Part 2 Exercise 5: Using reference (1950's) Research

 Write a short review of the1950s from a visual perspective and describe the characteristics that typify the decade and the ideas and visual trends that were prevalent at this time.

Upon researching the 1950s I have found that colour, pattern, and design was very prominent, designers and artists and people in general seemed to crave Vibrancy and hope, colour, modernism, and visual expression as during the 40’s decorating wasn’t a priority, many homes would be bombed or evacuated so there would have been no need, rations were a thing and possessions were limited so after the war it seemed like this whole new age had begun. Things were brighter, and life was under construction to be better. The styles of the homes and demand for clothes, fabrics, appliances, furniture occurred because rations were no longer a thing. Visually I think all the patterns, colours, fabrics were a sign of freedom and even the art although simple became about inspiring people and communicating visually idealisms was the goal for most designers. I feel back then everything had a lot more character like the cars, furniture. Everything was just new and different. Like one big experiment now that the war was over, and new things could be invented. To describe the decade from a visual standpoint words like Simple, bold, colourful and patterns, unique come to mind, there was such expression in everything, the pattern on pattern, the use of scrap metal and steel for sculptures, temporary and new buildings, colourful graphic designs with a bold message through its text and a sense of satisfaction towards life. After the 1950’s this colourful theme remained, everything became about peace and love, flowers, psychedelia, travel, space and people had freedom.

Are there reflections of the 1950s in any areas of contemporary art, design, or culture? If so what– give examples

I would say there are so many influences from the 1950s, especially as modern art has progressed you see a lot of simple shapes, designs, the use block colours in a lot of the modern art galleries now a days, in the past when I have visited the Tate in Liverpool on the docks You see a lot. It seems to have aged well and not much has changed in the sense a lot of artists work is still inspired by the abstract, modernism movement. I found some modern-day artists who illustrations stay very true to the 1950s art, what I like about them is their illustrations are not exact copies, they all have their own style of drawing and expression. It is apparent that with better technology Digital Illustration is a form they have all taken to. There are so many amazing things you can achieve digitally. The beauty of today artists using 1950s as inspiration is that you can see a contrast between the use of modern technology to make traditional looking art, digitally there are tools and built-in apps that can create desired effects. Here some the artists I found and a link to a list of more:

 

·       Adam Nickel – website https://adamnickel.com/

·       Timba Smits – website https://timbasmits.com/

·       Matthew Laznicka – website https://bment.myportfolio.com/projects

https://www.retrosupply.co/blogs/retrosupply-blog/retro-vintage-illustrators

I created example moodboards of a few themes during the time such as fashion, art, patterns....

 

Art to begin to become more abstract, wacky colours and designs, styles of art such as pop art became very popular, and Andy Warhol was one of the artists to introduce this style. In addition to the abstract and new styles advertising and illustrations for magazines and posters had a lot more expression and colour to, They all seemed happier in the images too in comparison to things published in the war.

Patterns, things like wallpaper during the 1950's was very geometrical and abstract probably because it was the beginning of a new age, a futuristic vibe. The colour was also a lot brighter and designs a lot more intricate and exciting.

Art to begin to become more abstract, wacky colours and designs, styles of art such as pop art became very popular, and Andy Warhol was one of the artists to introduce this style. In addition to the abstract and new styles advertising and illustrations for magazines and posters had a lot more expression and colour to, They all seemed happier in the images too in comparison to things published in the war.

There were styles each year to come about, quite similar it was usually suits both for men and women some years, high waisted pants for the men and circle dresses for women but again there was a better choice colour and fabric and styles because there were no rations on these things.

 

 Another part of researching the 1950's was The festival of Britain in 1951.This festival was quite influential in history due to its futuristic and large structures, the designs, science. 

The main site of the festival was constructed on a 27-acre area on the South Bank, London, which had been left untouched since being bombed in the war. In keeping with the principles of the festival, a young architect aged only 38, Hugh Casson, was appointed Director of Architecture for the Festival and to appoint other young architects to design its buildings. These structures where a way to show off urban design that would feature in the post-war rebuilding.

 

The Skylon Tower, Festival of Britain 1951

The Skylon was an unusual, vertical cigar shaped tower supported by cables that gave the impression that it was floating above the ground.

 

The Skylon Tower, Festival of Britain 1951

The Skylon was an unusual, vertical cigar shaped tower supported by cables that gave the impression that it was floating above the ground.

There was a large dome built considered the biggest around that time inside it held exhibitions surrounding the theme of discovery such as the New World, the Polar regions, the Sea, the Sky and Outer Space.

 

I think this festival’s purpose was to celebrate the future, the war was over and rebuilding began. It introduced the public into things such as science and discovery. As well providing an outlet of fun with a funfair involved in the festival too. It gave everyone a chance of freedom to finally explore, learn as there was no longer a war to focus on.

 reference:

Thehistorypress.co.uk. (2019). The History Press | The Festival of Britain 1951. [online] Available at: https://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/articles/the-festival-of-britain-1951/.

 

Historic UK. (n.d.). The Festival of Britain 1951. [online] Available at: https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/The-Festival-of-Britain-1951/.

 

 

Looking into the poster for the festival, I found that it was by the graphic designer Abram Game who produced many memorable pieces before, during and after the second world war. He had clients such as United Nations, London Transport, British Airways, Shell, the Financial Times, and Guinness. He designed stamps for Britain, Jersey and Israel, book jackets for Penguin books and emblems for the Festival of Britain and the Queen’s Award for Industry. His influence even reached the infant television service in 1953 when he created the first animated BBC on-screen ident. His work was also used for stamps to, known for the popular piece 'The Blond Bombshell'.

His art I feel has very patriotic colours I’m assuming it’s because of the time (ww2) everything was for the country. The running theme in his work was also primary colours and simple but effective designs which worked well for the festival.
 

abramgames. (n.d.). Abram Games. [online] Available at: https://www.abramgames.com/about.