Point: Reflections

A revolution can be defined as a dramatic and wide-reaching change in the way something works or is organized or in people's ideas about it. In class, we talked about revolutions in design, one of the key aspects of our reflections unit. A revolution has four main steps that are involved: revival (something returns into activity), reform (a change for the better occurs), rotation (uniform variation in a sequence), and cycle (a recurring series of events). This revolution cycle happens every time there is a change.

The revival is something that is more noticeable in the cycle of revolution. There have been many revivals around the world. One that we looked at specifically in class was the Gothic Revival. Strawberry Hill in England is a great example of gothic revival. The library specifically uses gothic fanned arches and elements that point to heaven, popular of the gothic style.

Another main theme of this unit was the way east met west in regards to design language. The east greatly inspired the west in a way that is undeniable, through all four aspects of artifact, space, building and place. The way these other design styles were used in the west was a way for people to escape from what they were used to. There was so much excitement over the eastern style being used – it was like a fantasy land. Chinese bowls and plates were inspiration to western carpets and wallpaper. Silk was imported from China and used for Chinoiserie clothing. The Royal Pavilion in Brighton, England is both an example of space and building inspired by the east. The building looks like it should be in India, while the interior is purely inspired by China. The banqueting hall in particular, shows eastern design and appears as if it has everything shoved into it. A place that has eastern inspiration is The Worlds Fair 1851 in London, England. It was an international exhibition that took place at the Crystal Palace.

The reflections unit relates to my own design work in the way cycles are used. I feel like each year, or maybe even each semester, as an iarc student is a new cycle or revolution in a way. I think I have progressed and changed the way I do things since the beginning of my first year. Even before iarc could be considered a cycle in itself. But at the beginning of each new revolution for me I can see how I have experienced revival, reform, rotation, and cycle.

http://decorartsnow.com/2009/11/

Although I think of Gothic Revival as more of the 19^th century or so, it can still be found today. I chose this picture to describe the reflections unit because it shows that revival of styles that were hundreds of years ago can and do still occur. This castle was recently built in New York along the Hudson River. It was inspired by the Hampton Court Palace in southern England. Not only the exterior, but the interior of the 21^st century castle is also a showcase of Gothic style, including a barrel vaulted ceiling in the garden room, arches through out, and overall style of the architecture.