This week there were many different aspects of the evolution of art and design. Beginning with first developed photograph by Joseph Niepce of 1826. Talking about the revolution of photography which would go on to lead into moving images, which consisted of just multiple still images moving in a fast pace.
One of the more significant parts of history within the development of stop motion was the creation of the painting ‘Horse in motion’. This series of images was created by Eadweard Muybridge with the intention of a horse running in motion, the device was made up of 12 different stages and connected to 12 different cameras via trip wire. The images would spin really fast and create an illusion as if the horse was actually running.
How a 19th-Century Photographer Made the First 'GIF' of a Galloping Horse
Following the first iteration of moving image I also learned about the influence of japonism. I learned that one of the most popular and significant pieces was ‘The great wave of Kanazawa (1829)’. The biggest feature that inspired artists through the introduction of Japonism was specifically the use of flat design, meaning there was a lack of depth to the art.
I also learned that there were many artists influenced by this movement with the most famous one being Vincent Van Gogh. Originally, Vincent began his influence by just out right copying/ recreating existing pieces of art such as his ‘Flowering Plum Tree (1887).’
Van Gogh and Japan: the fascination that changed Vincent's style
With Japosim having such a massive impact on the artistic community with it's influence would also go on to spawn many other movements throughout the eras of design, such as, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Aestheticism, Art Nouveau, and Tonalism.
Going through the different years by each significant movement I learned a lot of interesting facts on the arts and crafts movement. The arts and crafts movement was created with the purpose of promoting simple items such as furniture, with the intended revolution against mass produced items.
When learning about the arts and crafts movement I learned that one of the key figures and the person known to begin this movement, William Morris, who was known for his Victorian poetry. William is also known for his creation and designs that had such an influence in this movement, creating the iconic flower wallpapers along with other types of furniture that was used.
Another artist who is linked to morris, the arts and crafts movement, and morris’ work was actually his mentor, John Ruskin. Ruskins part in the arts and crafts movement was primarily to promote it. Despite being a critic he believed factory-made works to be "dishonest.”
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Larkspur, wallpaper design, 1872 by William Morris
This week was a very fulfilling and knowledgeable week where I learned the origins and stories of many famous artists and in particular the eras of past art movements such as what is featured, art Nouveau and The Glasgow School. Everything I learned this week I plan on using what I learnt this week in future as influences for any future work. What I mean by this is I ca also have these examples here for any ideation for future projects or even attempting to recreate work in one of these movement styles.