seamstress herself. We like mixed media in clothing. I don’t know exactly which direction in design I’ll take but my interest lies in sustainable and environmentally friendly design. Furniture and interiors grab my attention too so I’ll keep an open mind. And at this stage I would like to focus on developing the skills to get me started.

Woolly Pocket

After a quick browse on SHFT.com I became acquainted with Woolly Pocket. These 'pockets' are such a cool idea, made of recycled PET bottles, they can house a living wall indoors or out. They are waterproof but breathable allowing excess moisture to escape without damaging the wall on which they hang. This is a great example of good design.

Photo credit: Suthi Picotte via Woollypocket.com

Photo credit: Joshua White via Woollypocket.com

Watch it.

Some of this is relevant to our reading for 171 (George Kubler's 'The Shape of Time').

So thought provoking...

"Design dissolving in behaviour"

Naoto Fukasawa

Casa de España

I came across this painting by Glenn Barr in Eyeball Kicks on Cuba street. The crisp black figures really pop against the earthy background shades which is what I find particularly attractive. I enjoy the agitated buzz in this scene. Its noise and chic, sultry burlesque really draw me in and somehow remind me of The Triplets of Belleville by Sylvain Chomet. 

(Image by Glenn Barr, via Eyeball Kicks NZ)

Sick Sustainable Furniture

Check out these two American companies making sick eco-friendly furniture. I really love the character and warmth that recycled wood brings to this furniture by Nightwood. It has a homely sense about it and sort of emanates an anticipatory aroma of wood in the viewers mind. In contrast are the furnishings made by ShinerInternational. They too are very organic but their products have a gorgeous sense of streamlined fluidity and elegance.
http://shinerinternational.com/wordpress/
http://nightwoodny.com/catalog/furniture/

Rib Chair (Image courtesy of ShinerInternational)

Sound Bite from OBJECTIFIED

'Designers make what used to be now look like then, so people will buy the new now.'

'Purpose has no place in biology, but history has no meaning without it.'

George Kubler author of 'The Shape of Time'

Sound bite from Helvetica doco

'Don't confuse legibility with communication'

Eccomi sul internet!