Blog Week One
Blog Week One
It fascinates me to begin my educational journey in the field of design by looking at the bare necessities of the job. What have humans always wanted/desired for thousands of years? Despite the subjective biases we have towards whatever aesthetics we have learned to love, there are objective needs and wants to be respected throughout all of humankind.
We can see the beginnings of systems in structures that seem
simple to our modern understanding. Prehistoric structures may look different
than our today’s standards of construction, but they served the same inevitable
human needs back then as they do today.
Here are some prehistoric structures that particularly
inspired me in this way.
I imagine a family singing around the fire after a long day.
I love the opening, allowing space to see the stars at night,
or sunrise/set in the day.
As someone who deeply appreciates textile arts, it is inspiring
to see how humans used to make clothing (especially without trashing the environment).
A Neolithic inspired pottery piece from China.
The stacked-stone concept of the Stone Age seems to have
inspired this beautiful piece of stone architecture.
No matter how fancy we get, there will always be something
uniquely organic about using stone in architecture.
This I just found fascinating.
One step further…
John Lazurko is an internationally recognized stone artist,
sculptor, craftsman, and educator specializing in realistic artificial rock and
decorative stonework. Born in 1986 in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, he began his
professional artistic training as a sculptor in 2004, followed by studies in
Architectural Environment Design in 2008. He also holds a Master’s degree in
Theology, which I find encouraging.
The composition of this entrance is amazing, the way the
stone holds up the obsidian-like “doors” of the entrance. The yellow lights
make the place look warm and inviting.
The way the stone seems to defy gravity is widely impressive.
The variety of random grooves in the stone makes the texture interesting in an otherwise smooth and unified setting.
Closing Reflection
Although the Stone Age was defined by more than just stone, that
seems to be the most prevalent characteristic of the ancient era. It was a critical
time of development, especially for the world of interior and architectural design,
as furniture came out of a transition from a nomadic to semi-permanent lifestyle.
By studying Paleolithic and Neolithic remains, we can recognize patterns of
culture in our diverse human nature.
Hi Zoe, I really liked who you focused in on the stone age. I, in particular really enjoy the use of stone in design so I am very pleased to see what you have came up with. Your introduction was very eloquently written and I really like how you emphasized the lasting impacts this period of time has on our current designs. I really like how you gradually begin to see the new and modern stone . It looks incredible! I really liked hearing your thoughts ! Overall, I enjoyed this, and I think it is organized and communicated very well! Good job!!!
ReplyDeleteZoe, I really enjoyed reading your post! I love your transitions and authentic observations. Your comment, “No matter how fancy we get, there will always be something uniquely organic about using stone in architecture,” really stood out to me. Using stone in architectural designs can be a lot harder than other materials, but it is 100% worth it. Something about it just adds the right finishing touches. For your “One Step Further”, I really liked how you chose a sculptor instead of a traditional artist or architect. I have never heard of him before and will definitely be checking out his works. Thank you, and amazing job!
ReplyDeleteZoe, I appreciate how you focused on the purpose of the designs in your summary. These works were made because people needed them, and that is what architecture is at its most basic definition. As designers, we are here to create spaces that respond to the needs of the community. I also like how you focused on the use of stone when talking about applications today. We have so many more materials that were available in prehistoric times, but we keep returning to the use of stone. It's very intriguing how this simple material is able to be used for structural integrity as well as aesthetics. This post is great!
ReplyDeleteZoe, I really liked your paper! I thought your idea that prehistoric structures were created to meet the same basic human needs we have today was really interesting. Your description of imagining people gathering around the fire at Skara Brae was one of my favorite parts because it helped bring the space to life. I also really liked your modern-day examples because they showed that stone is still an important and beautiful material in architecture. Overall, your paper had a really creative perspective and made me think about how much design has stayed connected to basic human needs.
ReplyDeleteZoe,
ReplyDeleteI loved you Blog entry this week! You provided us with a personal and creative look into the "prehistoric' times. I appreciate your images of textiles, tepee and pottery from this era. The images that showed modern use of stone were beautiful.
I thought your deeper look into John Lazurko was very interesting. His designs are so unique and the fact he has a degree in theology was unique. I want to explore his life further! Great summary.
50/50 points