Blog 5

Locovisual


Building Researched:
Bank of New Zealand (Te Aro Branch Building)
192-194 Cuba Street

"Bank of New Zealand" photo taken by Jay Tapp

I decided to research the old Bank of New Zealand building, since I have done a bit of research on it before. This building sparked my interest because it is a good example of an old heritage building in New Zealand that in my opinion has been ruined by modern architecture. As we can see in this photo I took, it shows the whole building from side on with the new interior inside which is now Burger King. At the top of the building there's also a new apartment building thats been built directly on top of this fine piece of architecture. The Te Aro Branch of the Bank of New Zealand was constructed in 1912-1913 and was designed by William Turnbull. This building is a great example of the ancient Edwardian Baroque style, adapting the needs of commercial buildings back during that time. "Its solidity evokes dignity, stability, security - and these imposing splendid facades have a great concern for concentrating ornament to give a convincing impression of power and wealth." - NZHPT BCC Report, p2. As such, this building symbolized the greatest prosperity of British imperial and commercial power. 
By introducing an entirely new storey on top of this heritage building, in my opinion ruins the value and history of it. The new apartment building that's been built on top of it, is completely different compared to the rest of it, being designed with a modern architecture style. William Turnbull would not be impressed if he'd seen this. But that's only the exterior, the interior has also been transformed drastically, with it being Burger King. The lighting has been changed as well along with the value of the building in the present day. 


Main resources:


Garnett, O. (2002). Living in Style: A Guide to Historic Decoration and Ornament.
            London, National Trust Enterprises Ltd.


Gatley, J. (1996). Bank of New Zealand Te Aro Branch.
           Wellington, New Zealand.

Other resources:


Heritage Building Search. (n.d.). Retrieved from.
           http://www.wellington.govt.nz/services/heritage/details.php?id=238&m=building&p=0


Bank Of New Zealand (Te Aro Branch Building). (n.d.). Retrieved from.
           http://www.historic.org.nz/TheRegister/RegisterSearch/RegisterResults.aspx?RID=1338

Blog 4

Curatorial




Fluid Form


“A figure with curves always offers a lot of interesting angles.” - Wesley Ruggles


This model accentuates the beautiful curve style that my precedent Frank Lloyd Wright has put into his architecture work with the “Guggenheim” building as an example. The style of curve is similar to an upside down cone, it’s swift and clean throughout with no edges within. The model also consist of the abstract linear lines from the work of Kandinsky’s “Composition VIII” which is the complete opposite compared to Wright’s work.


This model also contains the sense of expressionism. It creates the mood that there’s these sensual and elegant curves, but then have been distored by stabbing through 2 sharp sticks to disrupt this idea. The model is based upon these 2 precendents, with the main frame of the model being the main lines Kandinsky uses. These were made out of wooden sticks, then painted black to portray the dominance of the frame. The curves were made out of a thin drafting film. This is a clear plastic material and would suit this model because it is contrasted with the frame of it, adding that graceful look in it. 


The model further introduces symmbolism, symmbolising the
architecture-like structure in the precedents work. I felt my model was 
accomplished in showing all these things because the precedents art work was portrayed succesfully.


N. Pioch. (2002, July 31). Kandinsky, Wassilly. Retrieved from  
http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/kandinsky/
“Guggenheim”. Retrieved from
        http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/about/frank-lloyd-wright-building
“Brainy Quote”. Retrieved from
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/curves.html

Blog 3

Antiques Hunter
English Rococo Silver Plate serving Dish Folgate C1890 

During the time when Louis XV (1710–1774) was the king of France, he gave way to a new style of delicacy and refinement known as Rococo. This serving dish has obvious elements linked to the style of the French Rococo but was not made during that time, it was created in 1890 over 100 years after the main Rococo period. This antique piece bears the hallmark of the Folgate Silver Company, which was in operation between 1875 to 1900.

The French Rococo style was known to include patterns such as vines, flowers, and shells, giving it the elegant and graceful look Louis wanted during his reign. This antique serving dish clearly shows the vine-like beauty around the outer rim of the dish, with its handle having a matching cover decorated with its leaf style design. The decorated handle is also removable, allowing both halves of the dish to be used as serving dishes if desired.

