Postmodernist and ‘remix’ techniques are a vibrant part of our design culture today. Find an example of contemporary design— 2D or 3D—and post it to your blog along with a description of what techniques it utilises (i.e. historical quotation, ornamental eclecticism, wit or irony, manipulations of scale, cultural symbols etc.) and how they serve to ‘add meaning’ to the work.
With the incredible multifarious pasts of our design-world and its evolution, we are at a stage where almost everything and anything has already been created, while of course there being the exception of new technologies which allow for new and improved prototypes. Remixing techniques and placing various things in the same category in itself, has its own meaning. The story behind each design era and its meaning can greatly influence our perspective on the way in which we view a particular product of design in the present early Third Millennium. Despite understanding the current law and its copyright acts, I am confident to believe that previous design movements highly contribute to our said to be, new creations, today.
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| fig. 1 - The Webb Ellis Cup (RWC Trophy) |
William Webb Ellis, an Anglican clergyman, is credited for being the inventor of rugby while he was a student at Rugby School in England. The Webb Ellis Cup [fig. 1], named after the inventor of rugby sport itself, is a trophy presented to the winner of each Rugby World Cup (RWC) tournament since 1987. As teams from several countries verse against each other in this world-wide tournament that occurs only every four years, it becomes the focus for each team and their countries to prove their possession of the Webb Ellis Cup. The Webb Ellis Cup is a 38 centimetre silver gilt, braced by two handles with a head of a satyr and the other of a nymph[1]. This 20th Century-made item is a symbolic and highly meaningful item of ownership made for its contemporary use. Its design shows the definite design-inspired 18th Century Rococo style; its intricate 'S' curves convey the re-enactment of the Rococo Movement. Those who possesed Rococo influenced items in the 18th Century were viewed as those of worth, hierarchy, and authority. Today, as we see the world of design changing, we see that this in fact Victorian based design influenced by the 1740 cup by Paul de Lamerie[2], does re-visit design history; the meaning behind Rococo is taken into account, and as Rugby teams world-wide contest against each other, the team victorious is essentially - as previously stated - crowned as a team of worth, hierarchy, and authority. As the Webb Ellis Cup distinctly follows the Rococo style, this 18th Century-inspired item along with its meaning is remixed with today's very contemporary sport in today's day and age; the act of reincarnation.
In our day and age, such objects that appear to be from the past are still brought into design today. As we 'mix and match' different styles with different era's, our initial meanings and thought's certainly change depending on the context it is used in. As we learn our history, continue to study our world's future, and appreciate our different design approaches, we can come to appreciate the many factors and elements of design, and the relationship between them.
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Reference List:
[1] Informed From:
Reference List:
Image composed of:
http://oneclick.indiatimes.com/photo/0dHT8r75089Gh?q=Sydney%EF%BB%BF &
http://oneclick.indiatimes.com/photo/0dHT8r75089Gh?q=Sydney%EF%BB%BF &
[1] Informed From:
http://www.skysport.co.nz/rugby-webb-ellis-cup/
http://www.rugbyfootballhistory.com/trophys.htm#WebbEllis
Informed From:
Woodham, J. (1997). Pop to Post-Modernism: Changing Values in Twentieth-Century Design (pp.182-203) Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press