<![CDATA[FLORENCETHORNTON.GRILLUST.UK - History & Practice]]>Wed, 02 Aug 2023 20:56:00 +0100Weebly<![CDATA[Victor Moscoso]]>Wed, 02 Dec 2020 14:51:46 GMThttp://florencethornton.grillust.uk/history--practice/victor-moscoso
Victor's was influenced to use bright vibrant colours by one of his teachers at Yale, Josef Albers
Josef Albers
Victor was influenced by Art Nouveau but also a derivative of that style called Vienna Secession. Here are some examples:
]]>
<![CDATA[American mid century Illustration]]>Thu, 26 Nov 2020 10:41:18 GMThttp://florencethornton.grillust.uk/history--practice/american-mid-century-illustration
My attempt at the style.

Brian Sanders

Bernie Fuchs

Norman Rockwell

]]>
<![CDATA[Fashion, bad or not so bad ?]]>Tue, 24 Nov 2020 09:38:11 GMThttp://florencethornton.grillust.uk/history--practice/fashion-bad-or-not-so-bad At first I was reculant to talk about fashion as I find it superficial, it often objectifies women. 

But I did find a nice story in my favourite magazine, Enchanted Living.

The theme is Art nouveau, the mood is fairy tale. The message the photographer want's to convey is a connection to nature and animals, she does so with rescued animals who are used to human contact. The soft colour pallet and the graceful aesthetic of the models make the images magical. I feel that "fashion" doesn't need to be about high couture nor something to sell to the masses to make a bunch of money and pollute the planet further, but rather a chance to dream and create worlds we can escape to. Who needs big brands and a huge budget when a couple flowers and leaves, a forest, an animal or two and a hand painted panel can do the trick?
I wanted to find an example of why I don't like the "fashion" industry and sure enough I found it in the British Vogue... 

Megan Thee Stallion seems to be going for over sexualised cow girl theme. Girl being the fact that the photo shoot is done in what looks like a child's bedroom (Ew!).
Megan's words say "body positive" but her style and photo shoot scream porn industry. She claim's that all women should feel sexy no matter what they look like and I fully agree with her, however is that all we are as women? Why does this keep coming up in "fashion" magazines ? We should all feel sexy, but also smart, creative, kind and in touch with the world we live in. 
]]>
<![CDATA[Marianne Brandt and The Bauhaus]]>Thu, 29 Oct 2020 13:05:05 GMThttp://florencethornton.grillust.uk/history--practice/marianne-brandt-and-the-bauhaus
Marianna grew up in Chemnitz, she attended Weimar Saxon Grand Ducal Art School at the age of 18. She went on to study at the Bauhaus, and although they claimed to be egalitarian they were not and they would force the women into stereotypical and boring workshops. Thankfully Marianna was a fighter and fell in good favor with László Moholy-Nagy who got her into his metal workshop. She soon took over the position as first assistant an in 1927 and then filled his position in 1928. After she took over Moholy's job, she helped make some of the most important Bauhaus contracts for collaborations with industry. These contracts for the production of lights and other metal workshop designs were a rare example of one of the workshops helping to fund the school. After leaving the school in 1929 she became head of the metal design at the Ruppel firm in Gotha.​ But during the Nazi regime she went back home to Chemnitz from 1933 to 1945 where she produced mostly work for herself.
Marianna will be remembered for her fierce passion for art, and pioneering spirit in sculpture, metalwork, painting and photomontage. She helped pave the way for women to get a chance to be themselves and not stay in "girly girl" roles.
]]>
<![CDATA[Art Nouveau]]>Sat, 17 Oct 2020 09:35:47 GMThttp://florencethornton.grillust.uk/history--practice/art-nouveauArt nouveau was literally just trying to be new. The artists found inspiration in nature and the natural lines and forms, curves with hardly any edges. Apparently the movement was also partly inspired by a vogue for the linear patterns of Japanese prints (Ukiyo-e).
We can see that in Scotland architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh, who specialized in a predominantly geometric line.
Where as in France Art Nouveau was more floral 
In Vienna it was similar to what was going on in France, but I feel slightly more in a graphic design style
And in Spain they went for a bulbous and to be honest bit Gaudy (pun intended) style
]]>
<![CDATA[Japan Obsession]]>Sat, 17 Oct 2020 09:04:33 GMThttp://florencethornton.grillust.uk/history--practice/japan-obsession
 This painting by Mary Cassatt (left) clearly shows her passion for Japanese woodblock prints through the thin black lines and the lack of perspective. 
Lady Godiva by John Collier was not influenced by Japanese art, but as you see to the right, I am very PRB influenced.
]]>
<![CDATA[The Historical Object]]>Sat, 17 Oct 2020 08:41:14 GMThttp://florencethornton.grillust.uk/history--practice/the-historical-object
​I've chosen my vintage 1970's Laura Ashley dress.
A welsh fashion designer influenced by the Victorian era which, in Laura's mind, symbolised gentle and gracious living.
I feel like this piece doesn't reflect the fashion of the time, but more the mindset of the woman who created the brand that became incredibly popular.

The design of this dress is a princess cut made of 73% cotton and 27% viscose.

Green velvet: the color of growth, nature, and money. A calming color also that's very pleasing to the senses. Dark forest green is associated with terms like conservative, masculine and wealth. Velvet can be made from either synthetic or natural fibers. Because of its unusual softness and appearance as well as its high cost of production, velvet has often been associated with nobility.

I am unsure of the exact date this dress was made, but I think it was sometime during the 70's. This was a time of change, as people were fighting more and more for their rights, especially women all across the globe, maybe the designer was trying to hold on to the past in creating fabric and clothing inspired by the 19th century, trying to reflect wealth in a postwar world with social and economic changes. I would imagine it being popular with the upper classes.

The fashion of this time was influenced by Hollywood and pop bands as well as the hippie movement, mini skirts, hot pants, bell bottoms and turtlenecks were all the rage.
So to wear a dress in this conservative style would have been a statement of class and traditional values.

It may not be the most practical thing to wear for a hike, but I personally feel amazing when I wear it !
]]>