Point: Alternatives

Prior to today’s class I had hit a wall in writing this point. While I understood the basics of the alternatives unit being the transition from sticking by the rule book to taking the rules and breaking them, I could not find a way to articulate it.

In the alternatives unit we covered material from the Gothic cathedrals up through the Rococo and Baroque style periods.  Each time period paints a very distinct image in ones head. The Gothic cathedrals most replicated the rulebook while still reaching to new heights, both literally and figuratively. They were able to expand on the rules, and modify them to suit their needs because for the first time in history there was a monetary backing for the construction on the structures. The architecture was able to reflect the ideals of the patrons, and of the church instead of society as a whole. The Gothic cathedrals were a symbol of the changing times during a dark part of history. It was a glimpse of hope for what was to come.

At a few points during the unit the topic of conversation was about the design voices that were speaking during these style periods.  The most influential was the voice of classicism, with mutterings of new ideas and influences. 

Moving into the Rococo and Baroque style periods it was more about showing society that they were refined enough to know the rules, yet skilled enough to know how to break them. They took the boundaries of the proverbial rulebook and extended them far past anything seen prior. Patrick used the example of the cartwheel during two class periods…You first have to move outside of the box, then move beyond customary behavior, then further stretch and move somewhere further. Your viewpoint changes as you move just as the viewpoint of society and architecture. You are first standing upright, you turn it on its head, and then you move back to an upright position. In a sense almost like history repeating itself, however, taking some things that you have learned and altering it; the rules shift slightly.

Something that resonated with me was the thought of static and then moments of great change. This thought transcends through many aspects of history, life, etc… It can clearly be seen in architecture, but also in fashion, as well as the human life cycle.  The Renaissance would be a prime example of this. Prior to it there was little new life being breathed into the world of architecture, and of art. Things were stagnant. With the Renaissance there was a rebirth. New ideas being generated, hope once again reestablished.  

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-26423629/stock-vector-heart-pulse-monitor.html

 

          Bellbottoms 

http://www.sodahead.com/fun/if-you-were-the-fashion-police-what-would-be-illegal/question-377297/?page=3

 Flare Jeans

http://www.w1style.co.uk/details.asp?productid=3615

The images above to me demonstrate the ideas of this unit clearly. First, with the heart monitor, the line showing both great movement and then flat lining i.e. becoming stagnant/stationary. This is much like the design world. We have our ups and downs, our plateaus, and then we pick back up again at a different rate than before. I also chose images of articles of clothing, the first image being bellbottoms from the 1970’s and then flare jeans from today. This to me speaks of the Rococo and Baroque time periods in how they took from the ideas of classicism, and tweaked them, made them their own, and surpassed previous style periods.  In the case of the images I chose the flare jeans took from ideas of the past (the bellbottom), and changed the rules. While keeping the bell at the bottom of the pant leg, they narrowed it. It made for a more sleek design, changing with the ideals of those wearing them. Much like the architecture changing with the ideals of society.