History of Graphic Art: September 2012

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Art Nouveau and Bing

Bing Screening Notes:

Bing's impression in the art world caused an entire movement

Art Nouveau

Siegfried Bing:

Dedicated his life's work not in the traditional standard of art during his time, but in finding and combining the beauty in all art from around the world as a whole.
Major Japanese art collector
As well as a visionary art dealer.
Promoted Japanese art in the West
Major defender of Art Nouveau in France.

Bing's Gallery:

"L'art Nouvaeu"
Gave the movement it's name and brought it to the public.

Bing went to Japan in 1880.

Magazine

"Le Japan Artistique"
To spread Japanism.

In 1890 a huge exhibition of Japanese Prints by Bing.

Vincent Van Gogh:

visited Bing
Helped spread Japanism
Included a print in his works.

Bing even dabbled in the glass blowing business with his art.
Bing wanted to bring all contemporary art techniques that could be in the home pieces

but was destroyed by critics because it lacked “French.”

Finally in 1900:

Bing had a pavilion at the World's Fair

called “Art Nouveau Bing”
Huge success!!!

He was able to display the “women's touch” in his home décor line.

Sadly, Bing died in 1905

Art Nouveau Photos

Dragonfly Coupe1904
Emile Galle

Cabinet-Vitrine
1899
Gustave Serrurier-Bovy

Wall Clock from the Casa Mila, Barcelona
1909-1910
Antoni Gaudi

Dragonfly (woman corsage ornament)
1897-1898
Rene Lalique

La Loie Fuller (lithograph)
1893
Jules Cheret

Armchair
1896
Gerhard Munthe Norwegian

Sunday, September 16, 2012

The great thing about the Current Small Press Movement and the Arts and Crafts movement is getting back the feeling of being a true artist with your work. During the Arts and Crafts movement of the 1800's and early 1900's mass production had already come into play and this victorian standard was up held for the title of art. And a man named Elbert Hubbard reminded people that this standard is not what art is all about. Being able to be with your art and create it from the start with your bare hands is how a true artist can work. Just like the current small press movement we have going on in our world right now. In our day and age we have computers and all these programs to mass produce and do it for you by a click of a mouse. But there are artist that go back to the "original ways", if you will, to create art like it used to be. Without the advance technology and just plain ole "get your hand dirty" work space. Honestly, it is a beautiful process for anyone to experience and do. Because once you've finished a piece of work, one can step back and look at what they actually created.

Though there are some differences between these two movements. When Hubbard had introduced and created his Roycroft style/brand, he left it open to many possible elements in the work shop. While the Small Press Movement does gear more towards type print and poster, which have had a hard time to survive with this fast paced world. But both are a beautiful process of art for artist.

Another influence that is sometimes seen in the Small Press Movement is the Victorian/Industrial Impression. If one is to look at certain poster or invitations that have been made on the press, one can see the unique border designs that artist can incorporate from that time. Though the Victorian/Industrial time was to express a type of motifs and strong moral subject matter, while todays Small Press is more of the express of the beauty and nostalgia during that time. In a way one could say that the Victorian age held a high head to their designs while today's is more of an expression of beauty in the small things. Both then and now are beautiful works of art that everyone should come to appreciate and value.