Reflections Summary

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In Nathan’s reflection point he gave an explanation of how the transition from renaissance to the modern stages of design were taking place. There was a clear understanding of how this affected design during this time as well. There was a great press on designers to keep up with the constant changes in history. This caused several of them to look east for design concepts and ideas to merge with their own ideas. He was also able to reference how this idea of design assimilation was in fact the total opposite of what the Americans were trying to do, seeing as they wanted to break away from their traditional European roots. Lastly I think that Nathan linked this to the industrial revolution and how new machines were able to help the growth of new buildings like the Crystal Palace. Anna was able to elaborate on what we learned in class about the different stages of a revolution, which, were reform, renaissance, revival, rotation, and cycle. I also find it awesome that she was able to use a Lion king quote to reference to the idea of a cycle. “Mufasa: Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures, from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope.
Young Simba: But, Dad, don't we eat the antelope?
Mufasa: Yes, Simba, but let me explain. When we die, our bodies become the grass, and the antelope eat the grass. And so we are all connected in the great Circle of Life.” The cycle that we see in design during this period is in the materials. Anna was able to tie the new uses we see for materials during the industrial revolution to those that were seen with concrete during the classical Roman era as a cycle. In the reflections point Justin also discussed the transition of the different design styles. Justin explains how the idea of assimilation comes to fruition at this time through the influences of eastern design that we see in things like surface decoration. During this time it becomes evident that design is no longer simply for the high class, but is now common debate among those of the middle class society. The design of this time period gives us an understanding that things were mainly a revival of classical styles. An example of this is the Red house, which clearly displays evidence of gothic influence.Justin ends his essay by discussing the idea of assimilating different design ideas.


http://www.pa.uky.edu/~emilio/USA/NY/foggy_ny.jpg
This image that he used is a good representation of how design today is fogged and blurred by this mix and mashing of assimilated ideas.