RENDERING - Second Unit

For this first section of the course, I decided to render a modern interior that reflects aspects of the Italian Renaissance. The room I selected is from an article on an amazing home featured in Elle Decor. You can read the article here: http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/interiors/gerard-tremolet-normandy-home

Spanish Renaissance - Discussion

I chose the two Samanthas in our course to discuss their blog posts for this time period.  

Samantha N showed two examples of furniture from the Spanish Renaissance time frame. The furniture items during this time show lots of craftsmanship. The iron detailing and carvings look very time consuming - and it creates a very rich look.  

Samantha F talked about the castle in Spain, La Mota. She mentioned that it really looks like a castle that we would all think of. It's true - the shapes of the turrets and the crenellations (alternating blocks and openings along the tops of walls) are very castle-like.

If you wish to read their blog posts, you can find them here: 

http://www.history1sjn.blogspot.com/2014/03/spanish-renaissance.html

http://www.history1skf.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-spanish-period.html

SPANISH RENAISSANCE - NEOCLASSIC

The Spanish Renaissance was typified by two styles, one is called the Plateresque style (silversmith's style). It is a combination of Renaissance, Gothic, and Mudejar (Moorish) design styles. It's highly ornamental and includes lots of exterior detail. 

 
The other is the Desornamentado or Escorialense style - it is a reaction to the Plateresque style and thus features austerity - designs are unornamented and plain. 

Another general feature of Spanish Renaissance design would be the elaborate grille-work.  The following photos are some I took in Madrid of the interesting building facades. They feature iron work over the windows and entrances.

 Influence on Modern Design

It's still quite easy to find examples of the characteristics in modern designs. Leather-work, nail heads, and iron work are all reminiscent of this time period.

Italian Renaissance - Discussion

For this unit, I read Flor's and Katie's blog posts.

I loved the video that Flor posted about the Renaissance. It was really interesting and a unique way to talk about the time period and the major accomplishments during the time. 

Katie talked about Michelangelo and his influence. I find it fascinating to think about being hired as a personal artist to a family for a large project. The time and skill it would take to complete some of the projects seems so overwhelming that I can't imagine that type of responsibility today.

http://www.history1fh.blogspot.com/2014/03/italian-renaissanceneoclassic.html

http://www.history1ked.blogspot.com/2014/03/italian-renaissance.html

ITALIAN RENAISSANCE - NEOCLASSIC

The Renaissance in Italy has always really fascinated me. I have primarily been interested in it from a visual perception perspective. I have done research in the past on how we perceive the space represented in art. The relationship to the Renaissance and this research is that perspective was first used during this time to more accurately portray the physical world. Any examination of space represented in artwork begins with the study of how perspective developed.

It’s also really fascinating that during this time period the focus on the interior setting of homes and buildings and furniture becomes more developed. My favorite aspect of interior decoration that is seen throughout this time period is trompe l'oeil. This technique was used, especially on large ceiling paintings, to mimic architecture or other three dimensional qualities of represented scenes. 

Influence on Modern Design

When we see the influence of Italian Renaissance design on modern interiors, it often is shown as lavish and high-quality detail in rooms or furniture. 

Americas - Discussion

Ali commented on an aspect of the pre-Columbian American civilizations that I find really fascinating. They are still mysteries and things unsolved. We have clues and can infer what life was like for these people during those times, but it's all conjecture. It is really interesting to me to think about the possibilities about why these civilizations ended or were abandoned.

Chanel described the Olmec civilization, the "rubber people." Before the lecture and reading, I had no idea that they used rubber during this time. I thought that rubber originated in Africa or South Asia. I didn't realize that the rubber tree it is actually indigenous to South America was exported to these other places that produce it.

You can see their blogs here: 

http://www.history1and.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-americas.html

http://www.history1cac.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-americas.html

AMERICAS

The design of the pre-Columbian civilizations in North, Central, and South America are not commonly thought of when discussing the history of Interior Design. However, they are important and influential to modern design. 

One of the pre-Columbian cultures that interests me the most is that Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu was built by the Incas on a high mountain ridge, with dry-stacked stone walls. The craftsmen were skilled at this type of construction technique and the walls have withstood the test of time. The Inca had no written language, so they left no record of why they built the site or how they used it before it was abandoned in the early 16th century.

The important structures there are the Temple of the Sun, the Principle Temple, and the Temple with Three Windows.

Construction allowed structures to withstand seismic activity and to prevent flooding and mudslides. Also, the trapezoidal shape of windows and doorways helped prevent collapse during an earthquake. 

Interestingly, the Incas didn't use the wheel in constructing Machu Picchu, but knew about it - because they used it in toys. 

Influence on Modern Design

The influence of the design of the Incas can still be seen in modern homes. Here are examples of the dry-stack stone construction and trapezoid-shaped windows.