Lemming Tracks: Not all Contemprary Design is Modern Design

The last post reminded me of a linguistic oddity: "Modern" hasn't been contemporary for decades.

Most people use "modern" and "contemporary" interchangeably: and that's correct usage. As long as you're using informal English, and not talking about art, architecture, or philosophy.

In art and architecture, anything that's actually contemporary, in the sense of using a non-historical style or approach, hasn't been "Modern" for decades. Art and architecture that is Modern (capital M) is a distinctly twentieth-century phenomenon.

There's an interesting discussion at "Postmodern Art" (Washington State University) (undated)) and "MODERN ART" "1900'S - Present" University of North Carolina at Pembroke (undated)).

Modern Homes: Not Contemporary, Modern

"The Mid-Century Modernist - Homes"

A trip down memory lane, to a period when Modern was contemporary.

Farnsworth House: It's Not Practical, and That's Not the Point

"Farnsworth House" is dedicated to The Farnsworth House, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's proof that you can design and build a monumentally impractical house, and be considered a genius.

The Farnsworth House is that glass-walled wonder, built in 1951, that inspired jokes like, "I bought one of those new houses. To get undressed, I have to stand in front of a window."

This house, one of the most famous examples of Modernist architecture, is a real work of art. The website explains why we should pay attention to the place: "Transcending any traditional domestic function or program, the importance of the house lies rather in the absolute purity and consistency of its architectural idea."

I like the looks of it, myself, but I wouldn't want to live there.