COW

''COW Theo van Doesburg, aesthetically transformed Subject, 1917, Bauhaus-Archive, Berlin.''

Here, Van Doesburg manipulated a picture of a cow from a pencil drawing to one of a more abstract design. He first went along a similar style of Picasso (cubism) and then (last picture) ended on a style very similar to that of De Stijl (Neo-Plasticism). The jump from one picture of the cow to another was referred to as an obsurd one. It is there to point out the importance of abstract art and its significance. 

The first picture is there to clarify the last picture, as it might not being as evident as the other two what the artist is trying to portray. Having them next to eachother also creates a great contrast between the different styles of art. The first picture is more traditional and it is easy to interpret as it is obvious to the eye what the painter is trying to portray whereas in the other stages it might not be as clear as they are 'leaning' more towards modern art. One wouldn't normally think to portray a cow in such a way as the last picture. The different pictures/stages are showing us different ''intentions and effects. however strange they may be''.

pereirdasilva, 2010, COW Theo van Doesburg. [online] Available at: <http://pereiradasilva.blogspot.com/2010_10_01_archive.htm> [Accessed 18 November 2012]

Take a Seat

Basic info:

Alessandro Mendini - Proust Armchair - Studio Alchimia

1970's in Italy 

Anti - design

was critical of advanced technology & consumerism 

Rejected functionalism, favoured a fun/emotional relationship between user and object

There is transformation in this object because it isn't like all the chairs created at the time. Its full of life and colour. It was more about the design than the actual functionality of the chair. It was something that one would notice easily and probably have a lot to say about it. obviously this was good marketing for a designer - word of mouth. Unfortunately this could have been both good and bad. 

The print itself is very geometrical but not symmetrical. It looks made up of small squares with different colours. The texture looks like something is made of glass which make it impossible for the user to sit on, but this chair is just made of fabric and its just the illusion it gives. 

''Originally created as a rebuke to austere modernism while redefining design’s dualism of good and bad taste, the chair is an icon of 20th century Postmodern design.''

''Inspired by the French writer Marcel Proust’s theory of continual flux, the past is as relevant as the present. Reviving decoration and historicism, the Proust chair has been interpreted using Impressionist brush strokes with its rococo detailing.''  (The Proust armchair, 2011, Geoffry Gertz)

''We can define 'haute femme' as bringing back the romanticism and plush comfort of eras past and adding whimsical modern twists. Perhaps the first person to introduce this idea was Italian designer Alessandro Mendini in 1978 when he came out with his Proust chair (Poltrona di Proust) as a part of his Redesigns Furniture series. He believed that modern design was running out of new ideas and turned to redecorating classics as a solution. Here, he painted a Louis XV chair with imagery that evokes the work of 19th century writer Marcel Proust.''

^http://stylebust.com/2010/08/07/sassy-seating-more-haute-femme-chairs/

Sources of information and pictures:

sparked, 2011, the-proust-armchair. [online] Available at: <http://www.sparked.biz/2011/04/21/the-proust-armchair/  18/11/12^http://stylebust.com/2010/08/07/sassy-seating-more-haute-femme-chairs/ 18/11/12> [Accessed 18 November 2012]

sparked, 2010, the-proust-armchair. [online] Available at: <http://www.sparked.biz/2011/04/21/the-proust-armchair/> [Accessed 18 November 2012]

Homes Inspired by Nature

Below is a house I came across when looking for transformation design when it came to architecture.  This house is built to resemble Cover Leaves. The design is very harmonious and captures ones attention straight away due to its unusual innovative design. To add on to the effect of the ''natural look of nature'', so to speak, the house is built out of organic materials. This helps give off the look of nature and blend in in its surroundings (trees/forest/woodlands etc). The house is build of mostly wood so it blends in with the trees and looks like its part of nature. The colours used are also very natural and it lacks shocking colours so that it doesn't cause conflict with its surroundings. The house is also roughly the same height as the trees surrounding giving it even more of a blend. I think it is rather impressive how such a big building can be transformed in such a way that looks like part of its surroundings.

