blog 2.2

1. How did the IR spark the arts and crafts movement?

Mass production techniques starting during the IR and this outraged artists such as William Morris because it took the creativity out of art and broke it up into so many pieces that the whole creative process became benign and craftsmen; irrelevant. The artists who refused to stand for this came up with a new relationship between designer and craftsman. Thus the recreation of Guilds, the creation of skilled craftsmen and the use of local inspiration was born. This birth is referred to as The Arts and Crafts movement.

2. What were the designers of the era reacting to? How was this evident in their work?

Designers were reacting to change. The near approach of extinction of an ancient relationship between designer and craftsman and a retiring of hand made high quality works of art. I believe the artists weren't prepared to see their skills become history and fought for their trade. Although the lines were often more simple than the medieval heavy carvings so popular previously, they more reflected a local rustic aire that is so easily still used and seen as beautiful today. With the arts and crafts movement, the inspiration came from local scenery such as local flowers and plants as well as indigenous materials such as clay, wood and silver. The A & C movement reminds many of a country feel with a Gothic edge. It can really be divided into three basic parts; rustic simplicity mixed with simple shapes such as hearts and, Gothic throwback featuring pointed arches and looming structures and complex nature featuring local flora and fauna in repeating and beautiful designs.

3. Many designers such as Mackmurdo believed guilds were needed so that each member of the creative process would be recognized for their work. Guilds also created a tight knit group in which the craftsmen ran the show rather than simply being the creator of the design and possibly not even named in the credits as he would previously have been known. Guilds made every individual important in the production of a whole product. This was especially important during the Arts and Crafts movement because designers and craftsmen were being lost in the production with mass production taking over. Many craftsmen lost their place and job, so having guilds was a perfect way to give them back a sense of self and make them aware of just how needed they still were.