had an influence on many things we encounter everyday. The object I chose to analyze is the lamp. In present day, you find all forms and shapes of lamps. Walk into IKEA and you'll soon know what I am talking about. Lamps take the form of circles, squares, rectangles,
liquid lava, and the list goes on. Edison's first lamp was invented in 1879. The picture to the left showcases that first lamp.
As you can see it's very different from the lamps we decorate our homes and rooms with today. No lamp shade or cord are attached to this lamp. As the 19th century turned, interior design of the houses became important. Tiffany style lamps of stained glass shades over the light bulb became a popular decoration as well as functional light source. Modernism was taking over in even the most subtle ways and continues in today's designs as well (picture right of a mod style lamp).Edison lamp source: http://heckeranddecker.wordpress.com/2009/04/20/speed-of-light/
Ikea lamp source: http://knockoffs.olya.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/pendantlamp_ikea.jp
The building I chose is the Sears Tower in Chicago. Not only is this building close to my heart because I lived so close to Chicago, but it is a picture of pure majesty. It takes over the city's skyline like a brewing storm. For the longest time, it was the tallest building in the world. The modern aspects of this building are present in its ejecting squares off of the structure adding
dimension and movement to the eye. The Sears Tower offers a skydeck on the 103rd floor out of the 110 floors this structure comprises. Being on that 103rd floor is the most exhilarating feeling to me. Everything below you is so minuscule and peaceful. I know that this wasn't built just so people could view Chicago from above, but the skydeck is such a gift to people. It brings you to a completely different place when you are standing over the entire city. The feeling is almost as if you are not even in the world anymore; it's just you and the city at your feet (literally). Such a vast modification to the very first skyscrapers that ironically started in Chicago. To the right...a view from the skydeck.... The space and place I chose is simply any blank room. Your favorite place or as discussed in class our "architecture of happiness" is dependent upon the person's perogative. The place you have in mind is inspiration for this space. A space is an empty room that is waiting be filled to create a place. BUT before this place is created it is a space that can be altered and decorated in any way with the sky being the limit. This concept holds true and definitely was
present during the 19th century. Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture was built and then filled with all his handcrafted furniture. He took a space and created a special place, just as we do today. We fill it with our memories, objects, and pictures that make us who we are. That is why each space is different; no one person has the same path of life. Modernism broke all the rules of structure and guidelines. Design and architecture do have standards that can be chosen to follow or you can break the status quo and create what you envision. I chose an empty room to signify that it can turn into anything the "architect" desires. I think people of the 19th century needed to work hard towards modernism because of the changing world around them. New inventions were being created quickly, dress for men and women was changing drastically, war was ending and beginning...it only made sense for architecture and design to change as well. Although inevitable that it would be altered, people's needs were changing which meant their housing needed to upgrade as well. Morals and culture were being influenced as well, which transferred over to their thoughts on architecture. Throwing out the traditional housing layouts reflected this movement. They were moving towards a newer richer lifestyle and their homes would be nothing short of mirroring that image.
you know Amy modernism is a touchy subject, but i love the classical new...
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