This
week in class, we learned about art movements. There have been
various art movements through time. Art movements influence and are
influenced by society and culture. Two art movements that I like are
Art Deco and Gothic Art.
Art
Deco is
a movement that originated in France in the 1920’s. It is marked by
strong, clean lines, graphical motifs and symmetry. Clean lines and
simple, bold colours are a trademark of this movement. I love the
clean lines and neat structure of the art deco style; the style is
sharp and clean, which is well suited to buildings and structures, as
well as graphical paintings and drawings. Art Deco is influenced by
futuristic art movements and others that feature clean lines and
shapes, including cubism.
Art
Deco has heavily influenced architecture. The spire of the Chrysler
Building in New York City features elements of Art Deco. The building
was completed on October
16, 1929. The 185-foot spire, with its reflective plates and
symmetrical lines, elevated the building, achieving a total height of
1048 feet.During the day, the plates gleam in the sunlight. At
night, lights from surrounding buildings illuminate the building, and
it is an irreplaceable feature of the New York City skyline. Source
The Chrysler Building, New York City.
Art
Deco paintings often include elements such as the chevron, bold
colours as well as clean lines. Zigzags and lightning bolts are also
common features in art-deco inspired artworks.
The
musician by Tamara
de Lempicka
The
Christ the Redeemer statue is the largest Art Deco statue in the
world. It is located in Brazil and is 99 feet tall.
Christ the Redeemer Statue, Brazil.
Gothic
Art
originated during the Middle ages in Europe. The term was first used
during the Renaissance, and was considered a modern style of art. The
word Gothic is derived from the Goths, an East Germanic tribe that
participated in the fall of the Roman Empire, and the beginnings of
Medieval Europe. Gothic architecture is most present in churches and
Cathedrals.
Orvieto
Cathedral in Orvieto, Umbria, is a classic example of Gothic
Architecture. It features pointed arches, a rose (circular) window
and mosaics on the facade.
Orvieto Cathedral, Umbria, Central Italy.
Gargoyles
are stone figures that are often seen on the roofs of buildings. They
are often built in the form of animals or imps, and may be humorous
or frightening. These gargoyles used to be decorative water
spouts;
the water from rain gutters would flow out from the mouth of the
structure, which is the origin of the name; gargouille
means
throat in French.
A Gargoyle.
Gothic
art is also found in the form of frescoes, stained glass paintings
and panel paintings. Many of these paintings were created to decorate
churches, and feature religious symbolism, including scenes from the
Bible. Later Gothic paintings featured still life and real life
events, including nature, people and plants.
The
stained-glass rose window of the Chartes Cathedral.
