The Arts and Crafts Movement

The Arts and Crafts Movement

Larry, Shiner in his contributions on the Invention of art, makes readers understand art by drawing the basics of art from the history, stating that the arts and crafts is a modern development which dates back to the history of its development in Europe in the early eighteenth century. Shiner argues through his well organized and admirably conscious book that art and craft has its own extent of entertainment as well as complexity in matters that require deeper understanding. The history of arts and crafts can be traced to the early 18^th century, with its origin in England. Although this style was practiced by different American artists, their results were different. In the United States, the style became very famous and went in the name of the Mission style. Thinkers, such as John Ruskin and Walter Crane, who inspired the major social reforms that took place in the early 18^th century, came up with this movement, throwing a challenge in the Victorian era. Morris William, who is a renowned reformer in design, also participated actively in the development of this style.

The arts and crafts movement was closely related to the society because whatever good was being designed implied the good deeds of the society. This represented a view of the society where individuals were no longer exposed to the hard labor in industries, but deriving satisfaction from their skills and expertise in craftsmanship. During this period, there was the rise of classes in consumer goods as well as in the manufacturing of consumer goods. During this time, there was poor designing of goods and products which were being manufactured. Morris and Ruskin, came with the view that it was better to revive individual craftsmanship, not only to enable individuals earn a living, but also to ensure that the products produced were of high quality. The goal of this movement was therefore to come up with a design by the people, for the people and also to serve a source of pleasure to the user of the product and also the maker. With such development, individuals could produce products which would better the lives of ordinary citizens and also provide employment that was decent to the citizens.

The most outstanding and vital thing brought about by arts and crafts movement was modernism, a movement culture associated and strongly rooted in Germany way back during the first world war. Such designs as Gropius were by then partially invented in Germany before the coming of Bauhaus. Majority of the Germans turned their backs on other experiments and focused on sensible structures. This led to others being influenced in the 20th century to the centre and saw many attending conferences otherwise meant to publicize Bauhaus.

A Russian centre incepted at the same era borrowed greatly from arts and crafts movement from its designing to organization. Art in modern designs was first practiced by these two. The two got support from the government to integrate the old and the new in architectural and designing fields. Although the Russian centre was far much greater it was not well known and especially towards West. With architectural courses and designing getting to be known globally, the two centers compared so many issues. This was being influenced by the architecture instructors.

The arts and crafts movement had great effects on artistic work as well as architecture in United States and Europe many years after it had succumbed as majority of its followers were victimized by Nazi movement. In fact many of the structures put up at that time are associated with Bauhaus design. The most outstanding contribution of its time is in the latest furniture materials. The centre in which learning was taking place was also greatly admired and was probably the outstanding architectural work by Bauhaus. The structure instantly went hand in hand with the sentiment. Dessau, the structure’s name, became famous not only because of its unique design but also due to the fact that its inventor equally invented the learning centre. It in itself portrayed the dreams of Bauhaus movement. Upon its dedication, the whole celebration was aired globally and it was identified as an outstanding and unique work of modernism. The credit directly and with no doubt went to one Gropius.

In conclusion the arts and crafts movement has all those persons who trusted their gifts with the centre to thank. The founder himself was a role model and was gifted in getting people to see his dream come true. With the centre existing for fourteen years under the hands of various directors, they with no doubt gave the best there was although every new instance of leadership came with its own changes. With all this happening, Dessau era remained the most outstanding in the center’s legacy.