Blog Post Week 2

A class I took about the modernist movement is where I learned most of what I know about design, so many of the images throughout this reading resembled ones I have studied in the past. I enjoy the sleek aesthetic that is achieved by the design trope of 2d archaic shapes paired with sans-serif, and often chunky, typography. 

Image result for besuchsanzeige"
Bayer, H. 1925. Besuchsanzeige post card. Accessed from https://www.moma.org/collection/works/7640 on January 21st, 2020

This postcard is a very good example of what I am referring to. This style of design speaks to something deeper than labelled icons that could possibly vary from culture to culture. Therefore, it is a style that does not discriminate. Its simplicity can speak to any human, from anywhere, at any age.

Speaking to a different sensibility, I also really enjoy looking at photograms. I think this is a very creative way to create images that embraced new technologies of the time. By using light-sensitive paper, artists are able to expose overlapping objects creating a sort of hybrid between photo and abstract shapes. This allows for all the freedom of photography while also creating a sleek overall graphic, with stark values. Here is one created by Piet Zwart.

Image result for zwart photograms"
Zwart, P. 1929. Design for an advertisement with photogram.
accessed from https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/427138345879078805/ on January 21st, 2020

I really enjoyed the photomontages created by John Heartfield. The examples shown in the text book were able to say so much with so little. My favorite example was the picture of the butthead. The images fit so well together yet were also a complete juxtaposition. It was a very well made image, and a perfect introduction to the concept of photomontage.
Image result for John Heartfield butt with ears"
Bosshard H. R. 1978. Fotomonteur. Accessed from https://postermuseum.com/products/fotomonteur-4 on January 21st, 2020.

Comments

  1. Peter DJanuary 21, 2020 at 10:19 PM

    Modernism is one movement that I have not been able to fully understand, but your examination goes a long way to shining light on the subject. Modernism often seems to avoid needless clutter and meaningless mess and cut straight to the message with the design--something that is not commonly found today, especially among advertisements which rely on flashiness and some hook to bring the reader's attention to bear. These first and third piece especially bring focus directly to the messages, and the third, while somewhat bizarre and surrealist, nevertheless speaks to the newly realized capacities of art in the "modern" technological landscape of the time.

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  2. Ashton ColaireJanuary 21, 2020 at 11:22 PM

    Modernism is something that I really appreciate as a designer. I can really resonate with the almost minimalist approach that comes with modernism. Only using the bare minimum, the canvas is free of unnecessary bits and it conveys its message to the reader quickly and concisely.

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