Blog Assignment 2

Mr Smith the Second is a multi-coloured laminated beech chair by UK designer Anthony Hartley

Does the curve have a place in contemporary design or have we outgrown our sensuous impulse? During the rococo period designers believed that over artified pieces were more beautiful that the simple pieces from the classical period. It became a common way of designing objects. To take something simple and applying excessive ornamenting to it. Designer thought it was important to make everything look like a piece of art, including kitchen ware and household objects. However this approach had its critiques. Those that championed the more classical approach saw the use of the curve as succumbing to their sensuous impulse. It appeared as if they were pushing the design boundaries more than what was appropriate. I agree with the designers that kept to the classical styles of working. I am convinced that that the masculine approach to design in much more appealing.

In my opinion the piece shown above is an obvious example the continuing curve and its overly complex visuals. The function of a chair is to be sat on, to be comfortable and to suit its surroundings. To me this chair clearly would not fulfill its purpose. It is embellish with frivolous colours and patterns. The chair would be distracting when placed alongside other object and gives an obvious representation on being impractical. From just seeing a photograph of the chair it already appears uncomfortable and unpleasing,  there is generally to much going on. I believe the chair reflects its designer, one who likes to express himself visually without having a limit to what he displays. The chair is a perfect example of the saying ‘less is more’.