Design 171 Blog 2 - French Rococo Resources

French rococo is a design style that originated in France and was popular during the 18th century.

Book by single author:

Kimball Fiske (1943), The Creation of Rococo, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia.

This book provides an extremely detailed recount of the origination of rococo starting in the late 1600‘s and how it developed and spread across the world up until the end of rococo in france in the late 1700‘s. The book also focusses a lot on the reign of Louis XV and his influence on rococo.

Journal Entry:

Gimelson Deborah (1990), The French Rococo Decorative Arts, The Magazine Antiques, 137, 3, Pg 698

This article provides many visual examples of different pieces of furniture designed in the rococo period. Each object clearly shows some of the key design features that are so recognizable to french rococo design, such as the use of fluid, curved forms and almost over the top gold detail and decoration. The article also provides a detailed look at Madame de Pompadour’s influence on rococo and design in France.

Edited book:

Kristel Smentek, Frick collection (2007) Rococo Exotic: French Mounted Porcelain and The Allure of The East, New York: Frick Collection, New York

This book is a catalogue of reviews and images from an art exhibition that focussed on the idea of how chinese porcelain was combined with the curving detail based on aquatic life to create part of the french rococo style. This would be an excellent visual aid when looking at examples of what makes up rococo.

Website:

Michael Kitson (1997), Art Periods: ROCOCO STYLE (web article), sourced from: 

http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/Art/rococo.shtml

This provides an accurate yet to the point summary of what french rococo is and the specific design principals and elements that make it so distinctive. it would be useful as focusses directly on Rococo in France only and its effect on other art periods in french history.

Image:

Henry Marc, (date unknown, around late19th c), ormolu clock,

 sourced from: http://www.timeinvested.co.uk/stock/stock.asp?sec=Mantle

Although this clock was designed a century after rococo had run its course in france it is still an accurate example of the kind of style that was french rococo. The eccentric and lavish decoration around the clock face holds no function or purpose in relation to the actual object, a common trait of rococo. The overall appearance of the clock gives off a sense of fluidity and the idea of the feminine curve.

Inspiration for Individual work (Project 6)

Technical drawing by Leonardo Da Vinci,
"Master Draftsman" 28 x 22.4cm
Pen, brown ink, red chalk
From the collection Gallarie dell'Accademia Venice
sourced from http://www.arcspace.com/exhibitions/da_vinci_ex/index.html

Design101 Project 4

Design101 Project 5

The object i have based this piece around are teabags. All the ink is made from different types of tea to create a range of colours. The tags and strings of the tea bags have been attached to create an upward direction within the picture. The ink expresses the essence of tea as its shows how it is used to pick people up when they are feeling low.

Design 101 Project 6

I chose to base my individual technical drawing on a piece of art by Leonardo Da Vinci (see inspiration post for source.) I wanted to investigate and experiment with his use of hierarchy where he focusses on one area so it is much bolder and more detailed that the rest of his drawing which is much more sketchy and unfinished. I also wanted to attempt his use of layering many transparent objects on top of one another so you can still see the many objects coming through underneath creating a depth that would not be present if the objects were opaque. Da Vinci's use of both black and brown ink also appealed to me as it opened up the opportunity to add a new level of contrast, taking a step beyond just black and white.

Design101 Project 3

Design101 Project 2

Design101 Project One Hand In

Design Quotes:

"Good Design is about making other designers feel like idiots because the idea wasn't theirs"- Frank Chimero

Walt Disney once said “You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world.” This is a quote that helps to sum up what it is I love most about design; that the possibilities are endless.

My name is Molly Parker, i’m 18 and fresh out of year 13 at Takapuna Grammar School. I have moved down to Wellington from Devonport, Auckland and am now one of eight design students living at Weir House.

As a designer my biggest inspiration comes from my love of fine art. Painting in particular has always been a passion of mine as it is a way to express ideas and opinions without the use of words or numbers. Art allows you to be as original and quirky as you like because it doesn't have to follow a criteria, it can simply represent you. I picked up art design last year and combined it with fine art to create my own refreshing style involving many hand drawn images and textures.
Some of my favourite artists who I draw influence from include Banksy, Lazslo Moholy-Nagy, Tim Marrs and Linn Olofsdotter. Despite their differences in style I am able to find many things I love in each.

My aspirations for design begin with continuing on in design innovation going into media design as my chosen stream. However looking further into the future I am hoping to go into a design field along the lines of the work done at Weta Workshop (so convenient that it should be here in Wellington).

Choosing to study at design school was the perfect option for me. It allows me to study something that I actually find enjoyable and have a genuine interest in. I look forward to a year full of new experiences and information round every corner, pushing boundaries and never knowing quite what to expect.