"Silver has always held an exalted position within the decorative arts" (J. Munger, 2003). This hand-crafted silver serving dish originating from England distinguishes itself from other media such as wood, glass and porcelain, which do not have inherent value. This antique would have justified a purpose back from it's origin, giving it a sign of wealth and status. Silver dining is very common now making this antiques value profitless today.  

Trade Me Link - http://www.trademe.co.nz/antiques-collectables/silver-metalware-tins/silver/silver-plate/auction-457145161.htm


Munger, Jeffrey. "French Silver in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History.  
           New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/fsilv/hd_fsilv.htm  
           (October 2003)


Tour: 18th-Century France - The Rococo and Watteau Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved From
           http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/gg54/gg54-over1.html


"France, 1600–1800 A.D.". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–.   
           http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/?period=09®ion=euwf (October 2003)

Blog 2

Research Statement and Annotated Bibliography
Research Field: Gothic Revival


1. A book with single author
Classical and Gothic by Michael McCarthy
The content of this source would be very useful for my topic of choice, since this book is all about the Gothic Revival. This book has a lot of examples in it of illustrations describing how each one has been influential and has had its effect in the past. 


McCarthy, M. (2005). Classical and Gothic: studies in the
                  history of art. Great Britain: MPG Books, Bodmin, Cornwall. 


2. A scholarly journal article
Gothic Histories: The Taste for Terror, 1764 to the Present by Clive Bloom. Posted by Tony Venezia
This source would be useful for my topic because it's an article that informs us readers about this book written by an author who has studied the gothic histories. It outlines all the details of what is to be expected in the book, and how useful it would be compared to other books like it.


Venezia, T. (2010). Gothic Histories: The Taste for Terror, 1764 to the Present. London 
                  Continuum. Retrieved from 
                  http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-2431779021.html


3. An edited book
The Gothic Revival by Kenneth Clark and J. Mordaunt Crook
The content of this source comes in very useful for my topic. It was written by one of the greatest art historians of the century, Kenneth Clark, and contains the best introduction to an influential architectural and decorative arts movement the UK has ever produced. This source contains new explorations and ideas of the revival, along with details of people like Augustus Welby Pugin, Gilbert Scott and John Ruskin, who have been influential throughout the century.


Clark, K. (1950). The Gothic Revival (2nd ed.). Crook, J. M. (Ed.). 
                   Great Britain: Butler & Tanner Limited


4. A website
Ontario Architecture Website by Shannon Kyles
This website is very useful because it's all about architecture, and has a whole page devoted to the Gothic Revival. The website was started by Shannon Kyles and all articles and photographs have been done by her, showcasing Gothic architecture from the 1750 to 1900. 


Kyles, S. (2002). Ontario Architecture Website.
                   Retrieved from http://www.ontarioarchitecture.com/gothicrevival.html


5. An image
Design for an Egyptian room for Lord Charlemont, 1762 by J.H. Muntz
This image would prove useful to my topic because it informs us about Gothic "Egyptian" referring to the contents of the room. In this case it shows us the vases that J. H. Muntz designed with that gothic design to it.

McCarthy, M. (2005). Classical and Gothic: studies in the history of art. Design for an Egyptian room                             

                   for Lord Charlemont. [Photograph]. (fig. 1.8. p28.) Muntz. J. H. (1764).

Blog 1

Design Persona


Getting a B+ to my family is like getting an Asian F. Anything lower would be considered mediocre. My names Jay and no I am not the best at design, nor will I ever will be. But the pressure of high consistency gives me the drive of inspiration mixed with passion to create that motivation within me. That being said, I guess my parents would have to be my biggest motivators. I moved here 14 years ago from the Philippines, and since I've been here, they've taught me and pushed me at everything I had ever done. Throughout my past I found that I was quite the natural artist, and I would always get good grades from all my artwork. It was during college however that I was introduced to something new and exciting; photoshop. This is when the inner designer in me came out. It was like I was introduced to a whole new world. Straight away design became my favored subject, I had developed a passion for creating new things and communicating in a entirely different way. I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life, so i decided to start my journey by coming to Victoria University of Wellington and studying Design Innovation. This course offers me a wide range of fields, although I am still undecided what major I will pursue to get in for next year, Media Design is definitely an option. I'm making it my goal. This year I'll work harder than I've ever worked before and conquer every obstacle in my way, plus have fun doing it at the same time. I can't wait to see what the design industry has install for me, because design is all around us. It is in everything.