CNBC, 2012, Homes Inspired by Nature, [online] Available at: <http://www.cnbc.com/id/46799791/Homes_Inspired_by_Nature> [Accessed last 15 December 2012]

Savoy Vase

Savoy Vase 

savoy vases by alvar aalto for iittala 1936

''The Savoy vase belongs to the best-known products of Finnish designers. For many people the glass vase, with its asymmetric shape and freely curving tapering walls represents the quintessential qualities of Finnish design: originality, straightforwardness, and aesthetic sophistication''. (janmichl.com, 1991, Alvar Aalto)

(http://janmichl.com/eng.aalto.html)


The Savoy vase looks as though it got its inspiration from the River Fjords. Its design is made to look as though it has common features. The sides of the vase being the valley sides/land and the middle shaped as though it is the river. It is therefore clear that the vase has been transformed to resemble the River Fjord.


The Savoy vase is also transparent which enables you to see whatever is put inside it. Just like between the high hills your can see what lies beneath, the River Fjord. The river which is obviously made of water is also transparent. It is also said that the shape of the vase is inspired by the dress of a Sami woman. It is made of glass because it gives off a harmonious look. It looks clean, sophisticated and well designed with a 'clean' finish. It was initially made of wood but didn't give off the effect the designers had in mind so they scrapped it. It is available in a variety of colours and is still very popular untill this day.''In recent times the vase has achieved iconic status, inspiring adaptations and appropriations by contemporary designers including Jan Ctvrtnik, Maxim Velcovsky and Tobi Wong.'' (Wikipedia, 2012, Aalto Vase).

 janmichl.com,2012,Alvaar alto's savoy vase [online] Available at: <http://janmichl.com/eng.aalto.html> [Accessed 12 October 2012]
www.google/images

Bzzz

Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2013 Runway Show

The theme Sarah Barton was inspired by for the spring 2013 Alexander McQueen collection during paris Fashion week was bees.  When one thinks of bees, it is usually yellow and black stripes that pop into ones head. Burton decided to be a bit more creative and go around all the cliché ideas. She used lots of other things one would relate to bees to create her designs. She innovitaly used the beekepers veils as hats and other sorts of headwear and it is now one of her specialities.  These publications, even though not very obvious, had several sexual undertones in this case. What people considered to be the best part is that she created this collection as a whole more than each piece on its own. They work together.

The music also helped set the scene and create the atmosphere. The background music chosen gives off a shivery vibe. The kind of music that would play in a movie at a moment when everyone is on edge, confused, or something about to happen. At another point of the video we see that the music changed and the instruments being used create the sound a bee makes itself, perfectly setting the scene and making one feel as though s/he is surrounded by/hearing/ seeing bees. The soundtrack used was made by actual bees. 

One also notices how the background lighting had to do with the theme of the bees. The lights on the walls had the same design as that of a bee hive. Even though other colours were used and not only yellow it gave emphasis on the designs of Barton, that even though the runway was on bees, she tried to make it slightyl different by changing a few things and avoiding the cliche look. The lighting used is mostly bright, making it lively. The beginning of the catwalk Sarah Barton used very bold and dynamic garments as they start to evolve into something more flawy and colourful. 

Fashiontv, 2012, Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2013 Runway Show [online] Available at: <http://www.fashiontv.com/videos> [Accessed 15 December 2012]

Youtube, 2012, Alexander McQueen Spring/summer 2013 Runway Show [online] Available at: <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kguc2OOTxo> [Accessed 15 December 2012]

http://princeofscots.com/news/2012/10/03/detailed-photos-of-alexander-mcqueen-spring-summer-2013/

www.stylebistro.com, 2012, Paris Spring 2013- Alexander Mcqueen. [Online] Available at:<http://www.stylebistro.com/runway/Paris+Fashion+Week+Spring+2013/Alexander+McQueen/Details/3UrUZoyEMPm [and]
http://www.stylebistro.com/runway/Paris+Fashion+Week+Spring+2013/Alexander+McQueen/Details/azLexWjaiWh> [Accessed at 15 December 2012]

womenfashiontrends.com, 2012,Women Fashion Trends 2012-2013, Latest Style Fashion Collections Shows For Women 2012-2013 [Online} Available at: <http://www.womenfashiontrends.com/2012/10/alexander-mcqueen-spring-2013-fashion-show/alexander-mcqueen-spring-2013-fashion-21/> [Accessed 15 December 2012]

T R A N S F O R M A T I O N

to change in form, appearance, or structure; metamorphose

to change in condition, nature, or character; convert.

to change into another substance; transmute.

ART

FILM

DESIGN