DSDN 171: Curatorial

"Straight is the line of duty, curved is the line of beauty; follow the straight line, thou shalt see the curved line ever follows thee."  ~William McCall

Developed from his own original design, Sebastien Voerman's design is created from vellum, steel wire, and cotton thread.

The design was created with two things in mind. First, the design had to represent the idea of fluid form, and second, it needed to harmonise curves and straight lines. 

It was developed from two precedents, Joost Schmidt's "Plakat zur Bauhaus-Ausstellung in Weimar 1923" (Refer to Figure 1.) , for the straight lines, and then the Guggenheim in Bilbao (Refer to Figure 2) , designed by Frank Gehry, for the curves.
Both precedents have been profound inspirations for Voerman's work. The right angle and logicality of the Schmidt's work can be seen very clear in the orchestration of the wire and stitching, while the flowing curve and almost chaotic fluid motion is evident in the vellum curves.

Voerman wanted to present the idea of reason versus chaos in his work, an essence which he was trying to capture via means of juxtaposing the curve and straight line against one another.
The concept of playing these elements off against each other, while still harmonising them, is done in such a way that neither can "live" without the other. The stitching and wire could not support itself, and likewise, the vellum alone would not stay upright if it were on its own.

While the swinging curve harks both to Gehry's work and Art Nouveau, the stitching presents an ideal of the Gothic Revival movement. Elements that aid construction should not necessarily be hidden, but displayed in a fashion that complements the overall design.

Voerman presents a tasteful amalgamation of multiple periods and design ideals in a simple, minimalist work that successfully captures the idea of fluid form.


References

Christiansen, R. (2007).  Rupert Christiansen on regenerating inner cities through investment in the arts. The Arts Column. Retrieved from  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

Figure 1. Schmidt, J. (1923).  Plakat zur Bauhaus-Ausstellung in Weimar 1923 [Colour Lithograph]. From the Bauhaus Archive, Berlin. Retrieved from http://www.bauhaus.de/aktuelles/neuerwerbungen+M52087573ab0.html

Figure 2. Pons, E. (2001). Inner Courtyard [Colour Photograph]. From the Guggenheim. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/3665615/The-arts-column.html

                  Figure 1.                                                                                   Figure 2.