Ornaments versus minimalism
Trends & styles - chapter 3
What is the difference between 'ornamental' and 'minimal'?
ORNAMENT
a thing used or serving to make something look more attractive but usually having no practical purpose
Examples: accessories, details, serifs, curls, wavy shapes, extra lines. Appearance: elegant, luxurious, excessive, vintage, retro.
MINIMALISM
a style in art, design and architecture that uses the smallest range of materials and colours possible, and only very simple shapes or forms
Examples: primary colours, straight lines, geometric shapes (square, rectangle, circle, triangle). Appearance: simple, straightforward, 'negative space'.
Ornaments: examples
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WHAT Elegant woman in Coca Cola ad; fan & flowers; glass of cola on pedestal.
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HOW Figurative style (photo-like);luxury & ornaments.
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WHY > 1905 - mass production: need for advertising (I.R.). > Celebrity: opera singer Lillian Nordica. > Product: hardly noticeable. > Concept: product for the 'rich & famous' > Inspiration: gothic (=medieval) style; Victorian style.
Analysis
Coca Cola ad
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WHAT Woman in Job ad;long hair, eyes closed, cigarette.
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HOW Figurative style (drawing-like);sensuality & ornaments;
whiplash curve.
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WHY > 1896 - mass production: need for advertising (I.R.).
> Alphonse Mucha: Czech illustrator > Concept: seductive woman, connected to product. > Inspiration: 'end of the century' vibe: excitement; Art Nouveau.
Analysis
Job ad
Minimalism:
example
Analysis Mondriaan painting
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WHAT Squares, rectangles; white, grey, black, red, yellow & blue.
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HOW Abstract style; geometric shapes; primary colours.
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WHY > 1921 - 'Composition with Large Red Plane, Yellow, Black, Grey and Blue'
> Piet Mondriaan: Dutch painter > Concept: abstract image connected to spiritual meaning > Style: 'De stijl', from the modern art movement (a radically new art!)
