Pattern and Ornament: Readings- William M. Ivins "Ornament" and the Sources of Design in the Decorative Arts

"Ornament" and the Sources of Design in the Decorative Arts

Ivins wrote an article about "Ornament" and the Sources of Design in the Decorative Arts. He covered many topics about the subject of ornament and decorative arts, but the main idea I grasped was the relationship between idea and execution. The parallel relationship with design and craftsmanship. Ivins made the great analogy of the composer and musician; how they both need each other in order to succeed. Just like a musician makes written symbols into fluid sounds to be heard, a craftsman combines color shape and idea into a product to be seen or touched. Without a craftsman there is no product and without a designer there isn't an idea. 

Ivins also covers the topic of how mass production changed the pace of art making over time. Before the printing press and idea of instructive drawings came to be, designs and crafts were made and executed and went straight to their buyer. But after the pattern books were invented this huge spread of information, that was not available to a large group of people, suddenly became available. Inspiration and copies came from other designers ideas, and movements of certain designs came to be; for example the massive spread of Chippendale, Hepplewhite, and Sheraton's styled furniture. Over time more platforms of information have sprouted such as museums and the internet. As time moves the public has gained more access to information they weren't able to find in the past. But we still seem to have the problem of collections of  decorative arts educating connoisseurs and collectors who can afford to acquire them, rather than educate the craftsmen who create art.