[Re]actions

During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, there was much exploration going on.  From exploring new lands, to trade, to the industrial Revolution, there was much movement in the literal way, but also in the way of design.  “By the mid-nineteenth century, Britain led the world in terms of trade and enjoyed great prosperity” (Massey 7).  Also during this time, people began to build with glass and steel.  Some amazing buildings, such as the Crystal palace, were created during this time.  

In design, we tend to look back, or reflect, on the ideas and styles of the past.  If you look around at some of the buildings in American, our capitol for example, go back to the style of the ancient Greeks.  Then there was the Gothic Revival. “The Victorian Gothic Revival was mainly inspired by Pugin and his interiors for the new Houses of Parliament building designed by Sir Charles Barry.  The style continued in use into the twentieth century, feeding into the Arts and Crafts Movement” (Massey 9). 

Not only does source go back to where an idea originates, but since we have been studying perspectives, I have found that source can also refer to the vanishing point, the source of the drawing, where everything seems as if it could have been pulled from that point.  I feel that is the effect, because every line that is not horizontal or vertical goes to this point, which makes it seem like they came from this point.    

Rotation, I believe, would have to do with the rotation of ideas from country to country.  This is why we can find the same style in different places all around the globe.  As people explored, they took their ideas and styles with them.  When the British began colonizing the Americas, they brought with them the style of architecture at the time. 

Illuminate: In Studio, we have been working with light and shadow.  We had to create something using ¼” MDF.  It had to show the relationship between light and shadow in a creative way.  I started out with a box that had little “windows” in the sides.  From there, I added six slats into the box with the same design as the outer panels.  I then went from six slats to four.  Finally, I ended up with something that looks kind of like a bookshelf, but it still uses the same pattern as the original pieces.   When put in the light, it causes the shadows to crisscross and form a checkerboard pattern.