Sources are the causes of all reactions. By labeling any stimulus a source, we suggest that there is something that will be affected or informed. Sources, in the educational sense are important for basis of knowledge; they are citable facts and figures upon which solid opinions can be speculated. Movement in my investigation is a scientific term. In this context of reactions- I think of movement as the formation of a social group with similar ideas and ideals that may (or may not move between physical locations as a consequence of their shared background). The formation (or (re) formation) of these movements is a reactionary evolution to change. Rotation- when thought of as a geometrical term, refers to the movement of an object or picture in a particular fashion around a particular axis or symmetrical line. Once this has taken place- the object can be reinterpreted by its new symmetrical placement. Many movements are mere rotations of ideas. In class (today) Patrick mentioned that to be a reformation, some change must be present- some new idea must be represented for a “formed” group to be considered “reformed.” I think rotation is a good way to represent the goal that many groups have in mind when “reforming” themselves- they are not looking to completely eradicate the ideas of their predecessors, rather they want to refocus (or rotate around) their focal point.
Illumination and reflection are grouped together in my reflection of (re)actions because they are both (re) actions that people can actively take in the interpretation of sources to form new movements or reform old movements.
Illumination has been a powerful metaphor for many movements in history. On UNC Greensboro's campus, the ceremonial lighting of candles, known as "luminaries" is an inspirational winter tradition.
As a psychology major- (I am also a music major but this particular post happens to fit better with my science-y side) I am constantly investigating the link between cause and effect. We have entire classes based on research methods of cause and effect- I have had countless professors spend hours discussing at length how the world of cause and effect are inextricably linked. I would suggest that in this sense- sources are a cause and movements are an effect. This effect is often categorized by a person reflecting on a thought that has been illuminated through any given series of events. That said- On to the artsy stuff to actually apply all of these incredibly science-y concepts. My goal for this piece is to link all of these words together and show that any reaction to one term can be effectively linked to another term.
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Source and Movement
Sources- as I explained above- are important as they give factual basis for any argument. In this case of architecture- I believe that the most important sources that we can study are the original design movements that eventually inspire revival. Without these sources- we could never have theorists like Morris and Ruskin who debate over whether or not reinterpretation is legitimate!
"At first as the nouveaux riches moved into communities and became part of the landed gentry they desired to be accepted by the established families. They did not have independent aesthetic standards;this meant that when the new country houses were constructed the new owners emulated their neighbors. ...Throughout the period...there were two conflicting strains of development: one of traditionalism, the other based on the felt need for reform and innovation..." (Blakemore 392-393).
Source and Rotation
Icoachmath.com says, “ Rotation is a transformation that turns a figure about a fixed point.” The above blurb mentions reinterpretation. Rotation and reinterpretation often go hand and hand in the philosophy of a movement.
1Any high school aged math student will tell you that if you rotate an object enough, you will eventually end up with the exact same object you started with. While this concept works scientifically- I think the theorists have clearly shown that it doesn’t always line up in practice. I do not think that Morris-no matter how much he rotated and reacted against revivalist styles would ever end up supporting the idea he reacted to. Thus is the beauty of stubbornness.
"The Aesthetic Movement lack the moral concerns of the Arts and Crafts Movement. its object was to create less ponderous and healthier 'artistic' interiors for the Victorian middle classes, whose tastes had now mature." (Massey 26). This quote sums up the interaction between rotation and re-evolution of an idea. The progression of movements in the reactions period of this course begins with the lavish Gothic style of decoration- which is followed by the oppositionally stark Arts and Crafts Movement- which is followed by the reinstatement of luxury in the aesthetic and revivalist movements. While the movements do eventually rotate back upon themselves, we have yet to seen a particular theorist that is humble enough to identify this particular trait within his own theory.
The closest we come to a theorist contradicting oneself is the identification of the challenges of creating a movement. "The future of modern art rests with the middle class, but they need educating. they are worth educating too...but it behoves those who cater for this class to be very careful to only produce really good things, perfect in design and workmanship. If the public is taught how to distinguish true art from the many varieties of false, it will appreciate each at its proper value. True, it costs more to produce superior articles, but the expense is only an initial one, for in this, as in other things, in the long run good articles are cheaper- and moreover, they often come to have an intrinsic worth of their own." (Massey 62). In this quote, challenge is met with healthy respect and a solution is at least suggested-however unrealistic it may be.
Reflection and Illumination Effect Movements
Reflection and Illumination effect movements in that they are often the cause (or they are the reaction that is the cause) of formation and reformation of any given movement. As history continually plays out-events transpire and refocus the attention of thoughtful, involved people. It is only natural for these curious people to reflect about how they might alternatively interpret EVERYTHING given certain illuminations.
“A movement influencing not only the visual arts but also literature and music, Romanticism was responsible for the tendency to rely on naturalistic elements.” (Blakemore 390). Reflection and illumination of particular concepts in movements are essential. Movements must have core values that can be ruminated on if they are expected to take on any significance.
Given "certain illuminations" designers have chosen to make statements through their creation (or recreations as the case may be). The White House is a prime example of how a historical movement can make a statement by deliberately NOT changing the design of a building.
The Oldest known image of the White House. 2
The White House as it appeared after it was burned by the British in 1814. 3
The Shiny "White" White House as it stands today. 4
"It was against a background of such historicism that designers in Belgium and France created a style without historical precedent, that made new use of materials such as iron ,and was directed towards the middle classes and intelligentsia rather than the very wealthy...From 1893, Art Nouveau architect-designers concerned themselves with all the elements of a building, from the architectural shell down to the door handles. To create a fully integrated and contemporary environment was the pivotal aim of the movement." (Massey 32-33)
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1. Vase by Matthias Frobose. Dieser Beitrag wurde vor am Saturday, 24. January 2009 um %R Uhr veröffentlicht und unter Formforschung gespeichert. http://froboese.info/2009/01/vase/
2.Department of the Interior, U.S. National Park Service Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0194024.html
3. Picture from www.whitehousehistory.org. Cited as Library of Congress. http://www.whitehousehistory.org/04/subs/04_a02_c.html
4.Department of the Interior, U.S. National Park Service Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0194024.html
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