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Essay / Analysis of the Tartar Table and the Servant Costume as Great Examples of Postmodernism
Table of ContentsBackgroundLiterature ReviewConclusionPostmodernism was a time when architecture and design began to move away from the traditional design that preceded it. Design began to become more subjective and diverse. When looking at postmodern design, the argument that postmodernism is more about design is called into question. The Tartare Table was created by Ettore Sottsass in 1985. A set called Bondage Suit was made by Vivienne Westwood, in collaboration with Malcolm McLaren, made between 1976 and 1980. Although both are great examples of the postmodernism period, The Tartar Table would be considered a much better representation than the bondage costume. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayPostmodernism was a period of breaking away from past art and expressing more interpentational works, which could be seen from several ways. With the idea of postmodernism representing this more unique style, a comparison can be made and decide which one is more representative of the postmodern style. Introduction Ettore Sottsass, in 1985, created the Table Tartare. This piece was made for the Memphis Milano company. The piece is constructed of reconstituted wood veneer, plastic laminate, lacquer and plywood. This piece is a creative and unique take on a standard console table and done in the postmodern style. The piece has a black base, with a black support running up the left side, meeting a beige-colored rectangular block, which "balances" on the support rail and rests partially on it, and another, slightly shorter, black base than the base below. . There is a second white support slightly offset to the right of the piece that connects to the top base. On the right is a marble patterned final support, set on a red block and also connected to the upper base. The bottom base is black across the entire block, while the top base is black on the top and bottom, with diagonal lines intersecting around the outer edges. Above the upper base is a second rectangular block, similar to the other but slightly larger, skinnier and red. Between the two bases, between the side supports and behind the central support is a thin patterned piece of wood, which is a sort of quarter circle with the top cut off, and is smaller than the two bases in the direction of the length, and connects to both bases.Vivienne Westwood created the Bondage Suit in the late 1970s (1976-1980). This costume was made of cotton and metal. Vivienne created a costume in collaboration with Malcolm McLaren. It originated from the standard military pants of the time. He saw them and made them the same color as the backs of British railway workers' waistcoats, a shiny black satin, that McLaren had seen. The set is a black trench coat, with a large collar, a few pockets and zipped. Underneath the trench coat is what appears to be a button-up shirt with dull, light colors. The pants are long black pants, to which is attached a sort of skirt, supported by chains, which is also black. Between the knees and up to the arms are bondage straps, added by Mclaren. Context When comparing these two works of art and their relationship to the idea of postmodernism itself, it is important to examine how the objects create this relationship. A hallmark of postmodernism was "the idea of breaking down the distinction between high and low art, particularly by incorporating elements of popular culture...". The wholeBondage Suit, created by Vivienne, is a great example of taking the normal and incorporating it into the "punk" style of the time. Ettore also does this in his incorporation of color and erratic design used to transform an ordinary console table into a unique, vibrant work of art representative of its era. David Raizman in Modern Design History discusses these layered surfaces and the juxtaposition of patterns, and relates them to other works of art. He then goes on to discuss "contradictory and overlapping interpretations that are not atypical of postmodern forms..." These statements emphasize the Tartare Table's relationship to postmodernism. The brilliantly layered surfaces and the use of its juxtaposition along with all the interpretations left by this piece reinforce the postmodern style. Raizman also takes on Vivienne's work, describing it and others like it as follows: "The clothes evoke underground pornography and bondage with chains, tight-fitting elastic and shiny materials, and unbridled freedom of expression intended to celebrate difference and test the limits of decorum. " This quote helps show the connection between the pieces and postmodernism, as free speech and testing the boundaries of property are great examples of postmodern style. Another characteristic of postmodernism that relates more to the table Tartarus that the whole bondage costume is the " idea that there was an inherent meaning in a work of art or that this meaning was determined by the artist at the time of creation. "This relates to the Tartar table and supports its relationship with the postmodern style, because when looking at the piece it has no apparent meaning and allows the interpretation of sight to decide. Interpretations of this piece can be made through the formation of the individual pieces, or the colors they possess, or even through the use of positive and negative spaces in the piece. The bondage costume can relate to this feature as the idea. of what this costume represents can be interpreted differently and apply a different meaning depending on who and at what time that person sees it. When looking at the tartar table and the bondage costume and thinking about which of the two is displaying it. better the ideas of postmodernism, the tartare table seems to have a better relationship The use of juxtaposition not only in the use of color, but also in the positioning of the pieces that make up this piece are very representative of the Postmodern style. The design of the piece does not take away from its function as a console, but takes the traditional ordinary object and makes it unusual and unique. The bondage costume, on the other hand, is unique and the design does not necessarily limit its function, but it is not to the same extent as the tartare table. Literature Review Scholar David Raizman published the textbook The History of Modern Design. This manual was very helpful in my creation of this article. Raizman's writing was very well organized and easy to follow and understand. This was helpful in understanding modern design and would also be helpful to those interested in learning more. The content is informative and interesting to read. Colleen Adours, Ashbee: Dawn of the Modern Movement in Design Through the Age of "Jack the Ripper"!, was another helpful source when writing this article. The researchers' article was helpful in my understanding of creating a comparison article. It allowed me to learn the layout and style of the article. The article was well organized and clear to follow, making the process of learning the layout simple. Sarah's article.