IXD102 ( 30250 ) - Introduction to Communication Design. 2022-23.
This week we looked at WWII and modernism.
Modernism is a broad term that refers to a number of artistic, literary, and cultural movements that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Modernism is characterized by a rejection of traditional styles and conventions and a focus on innovation and experimentation. Modernist artists and writers sought to create new, modern forms of expression that were appropriate for the rapidly changing world of the 20th century. They were interested in breaking with the past and creating something new and different, and their work often explored themes of alienation, disillusionment, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world.
"Degenerate art" was a term used by the Nazi regime in Germany to describe modern art that was considered to be decadent, corrupt, or degenerate. The Nazis believed that modern art, with its emphasis on innovation and experimentation, was a threat to traditional German values and culture. They launched a campaign to suppress and destroy modern art and to promote a more traditional, nationalistic art style. As part of this campaign, the Nazis organized the "Degenerate Art" exhibition in 1937, which was a propaganda show that featured modern artworks that had been confiscated from German museums. The exhibition was intended to ridicule and discredit modern art and to turn public opinion against it. Many modern artists and intellectuals were targeted by the Nazi regime and were forced to flee the country or were imprisoned or killed.
The Ulm School of Design was a German art and design school that was active from 1953 to 1968. It was founded by Inge Aicher-Scholl, Otl Aicher, and Max Bill, who sought to create a new, functional aesthetic that was appropriate for the modern age. The Ulm School of Design was known for its emphasis on practicality and functionality in design and its focus on the integration of art and technology. The school was influential in the development of various art movements, including Modernism and the Swiss Style, and its faculty and students included many important artists and designers, such as Josef Albers, Max Huber, and László Moholy-Nagy. The Ulm School of Design had a significant influence on the development of art, architecture, and design in the 20th century, and its legacy continues to be felt to this day.
Pentagram is a multinational design consultancy that was founded in 1972 by Alan Fletcher, Theo Crosby, Colin Forbes, Kenneth Grange, and Mervyn Kurlansky. It is one of the world's largest and most prestigious design firms, with offices in London, New York, San Francisco, Berlin, and Austin. Giorgia Lupi is an Italian designer who is currently a partner at Pentagram's New York office. She is known for her work in data visualization, information design, and interactive media, and she has worked on projects for a wide range of clients, including The New York Times, Google, and the Museum of Modern Art. Lupi is also the co-author of "Dear Data," a book that explores the art of data visualization through a series of hand-drawn postcards.