Modernist And Postmodernist Interior - Essay Example

? A Comparative Study Between A Modernist And Postmodernist Interior Executive Summary This paper is a critical analysis and discussion of modern and post-modern interior designs. It will focus in comparing selected modern and post-modern interior designs by expounding on their similarities and differences. Most importantly, this paper will show the connection between culture and interior designs. It will do so by analyzing the changes in different cultures currently experiencing change. As a global village, there is increased cultural interaction that has seen a lot of borrowing between cultures. These kinds of interactions are some of the forces that are responsible for shaping modernism and post-modernism development. The most visible progress from modernism to post modernism is not only exhibited through technology but also through architecture and interior designs (Piotrowsky, 2008, p.116). Withal, in the comparison of the two designs, this paper will also elaborate on the close links that tie together interior design and socio-cultural aspects of the society. It will also assess the interdependence between the two broad dynamics of each of these aspects (Tangaza, 2006, p. 80). It will sustain this by analyzing how a change in one aspect directly or indirectly prompts the other to change. In order to bring a clear understanding on the interconnectivity between these two major contexts, this paper will bases its assessment and comparison on relevant theories of modernism and post modernism. These are theories that explain the concepts of modernism and post-modernism in the context of the society and its culture. They also explain the role of other factors that may play in the background to help in attaining the overall change or shift from modernity to post-modernity. This is because it is essential to comprehend what necessitated the change and analyze whether the change was necessary in the first place. The world may be moving from modernity to post-modernity, but the transition pace differs from place to place. In fact there may be some areas that are still in a struggle to attain modernity. This implies that modernity and postmodernity will always exist side by side since the factors that determine them are so many. Some of these actors may be hard to achieve or attain for some regions more than it may be for some regions. Perhaps the best question on should be asking now is what exactly modernism and post modernism mean. After that it will be easier to understand the concept of modern interior designs and postmodern interior designs in architecture. The Concept of Modernism and Post-Modernism Some scholars are of the opinion that the concept of postmodernism is one that has arisen out of a desire and endeavor to move away from the eighteenth century enlightment philosophy. They claim that there was a need for man to come with present and more current ways of defining the present times and living by those standards that befit the current age. While this may be true, there is however a clear attempt or omission that skips one step. Postmodernity cannot come ahead of modernity. This brings us to the debate on whether one can clearly distinguish whether the concept of modernity and postmodernity is actually one thing. Can one sufficiently argue that postmodernity concept is one that man coined to celebrate his immense achievements although these achievements are just slightly above modernism? This may not presents clear distinction. Nevertheless, one can be bold enough to say that postmodernity exist side by side like two faces of the same coin. However, postmodernity presents an understanding of man’s response to humanity and making of great strides in his quest to make life better. Postmodernity therefore appears to be a new way of doing things in the best way possible. One can also say that postmodernism is movement towards decentralizing and dispersing of aspects about life. Call it a great shift to make modernity even better. Other scholars argue that postmodernity is man’s ambition to live beyond his current time. It represents new historicism in which man seeks perfection and subjects to question some commonly held belief about the pre-modern world. These include vies about truth and progress. Since the world has not yet attained this ambition uniformly, we are still largely in the modern times. They say that what has moved beyond what every Tom and Harry do are only some aspects about our everyday life. They interpret the concept of postmodernity to apply scatteredly but not uniformly. In fact, architectural interior designs also face the challenge of classification between modernity and postmodernity. Are these terms simply name tags, or how can one evaluate them? What parameters does one need to observe to categorize interior designs as either modern or postmodern? Well, cultural aspects of a society are glued to the changes taking place in the external environment. Conversely, one can also use modern and postmodern interior designs to analyze the socio-cultural aspects and history of people (Harwood et al, 2011, p. 162). Modern and Postmodern Interior Designs in Architecture Modern and postmodern interior designs are works that exhibit man’s artistic talents. What influences the interior designs is the period in which man lives and advances that science and technology makes. In other areas, what influences interior designs is culture and beliefs that one strongly believes in as a person. In other circumstances, cultures may be influenced by interior designs. What is more significant in interior designs is themes with which we can associate a give interior design. Some of modern and postmodern interior designs are as follows. 