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Twentieth
Century Classics
Although 20th century Modernism is now seen more as a style amongst others rather than a vision for the future, it still has a lot to offer to those involved in contemporary design. Particularly the fact that Modernist architecture and interior design at its best was always more than utilitarian concrete, steel and glass. Its interest in non-western culture is being rediscovered as well: Artists such as Paul Klee, Hans Arp and Pablo Picasso found inspiration in the vibrancy of North African culture in the 1920s.
Architects such as Alvar Aalto, Frank Lloyd Wright, Ray and Charles Eames and furniture designer Poul Kjaerholm offset new materials with fine wood, leather and other natural finishes and furnished their domestic interiors with Moroccan rugs and other non-western art.
Photography: 'Falling Water' ,
Bear Run PA, 1937 – Frank Lloyd Wright
(source: Dover Publications Inc., New York)