kaiya-bo-byea: Historical Art Styles!

Historical Art Styles and Their Influence on Fashion!

Cubism(1908-1920):

The Cubists emphasized flat, two-dimensional surfaces and rejected realism. They ignored perspective, foreshortening, etc. The cubists reduced everything into a cube shape and fragmented objects and often showed multiple sides simultaneously. The following are examples of Cubist artwork and fashion directly influenced by it...

photos courtesy of: www.galleries.absolutearts.com(Pablo Picasso) and www.guardian.co.uk/ lifeandstyle/gallery/2008

Gothic (1100-1450):

Originated in Italy, the Gothic style spread quickly throughout Europe. It represented a shift from the Dark ages into a more civilized society, and thus increased naturalism. Gothic art was heavily influenced by Christianity and was predominately characterized by arches, stained glass, and illuminated manuscripts. See below to see an example of how it has influenced modern fashion:

photos courtesy of www.bookrags.com and www.guardian.co.uk

Pop Art (1958-1975):

'Popular Art' used common everyday objects to portray elements of popular culture in the media. It was an attempt to shatter the divide between commercial arts and fine arts, and bring back art into daily life. The Pop artists rejected abstract painting, as well as the consumerism and materialism that was gaining popularity due to the wealth of post WWII.

It greatly influenced fashion in the day as well as currently....

photos cortesy of: www.pref.ibaraki.jp and www.fashionvisa.com (designer: Manish Arora)

Minimalism (1960-1975):

Minimalism rejects the need for social comment, self-expression, any allusion to history, politics, or religion. It is purely based on the aesthetics. The Minimalists reduced their work to the fewest number of colors, shapes, lines, etc to achieve a precise/hard-edged look. Mathematics/geometrics were often used as well as cool hues or unmixed colors. Industrial materials were also coomonly used to eliminate the evidence of an artist's hand. Fashion was greatly influenced by this style and is still today

very evident in many designers' inspiration...

photos courtesy of: www.middlebury.edu (artist:Clement Meadmore); www.furniturestoreblog.com; www.fashiontribes.typepad.com (Calvin Klein).

Romanticism (1800-1850):

Romantism emphasized emotional, spontaneous, and imagination. In artwork this meant a departure from classical canons and a movement towards spiritual and emotional themes. This romantic movement came about in relation to the sudden political/social changes in the French Revolution. It was in revolt to the rational/ordered Neoclassism movement that was popular in that day. The Romantics used movement, emotion, individualism, subjectivity, and herocism. Anything exotic, mysterious, value-based, and bucolic was very popular amonsgt these artists. Obviously the Bohemian clothing style as well as many other clothing styles were a direct result from this artistic movement...

photos courtesy of: www.jeffreykbedrick.com/ladyofshallot.html (artist: J.W.Waterhouse); and www.anina.typepad.com (designer: Natalie Wood)

Art Deco (1920-1935):

Art Deco was characterized by linear decorative designs that were similar to the modern technology of the time. Long, thin lines and geometric patterns were often used, as was intense colors. The movement definitely borrowed from Cubism, Futurism, and Constructivism. Machinery and automobile parts with stylized gears, wheels, etc.. were common themes in art deco artwork. Common day architecture, fashion, jewelry, and textiles still use these concepts endlessly...