Modernists produced work that would have a real impact on people’s lives, influencing every form of design, from graphics to architecture as well as literature and music. Wilk argues that Modernism was not conceived as a style, but was a loose collection of ideas (2008). These ideas included visions of utopia, exploring new materials, simplification of form by reducing ornament and aesthetic of machine age. In contrast to Wilks statement, artists did develop their own style following these ideas. With mentor Kazimir Malevich, El Lissitzky developed Suprematism, 1915. Aynsley reports that this style focused on abstract, geometric forms of flat colour (2004.) ‘Beat the whites with the red wedge’ conform to the modernist ideology of pure geometry, communicating a powerful message that would be left in the viewers mind.
William Morris was an important figure in the development of Modernism. Reacting against mass production but returning to well made hand crafted goods. ‘Have nothing in your homes that you do not know to be useful and believe to be beautiful’, (Morris, 1880. cited in Aynsley, J, 2004, p.52). In this statement Morris outlined that utility was as important as beauty. Hoffman published a brochure, also outlining this philosophy in 1905:
‘We start with function, usefulness is our first requirement. Our strength lies in good proportions and proper use of materials…… we shall attempt to be decorative, but not compulsively so and not at any cost. The value of artistic work and design needs to be acknowledged and appreciated once more…. We cannot and will not compete with cheapness; it is mainly achieved at the expense of the worker, and we feel that recapturing for him the joy of creation and a humane existence is our foremost obligation…’
(Hoffmann, 1905 cited in Gabriele, p.12 (2003).
Although Hoffmann states function is his first requirement, his Brooch 1908 overrides this statement. In this piece, instead of function the importance of materials he adopted came first. He carefully balanced elements of colour and shape. Using semi precious stones the brooch was indented to convey beauty rather than wealth and status. Following Wilks statement, this shows that Modernists did not always have to conform to a set standard to produce good design,
The aesthetics and ideology of Modernist ideas have shaped the environment we live in, its characteristics and tendency towards simplification have transformed globally into a visual language that we still refer to today.
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