Arts and Crafts
Gabriella Louw JLGQM5XS6
The blog was created with the purpose of making a visual collection of art movements that will let the reader better understand the ideologies and aesthetic ideals of the Arts and Crafts Movement.
Background
The Arts and Crafts Movement was roughly started in the 1860's. It got its name from the English organisation, Arts and Crafts Exhibition, that begun in 1887. Its founders like (William Morris), were some of the first people to critique on the negative aspect of Industrial Revolution, that was taking place at that point in time. The Industrial Revolution resulted in urbanization and mass production. The Arts and Crafts Movement was based on the concept of revolting against poor quality of industrialized mass products. This revived traditional artistic craftsmanship.
Characteristics
"Turning artist into craftsmen and craftsmen into artists", as stated by (Walter Crane,1892). The Movement focused on utility and aesthetics. Some of these aesthetic characteristics would be elongated forms, repeating design and using Neo-Gothic references. Themes used in craftsmanship were simplicity, functional, natural and harmony. They would emphasize the natural qualities of materials (Truth to Materials), used simple forms, natural materials and filled the entire surface of the artwork with detail (Horror Vacui).
Artifact used as Example
Tulip and Rose textile design by Morris & Co.(1876)
The Tulip and Rose curtain is an example of the kind of textiles that William's decorative arts firm (Morris & Co) created. The dense floral pattern are considered to be natural forms, the flat forms of the flowers help emphasize the natural rough texture of the wool. William once stated that for something to be beautiful that was created by man it must be in accord with nature (Morris, 1882), this emphasized the importance of the natural elements in the Arts and Crafts Movement seeing as Morris was a founder. They have also clearly used the Horror Vacui technique by filling the entire surface with the textile.
Contemporary Art
Floral pattern textile by Elena Karnitskaya (date unknown)
This floral pattern design by Elena Karnitskaya is a vector. This textile still made use of natural repetitive form as well as Horror Vacui, decorating the entire space. They also make use of elongated forms just like the Arts and Crafts artists did many years ago. This shows us how modern artists are still influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement, but have adjusted it to fit their modern style. A modern spin on a classic style.
References
Crane, W. (1892). The Claim of Decorative Art. London: Lawrence and Bullen.
Dačić, A. (2018, Martch 8). Arts and Crafts Movement - When Women United in Creativity. Retrieved from Widewalls: https://www.widewalls.ch/magazine/arts-and-crafts-movement-women-artists
Taggart, E. (2018, January 28). Meet William Morris: The Most Celebrated Designer of the Arts & Crafts Movement. Retrieved from My Modern Met: https://mymodernmet.com/arts-and-crafts-movement-william-morris/
Taggart, E. (2018, Martch 24). The Revival of the Arts and Crafts Movement and the Artisans Behind It. Retrieved from My Modern Met: https://mymodernmet.com/arts-and-crafts-movement-revival/
William, M. (1882). Hopes and Fears for Art. Boston: Roberts Brothers.
Images References:
https://www.theartstory.org/images20/works/arts_and_crafts_2.jpg
https://previews.123rf.com/images/songbird/songbird1901/songbird190100006/118229414-design-of-modern-fabric-pattern-floral-pattern-for-your-design-illustration-wrapping-paper-graphic-d.jpg
