WEEK 4+5
About the field trip what I noticed / felt / did not feel about Singaporean art or artists
I didn’t think much about artistic lineages and traditions, but I slowly began to learn when digging in deeper into the subject.
Many Singaporean artists were trained in Europe, and tried to apply western styles and techniques, but using local themes and scenes. They were trying to create a uniquely Singaporean style or art that is relevant to Singapore.
Thinking further about artistic traditions, I looked at the Bauhaus movement, and see that the modern principles of graphic design is very much influenced by this movement.
Bauhaus design principles
Form follows function
Functionality doesn’t need to be boring but can be the focus of design.
No boundaries between different disciplines
Bauhaus designers combine photography, architecture, textile, etc.
Minimalism The Bauhaus designers prefer lines and geometric shapes.
Simplicity Bauhaus artists use clean designs and the and avoid decorative elements as they felt these were not necessary. They emphasised the importance of negative space.
Open to exploring new materials, techniques and technololgy Bauhaus designers were always looking for new ways to create. They are constantly evolving in their style and are very inventive.
The production was part of the full design process The design work does not end with the design, but the designer is involved all the way to production.
Technology The Bauhaus artists were willing to try new technologies and techniques. They did not mind developing products for mass production.
A famous and influential Bauhaus artist is Paul Klee.
This art piece by Paul Klee uses geometric shapes of different scales and colours, in a mixed grid.
Typography influenced by Bauhaus. Rounded and composed of different parts of simple shapes. Clean lines and minimal.
A modern-day example of the Bauhaus movement is IKEA. Clean lines, minimalist design, form-follows-function and mass-produced designer pieces – all these are echoes of the Bauhaus principles.
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