BEAUTY + UTILITY

What did Jones mean? Do you agree or

disagree? Discuss in relation to an example of

either ‘construction decorated’ or ‘decoration

constructed’.

Owen Jones had a very strong opinion on the structure, form and function of objects. He believed that the ornamentation should not affect the function of the object. I agree with Jones because I to believe that form should come secondary to function. For example the ‘Candelabra Paris, 1734” ‘is an example of ‘decoration constructed’ because it shows how the designer has thought to make something rich and glamorous before thinking to make it practical and functional. The candle should look sturdy and true instead it is curvaceous and warped. Also the form of a flower does not a relevant representation of the object. 

ORNAMENT OR NATURE

Adolf Loos argued in 1908 that, “The evolution of

culture is synonymous with the removal of ornament

from objects of daily use.” Do you agree or disagree?

Why?

Adolf loos argued that the evolution of culture is synonymous with the removal of ornament from objects of daily use. I agree with his beliefs because materials that make up everyday objects has a beauty of its own. If our culture evolved with the idea of ornamenting everything, everything would cost more, there would be no choice and the beauty of nature’s materials would be lost.

The cost to ‘ornament’ say a table would cost a lot more then todays table. Making a table would be a talent in its self, forcing a material in to a shape nothing like itself and overly decorated just to eat dinner on. In today’s time in a recession these types of objects would be highly unaffordable and unnecessary. The ornamentation would be simply for the rich and the fools. Because of today’s money crisis if everything was ornamented , there would be no choice for the less fortunate. It would rob families of everyday objects.

Apple is one of the world’s leading company’s and ornamentation is not something they use. The ipad is a great example of the simple materials, used as they should be. Simple lines, plane colour and no patterns or exaggerated warpping in the material. Although the materials used aren’t all from nature but it is not trying to be more then it is.