Cultural Relationships With Design

After reading about the Celts and their history, how has their culture filtered through to modern society both in Australia and the world in general?
It is amazing to know that the Celts were not just people that originated from Ireland; in fact they were various people from all over Europe. Generally it was those that spoke the Celtic languages. Celtic Art was introduced in the middle ages; it was very ornamental with its Knot work, spirals, key patterns, lettering, zoomorphic, plant forms and human figures. It was also know to cover a Hugh expanse of time, geography and cultures. Celtic art has three known “traditions-continental Iron Age art, Iron Age in Ireland and Britain and Insular art. The earliest tradition, continental Iron Age, is largely associated with the La Teneé culture, which emerged and flourished during the later part of the Iron Age. Celtic art has had an amazing influence to our modern society from around the world and Australia. Today Celtic art can be seen through our fashion, jewellery, body art, typography and much more.

Aboriginal art is defiantly visual. It is also much more to it’s artists and people. Can you comment on what a cultures art might mean to its people and how it can socially affect itself and other cultural groups.
Like European art, Aboriginal art represents and symbolises the world and the beliefs of their people. Traditional Aboriginal art represent the Dreaming but is often also a vital part of ceremonies. The Dreamtime (or Dreaming) is a term used to describe the period before living memory when Spirits emerged from beneath the earth and from the sky to create the landforms and all living things. The concept of art in traditional Aboriginal society is very different to the concept of art in European society. In traditional Aboriginal societies, activities like dancing, singing, body decorations, sand drawings, making implements or weaving baskets were not considered to be separate activities called art and design. All of these activities were a part of the Dreaming and a part of normal daily life. There was no concept of a special type of person, artists, because everyone was consider as an artist. This is changing as tradition adapt to aspects of western culture although the number of 'artists' in any Aboriginal group would generally be far greater than in non-Aboriginal communities. Aboriginal people traditionally used the materials available to them to symbolise the Dreaming and their world. As a result, art forms varied in different areas of Australia. In the central desert, ground drawing was a very important style of art and throughout Australia rock art as well as body painting and decoration were common although varying in styles, method, materials and meaning. There is and was a wide range of traditional Aboriginal art forms. When exploring aboriginal art I realised the appreciation and respect they have for their land this message has been filtering through our society today.



M.C. Escher's work is highly detailed. Most designers and lay people are highly impressed by his work and dedication to his art. Why?

Maurits Cornelis. Escher (1898-1972)was a man admired by many he is considered the father of modern tessellations. At age 68, he said, ‘filling the plane has become a real mania to which I have become addicted and from which I sometimes find it hard to tear myself away’ (Tessellation.org). He has the ability to show travelling minds through his art was truly phenomenal, such a genius in the way he incorporated a mathematical balance to his lays with opposing concepts such as order and disorder, high and low, close and far. By the 1950’s, M. C. Escher had gained such fame that people were commissioning him for far more unusual services such as tapestry design, and a ceiling decoration for Philips of Holland. He was published in Time and Life magazines 1951, and began to lecture. Audiences of artists, mathematicians, and scientists were enchanted with his visions. I would have to say that I have been very inspired by Escher work; my favourite piece would have to be Metamorphosis II -–known to be his largest print.









What is so interesting about art and culture of the past?

Art and culture has made us who we are today. We draw our inspirations from Art history and it’s culture. For many people it was a way of communication and visual satisfaction and today we learn the effects of the pass through art history, this is what makes it so interesting. It is like a fingerprint of the passed, which is passed down to each generation.

Why look backwards to our history when trying to engage in design solutions for modern society? Give examples.
We look back into art history for inspiration. Designers incorporated art history in their designs with a modern touch we see it on the products we buy, in commercials, magazines and digital media , books and cd covers. In any way shape or form the pieces we design will most likely have a composition of art history in them.

How has ancient art affected your life? Give examples.
Ancient Art culture affects us in so many ways. When thinking about how ancient art has affected my life I was drawn back to when I moved into my first home. When decorating the apartment with prints, materials, rugs and furniture my influences came from 1920-1940’s. Architecture was so ornamental, furniture oozed with detail, which gave the presents of character and warmth.






What cultural influences have occurred in your life? Give examples.
I am lucky enough to have a multi cultural background. My father was born in Hamburg Germany and my mother is from Malta so we enjoy multicultural food, music and traditions, which are passed down from their parents to my very own family. I have learnt the different meanings of culture for each society; their cultural influences are different in so may ways from their art to their music, food and religious beliefs