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Constructing and Problematising ‘Masculinity’ in Synder’s Epic ‘300′
What is masculinity? How is it constructed? And how is it problematised when the male body is put on display as spectacle? These questions are significant to the ongoing debates surrounding masculinity, particularly those in the musical, western and epic film genres. I am interested in how masculinity is constructed and problematised when the male body is put on display as spectacle. With the well sculpted “rigs” of hotties Gerard Butler, Michael Fassbender and David Wenham on display for our ...
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Commodity Culture in the College Bathroom
As an undergraduate, I attended Ormond College, a residential college of the University of Melbourne. Many of the subjects I took in my first year were surrounded topics of culture, media and everyday life. Although much of a student’s first year is generally more concerned with extra-curricular social activities than their studies, I distinctly remember a lecture on commodity culture that really got me thinking about my social identity. To curb this curiosity on commodity culture, I undertook a little study, ...
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Practices of Looking
Practices of Looking According to “Practices of Looking” representation “refers to the use of language and images to create meaning about the world around us.” Sturken and Cartwright comment upon the debate surrounding systems of representation. Do we make sense of the world through systems of representation in which the world is reflected back at us? Or is it rather that the systems of representation construct meanings about the world? It is an interest debate. The question I wonder is ...
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Art Deco: From 20th to 21st Century
The 1920s saw the birth of Art Deco, a striking design style inspired by the exotic imagery of African art, and various preceding 20th century styles, the most notable of which being Cubism and Constructivism. Not only did Art Deco permeate all areas of design but it influenced designers internationally. It remains a prevalent source of inspiration today, evident in fashion, jewellery, furniture, architecture, advertising and graphic design. Graphic Design: Art Deco from the 20th to the 21st Century 20th Century Art ...
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Basketball Shoes
In the 21st century, how far has design really come? Are we constantly creating new and unique designs or are contemporary design merely a recreation of the past? Lets take a look at the basketball shoe… 20th Century Basketball Shoe Design: Converse All Star “Chuck Taylor” In 1917 Converse Rubber Corporation developed a shoe basketball shoe that went on to shape the face of basketball shoes for the next 50 years. These acclaimed shoes were known as All Star, “Chuck ...
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Surrealist Crockery: Meret Oppenheim and Betty Hirst
Surrealism Surrealism is a 20th Century avant-garde art movement that gained prominence after World War I. Born out of Dadaism, a movement predominantly concerned with nihilism, Surrealism pushed the boundaries of art and design, stressing the significance of the unconscious and non-rational thought in art creation. By premising the creative process, such as automatic drawing, over the artistic outcome, Surrealist artists produced uncanny and thought-provoking pieces of art that were enriched with unexpected juxtapositions. 20th Century Surrealist Artist: Meret Oppenheim ...
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Paper Designs: Campbell’s Soup Company and Matt Gagnon
20th Century Paper Design: The Souper Dress During the 1960s, the ScottPaper Company developed a paper dress as a marketing tool. To ScottPaper’s surprise the dress became an in-demand fashion item. As commercial demand grew, companies began to develop their own dress designs to gain a share of the paper dress market. Circa 1966, Cambell’s Soup produced a paper dress in the style of Andy Warhol’s famous painting “Campbell’s Soup cans.” Today, this dress is one of iconic paper ...
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The Cantilever Principle
The term ‘cantilever’ refers to a beam or structural framework that is anchored at one end but free at the other. Design wise, the cantilever principle allows for a structure to extend beyond its fixed point, and overhang without supportive brackets. This allows for some interesting design possibilities as the structure’s more traditional points of support are removed. Cantilevers are widely adopted in the construction engineering of bridges and balconies. Cape Schanck House by JacksonClementsBurrows (JCB) Architects 20th Century Architect: Frank ...
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Wayfinding: North Glasgow College
When choosing materials for a wayfinding system, it is important to consider the environment in which the system is to be placed, as this will offer guidance on the types of materials that will integrate harmoniously. Whether the system is to be placed inside or outside a building will also help determine what materials are most appropriate for longevity, lighting, and durability, as well as the overall essence of the building’s ambience. The wayfinding systems for North Glasgow College in ...