Modernism in Australia During the Interwar Period
Design a modern country
Modernism in Australia during the interwar period
Yiting Zheng
7270585
Faculty of Life and Social Science
Though the start of the modernisation may trace back to the beginning of Industrial Revolution. “Modernism in the design world did not exist in a fully developed form, until well after First World War.” (Wilk, 2006) Causing the great loss of lives and other countless damage to the world, it reshaped many people’s way of thinking the world. With the inspiration of early avant-garde movement, the modernism began to emerge advocating an utopian future and shared certain core principles by various styles of modernists: rejecting the past and applied ornament; forms follow function, a preference for abstraction; and a belief that design and technology could transform society.(Wilk, 2006) Here then, Modernism started off from Europe and soon spread all over the world making its great influence in 20th century design till this day. Australia is one of the early receivers of modernism in the mid-1910s through European migrants, expatriates and publications. However, Australia’s reception to modernism is a complex story of cultural transformation where it often met strong resistance from general public and art establishments. Despite such resistance, modernism have made great impact on reshaping the environment to affecting body image, social life and ideals about design in Australia’s modernity. (“Modernism - australia.gov.au”, n.d.) So what is like of modernism, modernisation and modernity in Australia in the early years during the interwar period?
fg1. Australia Surf Club, designed by Gert Sellheim
The First World War destroyed great amount of people’s homes in Europe and led many of them migrate to Australia where it is far from the battlefield. They brought with them skills, knowledge, experience and culture. (“Changing face of modern Australia”, n.d.) The famous architect and graphic designer Gert Sellheim, who designed
Modernism in Australia during the interwar period
Yiting Zheng
7270585
Faculty of Life and Social Science
Though the start of the modernisation may trace back to the beginning of Industrial Revolution. “Modernism in the design world did not exist in a fully developed form, until well after First World War.” (Wilk, 2006) Causing the great loss of lives and other countless damage to the world, it reshaped many people’s way of thinking the world. With the inspiration of early avant-garde movement, the modernism began to emerge advocating an utopian future and shared certain core principles by various styles of modernists: rejecting the past and applied ornament; forms follow function, a preference for abstraction; and a belief that design and technology could transform society.(Wilk, 2006) Here then, Modernism started off from Europe and soon spread all over the world making its great influence in 20th century design till this day. Australia is one of the early receivers of modernism in the mid-1910s through European migrants, expatriates and publications. However, Australia’s reception to modernism is a complex story of cultural transformation where it often met strong resistance from general public and art establishments. Despite such resistance, modernism have made great impact on reshaping the environment to affecting body image, social life and ideals about design in Australia’s modernity. (“Modernism - australia.gov.au”, n.d.) So what is like of modernism, modernisation and modernity in Australia in the early years during the interwar period?
fg1. Australia Surf Club, designed by Gert Sellheim
The First World War destroyed great amount of people’s homes in Europe and led many of them migrate to Australia where it is far from the battlefield. They brought with them skills, knowledge, experience and culture. (“Changing face of modern Australia”, n.d.) The famous architect and graphic designer Gert Sellheim, who designed