1. Pictures of Modern Interior design 2. Pictures of Postmodern Interior design Analysis of Modern and Postmodern Interior Designs An analysis of modern and postmodern interior designs reveals many similarities and differences in these artistic plans. To begin with themes, modern interior designs portray a lot of warm colors themes. For instance, modern interior designs in the first picture, the walls are finished with a progressively fading pink color. Observation shows that since the pink color is in the sitting room, the color is meant to appeal to the eyes, attract attention and kill boredom. It is unlike cool color that should relax the mind and such like. One can expect to find such colors on bedrooms where the mind, body and soul should relax. The finishing of the tables in the sitting room also portrays warm colors aspect in the first picture. The second picture which is also a modern living room also has color theme maintained in red, orange and yellow. These warm colors are mean to keep one focused and attentive. Perhaps one can say that the culture of the modern society is one that is very welcoming and minds about others comfort. It reveals socio-cultural aspect of the people such as social bonds in which people expect to get be strong. There also appears to be a culture of family togetherness in which people would love to sit together and while the time away especially after work (Russell, 2008, p. 18). Postmodernism culture also reveals the use of thematic colors probably as a relaxation therapy. The choice here is predominantly white and very little of warm colors (Princeton, 2009, p. 84). Probably this elaborates out to the culture of the postmodern man as too preoccupied with is career such that there is little time for social pleasures and interaction outside job. The postmodern man, unlike the modern man, appears to have very little interest in nurturing social bonds. His scarcely fitted sitting room defines his simplicity while the quality of is interior design defines his class. He portrays a culture of rising machination of the human mind. This is a culture that is work oriented and spends little time in building social relations. This theme and interior design in postmodern architecture is a forecast of what cultural values change with technology. Such postmodern interior design also forecasts cultural changes in which single families are increasingly becoming common (Princeton, 2009, p. 202). This is because people are increasingly becoming income oriented than culturally on track. It represents a generation that may erode cultural social values and institutions. Evidence from the interior designs is in the arrangement of seats in the living room. In the modern interior design, one can notice that the seats are arranged around a table. This is an attempt to make sure that at any one particular time, the family or a group of friends need to get together not just during meals. Having the seats in such an arrangement defines the modern culture as one in which people are open and ready for discussion, sharing of ideas, having fun moments together and ready to sustain the spirit of dialogue. The central theme as portrayed in the postmodern interior design is a culture that is suppressive and does not allow much expression of interests and popular opinion. The arrangement of seats in the postmodern picture do not give any clue of people coming together except when it is time to eat as portrayed in the dining table. Postmodernist therefore appear to use cultural aspects only when it fits his needs but not the interest of others. Truth be told, postmodernism has come with some advances that have improved life massively. It appears that man should be given protection from his invention. Postmodernism is in a capacity to destroy other aspects of human life despite the fact that it has tremendous effects on making life easier. The concern is that it ought not to make life only easier in the short run but also in the long run. Culture and technological advances can actually exist side by side without one affecting the other negatively. Respect for culture is the foundation upon which mankind made all advancement. Cultural dynamism and new historicism should work side by side to define and shape postmodernism. History reminds us that we witnessed the first advancements under the industrial revolution as a result of agrarian revolution which redefined people into classes. The fruits of technological advancements have been responsible for advancement from modernism to post modernism. Though culture may be perceived to be under threat, one cannot really be certain that what we continue to witness is just a process of change. People by their very nature tend to resists change (Harwood et al, 2011, p. 98). If one were to address the whole issue of effects of postmodernism expansion within the context of culture, then cultural relativism comes in. As a theory, cultural relativism focuses on established customs and moral codes. It is more about the way a society carries out its day to day life, the things that they find acceptable and the values they hold dear to them. Assessing modernism and postmodernism interior designs and their impact on culture becomes quite complex when one has to address conflicting issues. The major problem one should expect to find is the argument that although there may be changes from the norms of the society, majority are okay with that. This kind of argument then invokes cultural relativism and utilitarianism against statism. Well, it will be fallacious to accept that just because majority of the people have accepted the cultural change, then there nothing wrong. To summarize, it appears that modernism and postmodernism approach to socio-cultural aspects of our societies brings in controversies that requires a fresh chapter for debate (Piotrowsky, 2008, p.202). It is important that I mention that in terms of material culture such as technology and interiors of houses, the role of postmodernism and modernism concepts are making life better. As one can see in the above pictures, there is one big similarity in all of the interior designs pictures. All the pictures depict man’s effort to make life better for himself. Visual culture (Russell, 2008, p. 25) is one that represents man’s progress and success in subduing the earth. Bibliography Harwood, B., May, B. and Sherman, C., 2011. Architecture and Interior Design: An Integrated History to the Present. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Piotrowsky, C., 2008. Becoming an Interior Designer: A Guide to Careers in Design. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons. Princeton, L., 2009. Marketing Interior Design. New York: Allworth Press: Russell, S., 2008. The Architecture Of Light: A textbook of procedures and practices for the Architect, Interior Designer and Lighting Designer. San Diego: Conceptnine. Tangaz, T., 2006. Interior Design Course: Principles, Practices, and Techniques for the Aspiring Designer. New York: Barron's Educational Series. Read More