Master of Fine Art submission

TO REDEFINE THE CLASSICAL LANGUAGE OF FURNITURE IN THE CONTEXT OF OUR CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT TODAY. \Another unsettling element in modern art is that common symptom of immaturity the dread of doing what has been done before.\" EDITH WHARTON An investigation of the classical language of furniture will- enable me to understand the social and cultural implications of style through the study of forms materials and details expressed in selected furniture pieces. I will redefine classical language by translating these ideas into a modern context using technology to explore the different possibilities and uses within our cultural environment. I will begin my research with the Neo Classical period which can be traced from approximately 1750 to 1850. Neo Classicism became the first international style influencing design from St Petersburg to Virginia and strongly influencing the modern movement both intellectually and visually. \"It was inspired by the recent archaeological discoveries in Greece and Rome by the rational ideas of the Enlightenment and the resulting notions of 'apparent utility' developed by Laugier and the rejection of Baroque and Rococo forms in favour of simple geometrics largely rectilinear shapes derived from antique sources.\" Fontana dictionary of Modern Thought I am particularly attracted to Biedermeier furniture with its simple lines and pure forms. The technical and design brilliance of this furniture are apparent by both the visual ease of the forms and the ease with which this furniture can be incorporated into a diverse range of interiors. Within this century large developments have been made in the area of consumer design. Furniture design however has suffered at the hands of economic rationalism with a design mindset devoid of organic flowing forms. It is emotionless - lacking a connection with human qualities that give furniture a presence and soul in an environment. A cultural void has been created with contempory furniture 'design' the exclusive domain of 'designer set' clientele. Very little of contempory design advances filter through to the masses. I believe the 90's to be a time to challenge many thoughts and ideas that the 20th century has created. from past generations the moderns have inherited two things as Hugo von Hofmansthal observed: fine antique furniture and hypersensitive nerves. \"In furniture there is all that draws us to the past and in our nerves the drama of the presents doubts.\" THE HISTORY OF INTERIOR DECORATION BY MARIO PRAZ PUBLISHED THAMES & HUDSON My research may take me into the abstract allowing me the freedom to create designs from a variety of sources whether that be in response to a feeling the use of materials or from some attention to detail. My work will reflect the summary of my investigations within a contempory cultural context which incorporates our way of life values customs beliefs and living conditions."