Curatorial

Infinitas

"A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away" (de Saint-Exupéry, A., 1939, pp60.)

The piece Infinitas was designed to express fluidity in form and explore the idea of simplistic perfection. The organic nature of the curves of the piece looks to be perfect, however on a closer inspection it is clear that these curves are intertwining and are by no means perfect. Yet it is the imperfection that makes this piece perfect. The simplistic design in the form of an infinity symbol has no need for extra ornament; its simplicity enhances its aesthetics.

Inspiration for this piece was taken from two precedents, one modelling straight lines and the other fluid form. Firstly, a piece by Kazimir Malevich, a Russian painter and art theoretician who was a pioneer of geometric abstract art and played an important role in the Suprematism art movement. this piece challenges the viewer to look with unobjective eyes to see the purest form of feeling. Inspiration came from the simplicity of this piece because as de Saint-Exupéry said; perfection is achieved when there is nothing left to take away. (1939)

The second precedent image is a piece by Zaha Hadid, an Iraqi-British architect whose style can be described as contemporary, organic and innovative. The Vortexx Chandelier brings together organic lines and fluidty in curves which created a foundation for the design  Infinitas, whose curved lines have a raw beauty to them.

 

Straight line precedent image: Malevich, K. Black square. (1915).

Fluid form precedent image: Hadid, Z. Vortexx Chandelier. (2005)

References:

Hadid, Z. (2005). Vortexx Chandelier. [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.enlightermagazine.com/projects/vortexx-light-zaha-hadid

Malevich, K. (1914). Non-objective Composition. [Oil on canvas]. Retrieved from http://en.wahooart.com/A55A04/w.nsf/Opra/BRUE-8DP8ZK

de Saint-Exupéry, A. (1930). Terre des home. France. Éditions Gallimard.

 

Research Statement and Annotated Bibliography

The research topic that I will be investigating is Neo-Classical Architecture as it is a fundamental style throughout history.

1. A book with a single author

 Palmer, A. L. (2011). Historical Dictionary of Neoclassical Art and Architecture. Maryland, United States of America: Scarecrow Press.

This book will be helpful in researching Neo-Classicism as it gives a concise overview of Neo-Classicism that focuses in on major artists and architects in the 18th century that influenced the style of the period. Studying major artists will help understand the reasons behind the style.

2. A scholarly journal article

Standen, E. A. (1925). Rococo and Neo-Classicism. Apollo, 114(233), 36. 

This journal article is appropriate as it highlights the differences between Rococo architecture and Neo-Classical architecture. It tells of the restrained style of the design and looks at the geometric style of the architecture. 

3. An edited book

Toman, R. (2007). Neo-Classicism and Romanticism: Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, Drawings. Koln, Germany. Ullmann Publishers. 

This edited book is relevant for the subject matter as it tells about the most important achievements in Neo-Classical architecture which is important when studying the design period. Learning about the major achievements will tell us more about the reasons behind the style of architecture.

4. A website

Galuzin, A. (2008). Neo-Classical Architecture. Retrieved from http://www.worldofleveldesign.com/categories/architecture/neo-classical/neoclassical_architecture.php

This website is a suitable source for researching Neo-Classical design as it gives a succinct summary of the main features of the design period. It also has many images which means the researcher can see for themselves what the author is writing about. It has annotated views of the features of Neo-Classical architecture such as the columns which helps understand the main components.

5. An image

Church, F. E. (1871). The Parthenon [Oil on canvas]. Retrieved from ARTstor database.

This image relates to the research topic as it is the essence of the Neo-Classical design period. This image gives a visual of the style of architecture that is being studied and shows the common features of Neo-Classical architecture such as columns, pediments and statues.