Week 2: Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau went through Europe from 1890-1910.  Art Nouveau actually means "New Art" which fit the design style because the idea of Art Nouveau was to completely start new.  Horta, Guimard, and Van de Velde wanted to rebel against previous styles of design.  Arts and Crafts was the style right after Victorian and it was still affected and influenced by history.  Art Nouveau takes a new look at design and takes its inspiration from nature.  Everything was affected by nature and the movement.  Designs became more curvilinear and more abstract since they were based off vines, flowers, insects, etc.

Belgium and France were the leading countries in this style.  Victor Horta was the leading architect and designer by far in Belgium and created many designs in Brussels.  He brought to Art Nouveau new materials such as iron and glass.  Iron was used as railings and brought intricate detail to the room with many styles of curves and movement.  Horta also designed patterns on floors, walls, and ceilings often using mosaics to represent color and nature.  In France, Paris was one of the most popular cities that used Art Nouveau.  Hector Guimard was able to leave his mark in Paris using the style of Art Nouveau.  His biggest project was designing and installing lights, signage, and entrance to the Paris Metro Subway Station.  It is still standing there today and in great condition.  Looking at the entrance, Guimard used iron to create the structures and painted them a blue-green color that reminded people of bronze that would turn to that color once aged.  In his design forms you can see how he used flower stalks and uncoiled ferns as his inspiration as you see them take shape.  Guimard valued harmony and continuity, and you can see that in how he designed furniture and other structures in the style of Art Nouveau.

In these pictures, you can see how it is inspired from nature and the movements that occur.  The top picture was designed by Horta as you can see his use in iron railings.  The lower picture is one of the entrances to the Paris Metro Subway Station which was designed Guimard.

These two pictures of modern applications of the Art Nouveau style.  In both pictures you can see the curves and naturalistic designs that occur within the designed space.  The picture on the right shows the curvilinear style in the window and door frames which was popular in Art Nouveau.

ONE STEP FURTHER:

When reading this chapter, I was intrigued by Antoni Gaudi and his design style.  He took Art Nouveau to a whole new level.  He was so taken by curvilinear that he hardly had any straight lines in his design.  When looking at one of his designs your imagination bursts with color and it is amazing to think about how he was able to accomplish such a beautiful piece of work.  Casa Batllo was one of his most famous works.  Mosaics were applied to not just the interior, but also the exterior and even roof of the house.  The house also tells the legend of Saint George and the slaying of a dragon.  You can see the dragon back and scales on the roof and also the sword of Saint George cut through the skin.