On view through July 29, 2007
The designed world in which we live was largely created by Modernism, which is best identified as a loose collection of ideas that developed simultaneously in different countries rather than as a single movement. The unadorned, geometric forms, abstracted shapes, and bold colors of Modernist art and design are unmistakable, seen in everything from teacups to skyscrapers, from paintings to living room fixtures and furniture. But behind the look and forms of Modernism lay a set of radical ideas and conditions. This exhibition explores how the movement developed, what principles defined it, and some of the themes that characterized it, including Utopia, the machine and mass production, nature and the healthy body, and national identities.
The author H.G. Wells, writing in 1933, knew that he was witnessing a time of unprecedented transformation. People were living in a new era, and given the extraordinary powers science had delivered, Wells saw that humanity might either perfect the world or use its new capabilities to bring about total annihilation. This was a nervous and frenetic time that fell between the grim bookends of two World Wars. Technologically, it was not an especially innovative period. The electric light bulb, the automobile, the airplane, the skyscraper, the radio, and the telephone all predate World War I. It was, however, a time of development and dispersal rather than invention, giving rise to widespread use of modern technologies.
This news message is supported by The Bazaar, a marketplace to buy and sell creative objects. Earn more revenue by selling your prints, downloadable images, or custom products. Set up your store today and stand a chance to have your products featured on DesignTAXI, towards millions of lovers of creative content!
