Art Nouveau (literally translates to ‘New Art’) is an artistic style that flourished in Europe and the US from around 1890 to 1910. The style of Art Nouveau is characterized by its detail orientedness and features long, elegant, rhythmic and organic lines. It features the graceful use of flowers, buds, vines, leaves, insects and other delicate organic life. The movement drew inspiration from both nature and geometry. Art Nouveau influenced illustration, graphic arts, furniture, ornamental designs, stained glass, architecture and so on.

Art Nouveau sought to move away from the academic type art, such as historicism, that was popular around the 19th century and to modernize design. It could be seen as the first attempt to modernize art and design, however the movement faded with the ending of World War I.

Defining Artists

Alphonse Mucha

Alphonse Mucha is most known for his theatre posters during this period. His posters mostly featues theatre actresses and other women in a portraiture of fantasy. The artist rejected the label of Art Nouveau, however the style was developed through his influence.

Gustav Klimt

Prior to the movement Klimt was already known for his very embellished style of work. During his “Goldern Phase” which lasted from to, some of Klimt’s well known works such as The Kiss, is considered a leading example of the Art Nouveau movement.

References:

https://www.invaluable.com/blog/art-nouveau-artists/

https://www.theartstory.org/movement/art-nouveau/ https://www.theartstory.org/movement/art-nouveau/

10 Art Nouveau Artists Who Defined the Movement

“Certainty is a closing of the mind. To create something new you must have doubt.”

Milton Glaser

Milton Glaser is a renowned American designer and illustrator. Born in 1929 New York City, Glaser studied at the High School of Music and Art, then the Cooper Union School of Art in New York. After which he finalized his studies at the Academy of Fine Art in Italy. He is also the co-founder of Pushpin Studios and New York Magazine. During 1954, the use of naturalistic illustration for mass media imaging was on the decline as photography and television began to change the visual communication industry.

Glaser and his team at Pushpin Studios drew from popular culture, their understanding of modern art and non-western art, to construct an new conceptual approach to graphic design. A naturalistic and traditional approach to graphic design was at the core of this new approach. Glaser believes that computers streamlines the approach to design.

“Computers are to design as microwaves are to cooking.”

Milton Glaser

Gallery

I Heart NY

Milton Glaser is probably best known for his I Heart NY design.

This design is a logo that was accompanied by a song and is the basis of an advertising campaign and have been used since 1977 to promote tourism in New York City. In the vastly multicultural diaspora of the city, anyone there could translate image, which is the core of visual communication. The logo was created 4 decades ago and is now symbolic to the spirit or New York.

Bob Dilan’s Greatest Hits Album Poster

Another well know design from the artist is his special poster mad to accompany Bob Dilan’s Greatest Hits album in 1966. The poster features a silhouette of Bob Dilan in profile and his curly hair implied with curly and wavy shapes in very saturated colours. This alludes to the popularity of psychedelic drugs that was gaining popularity in the counter culture at the time.

Inspired Works

Portrait of Milton Glaser by illustrator Jeanne Detallante for the Observer (2016). The swirls and saturated colours are inspired by Glacer’s Bob Dylan Greatest Hits album poster.

“Day Dreamer” (2018) by Vincent Trinidad inspired by the concept of psychedelia in Glacier’s Bob Dylan Greatest Hits album poster.

Artist’s Bio.

Morag Myerscough is a designer born in Holloway, North London in 1963. She was raised in a fairly unconventional family of musicians, artists and performers. Inspired by her environment, Myerscough decided to study art at the Center of Saint Martens in London followed by the Royal College of Art.

               Myerscough’s work is anything but subdued. Her work is characterized by  use by its playfulness, boldness and its creation of an engaging and whimsical environment. “Myerscough is known around the world for her distinct approach making large scaffold structures adorned with neon geometric patterns and shapes often incorporating positive messaging hand painted onto plywood.” (Design Indaba). Often collaborating with architects and communities, Myerscough  creates spaces that reflects the identity of the users in the local area.

Gallery

Some of Morag Myerscough’s noted works include:

The Temple of Agape (in collaboration with Luke Morgan), 2014

The Temple of Agape was designed for London’s Festival of Love in 2014. Based on the Greek concept of agape love, “love for humanity”. It is constructed from plywood and scaffolding.

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Super Hot (in collaboration with Luke Morgan), 2017

This huge neon installation created for the 7^th Summer Well Festival in Romania, as a stage for live performances. The installation rises from amongst  the trees, and by night, transforms into a whimsical glowing performance venue. Also made from plywood and scaffolding.

In conclusion, I think Myerscough’s work is very effective at creating inviting and joyful environments. Her use of vibrant neons and lively composition truly helps to amplify the purpose of her work and her pieces inevitably captures the attention of her audiences. I also find her installations very suitable for public spaces as the alluring  and exuberant nature of her work creates an ambiance for spaces where people can enjoy themselves.