/>There is a plethora of accomplishment of Greek people. They achieved heights in philosophy ,ethics, politics, art showing great respect for nature and humanity. Even their gods were given human forms and attributes.The most achievements however were in architecture what the elements are still used today, not only in exterior but also the in interiors, and very frequently in furniture.The basis of the design vocabulary are still in use, and the understanding of classical design is an essential part of design literacy and have been source of inspiration even today.Greek religion foster respect for order as reflected in nature and humankind, what is shown in their arts and design. They search for ideal, perfection in proportion and distribution of forms and parts;their search for ideal, prefect image , Japanese will say it shibui. The Classical period of ancient Greece are called Golden Age of the 5th century and the famous slogan by the Protagonist "men is the measure of all things" reflects their motto.Famous concept is the golden section ,develop by the Euclid and the idea is the relationship between rectangles and squares based on the system of proportion. Architecture and interiors conveys a formal refined image that emphasize human proportion ,the golden section symmetrical balance and ordered, logical and rational arrangements reflecting natural harmony and seeks of course perfection. Harmony is achieve by repetition of forms and carefully planed. What is very important point is, that Greek understood psychological aspect of architecture and they design and use correction of optical illusion.When talking about architecture and interiors we have to analyze the basics. Architecture were basically functional, columns were used solely for support never for decoration ,although rich ornament were applied. Greek are famous for public buildings, build in stone and solid marble. Greek like Egyptian choose colors to emphasize symbols. Relief carvings were painted in blue,green and two shades of red with their background painted in blue.The most famous buildings are Acropolis and Parthenon. Acropolis means "Te high point of the city" and was devoted solely to religious purposes. Both buildings are symbols of perfect harmony of basic forms.Talking about design we can not forget about three Greek classical orders -building styles- Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. The orders differ in proportion and details with capital, being the most distinguishing feature.The principal structural members are the column or post and entablature or lintel.
Doric order was most severe and most popular as shown in Parhenon building, Temple of Apollo at Delos, Temple at Segesta, Sicily and temple of Zeus at Stratos. Doric order is less limiting and future more variety and decoration but appears less frequently. Famous beautiful Temple of Artemis at Sardis is a sample of Doric order. Corinthian order appeared reatively late in the city of Corinth and is most ornate and decorative order. Was also used in Tample of Zeus At Athens and at Euromus. Later Corinthain order become favourite style of Roman.
GREEK ORDERS
While talking about design we have to look at furniture which unfortunately lucking the Egypt climate did not survived except for some very rare metal items, and they are very frequently painted or sculpture on vases. We belive that wood was dominate material as beech, citrus ,maple,oak and willow and finest wood pieces were inlays in ivory ebony and precious stones. We know that marble and bronze was used as well.
Furniture were very elegant but never extravagant. There were not much pieces any way only beds,chairs, stools tables and chests and comfort have been used only by royalties and religion figures. We know that cushion and fabric were aded for comfort for example Odyssey describe a thrones "strewn with purple coverlets". The most characteristic of greek furniture was the design to
last (design purely by Greeks ) Famous is the klismos chair.It is beauty coming from its perfect form with curved backboard and curved legs and has many practical uses being lightweight and portable.
Greek are not only famous for they architecture and furniture, but also for designing and decorating walls and floors, creating mouldings and pattern for ornaments and also for designing and making pottery.
KLISMOS CHAIR
Greeks were masters of harmony and structure and linear patterns developing distinct differences in character of the objects that shows in mouldings which were designed to accent or to divide large surfaces and were carefully calculated. The principal were Greek Guilloche, Egg -and -dart ,Bead-and reel, Greek fret and Anthemion patterns.
The mouldings and patterns are still use today.
The Greeks as mention earlier sought to achieve and display perfection using forms with certain shapes design for certain usage.The another sample of it are Greek vases. The vases display also perfection in surface decoration and each is highly individual with different scenes.
Vases continue to be used by five hundred years with dedication to its goods, used as part of burial rituals or for caring water or wine, storing grains and oils. Some miniature vases were sued as children toys and big one with painted goddess of Athena and were as praises given to champion. Mostly there were two kinds; one the black- figure style and the red-figure style with a lot of different painted subject ranging from gods and heros to common folk.
In general Greek art is intellectual.Its beauty comes from proportion, line and patterns and of course simplicity. Colour only ads to the beauty but never obscure the intellectual satisfaction.We can discuss the Greek time for long time but it is certain that that they achieve grate quality and superb with everything what they create.One what is certain was that when they achieve best quality and successful form, it was repeated constantly only with some minor changes with little experimentation. They did not wanted be to be "original"or extravagant instead focus of perfection and ideal. The subject of interior design is modest. To compare magnificence of exterior the Greece,was the land without interiors even though there were sample of admirable interiors in the Greek temples.Greek interiors were not the focus for Greek genius.
In 18 and 19 century there was great revival of greek architecture and interiors.With new access to Greece archaeologist and architects studied orders example of which can be found in many countries. We will discus the topic in later posts.
Second Bank Of United State, Philadelphia, 1824
Klenze's Propylaen, Munich 1854
Yorkshire Museum 1830
Leo Klenze's Walhalla .Rosenburg bavaria 1822
It is fascinating that the Greek revival is still popular today and we can see a lot of sample around.
modern klismos chairs
No comments:
Post a Comment