POST 10: Post Modernism



House VI / Peter Eisenman
Interior of House VI / Peter Eisenman

 Post Modernism is a movement following Modernism. In the 70s, the West suffers from the first oil embargo, which causes a worldwide crisis leading to a global recession. During that time, there was a loss of hope and optimism and Modernism was not viewed as great anymore. But in the 80s, the economy started to get better and people as a reaction to that economy boost, consumed a lot more for themselves by trying to grab all they can from the past. In furniture and object design of the Post modernism era would be seen as a source of communication of some ideas, trying to pass on a message. The furniture did not have a functional aspect of it. We would describe furniture and objects more vibrant in color and more sculptural. It is also important to notate that in the 90s, there was a rise of environmentalists due to the concerns of the excessive materialistic culture that has been going on which led to recycling with the DIY ("do it yourself") activity.

Post modernism not only applied to furniture design, but to architecture, fashion, philosophy and art. There were quite a few movements, design styles or groups of people representative of the Post Modernism period. These groups were mostly at first trying to abolish Modernism and its strict rationality. These movements or groups included the Memphis movement, Deconstructivism and the New York Five.

During the Post Modernism era, we also notice that there were some technological advances made which changed the dynamic worldwide since people could communicate in a global way and that led people know a bit more about other cultures. Those technological advancements were also changing the working environment within the office due to the invention of the portable phone and the personal computer.

What is fascinating is that all those things are actually still relatively new and that today we still are in a world that likes consumption and change with the evolution of new technological advancements.

Hourglass, 1984-Peter Shire via North Magnetic Pole
Hourglass, 1984-Peter Shire
Richard Meier, Jubilee Church. Rome, Italy
Richard Meier, Jubilee Church. Rome, Italy


Current Applications:

The Paris Philarmonic by Ateliers Jean Nouvel in Paris, France
The Paris Philarmonic by Ateliers Jean Nouvel.
2 | These Memphis-Inspired House Goods Are A Nostalgic Nod To The '80s | Co.Design | business + design
An interior heavily inspired by the Memphis movement.


   ONE STEP FURTHER...

Michael Graves (1934-2015) was an American architect, a professor and a product/furniture designer from Indianapolis. He was a Modernist before becoming a Post Modernist and was a member of the NY Five. He was a successful and known architect as he won 3 big awards:
National Medal of Arts (1999)
AIA Gold Medal(2001) Driehaus Architecture Prize (2012)

He liked strong colors and forms and like to embrace more decorative detail. His style was eccentric, but liked classical architecture. he believed that Humanism is the basic tenant of design and that design should be available to the masses.

Yellow plastic thermos-jug Euclid on orange stands and with orange cover design Michael Graves 1994 executed by Alessi / Italy
Yellow plastic thermos-jug Euclid on orange stands and with orange cover
Portland Municipal Services Building, Oregon, by Michael Graves
Portland Municipal Services Building, Oregon


Comments

  1. amberbuieApril 16, 2018 at 7:52 PM

    Martha,

    I'm really glad you included that these pieces had a much more sculptural side instead of functionality. These designs were used more so to appeal to the eye. In your summary, you included how these buildings and objects were relatively new on a linear timeline. I think we forget that just because something is included in a textbook, it does not mean something took place thousands of years ago. I very much enjoyed your pictures for your examples. I love the look of Deconstruction in buildings.

    ReplyDelete

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