欧文•琼斯（Owen Jones）——现代设计理论的先驱
2010-10-16 23:47阅读：
琼斯夫妇
欧文·琼斯（Owen Jones）英国人（1809–1874)
现代设计理论的先驱
欧文·琼斯是一位建筑家兼设计师，19世纪五十年代曾任教于伦敦的南步辛顿设计学院，同时也是1851年世界工业博览会的建筑师之一。1852年他受命担任新水晶宫的设计总监，水晶宫位于伦敦南方的悉丹翰。《世界装饰经典图鉴》一书是他留给世人的宝贵遗产，并成为一部不朽的古典作品。欧文·琼斯逝于1874年。
'Form without colour is like a body without a soul'
Owen Jones was a versatile architect and designer, and one of the
most influential design theorists of the 19th century. Through his
work at the 1851 Great Exhibition, he was also a key figure in the
foundation of the V&A.
Two hundred years after his birth, Jones's theories on flat
patterning and ornament continue to resonate. In his search for a
modern style, unique to the 19th century, he looked to the Islamic
world for inspiration. The courageous new principles that he
devised became the teaching frameworks for the Government School of
Design.
These bold theories on the use of colour, geometry and abstraction
formed the basis for Jones's seminal publication, 'The Grammar of
Ornament', a design sourcebook that is still in print 150 years
later.
Click on any small image below for a larger version and more
information
Early Travel, 1832-4
Owen Jones grew up in
a world dominated by the austere 'whiteness' of Neo-classical
architecture. However, recent discoveries had suggested that
ancient Greek buildings were originally coloured. The prospect of
studying these examples of architectural 'polychromy' would have
been irresistible to a young, ambitious architect such as Jones. He
embarked on his Grand Tour at the age of 23, visiting Italy,
Greece, Egypt and Turkey before arriving in Spain to carry out the
studies of the Alhambra Palace that were to cement his
reputation.
The Alhambra Palace
Jones and Goury
continued their travels in Spain, hitching a ride from Istanbul on
French military ships. Entranced by the beauty of Spanish Islamic
design, they spent six months meticulous studying the Alhambra,
producing hundreds of drawings and plaster casts. But tragically,
Goury then died of cholera. Jones brought his body back home to
France and returned to London determined to publish their work. The
resulting book became one of the most influential publications on
Islamic architecture of all time.
Designs for Tiles &
Mosaics
The publication of
Jones's Alhambra studies firmly established architectural
polychromy as an issue for debate and discussion. Inspired by the
tilework at the Alhambra, Jones became interested in contemporary
developments in mosaics and tessellated pavements. His designs for
tiles attracted the attention of key figures associated with
Victorian design reform, including Prince Albert, and led to his
involvement in the Great Exhibition of 1851.
The Great Exhibition & The Crystal
Palaces
Jones finally introduced his colour
theories to the wider public when he was asked to decorate the
interior of the 1851 Great Exhibition building. His simple yet
radical paint scheme utilised only the primary colours: blue, red
and yellow. The design generated much criticism and debate, yet
Jones never lost confidence in his vision. The building eventually
opened to much great acclaim. Six million people - three times the
population of London at that time - visited the colossal iron and
glass palace.
The Government School of
Design
The first School of Design was
founded in 1837, with the aim of raising the standard of British
manufactures by improving design. The same spirit of reform
underpinned the 1851 Great Exhibition, which included what were
seen as some of the world's finest manufactures. Owen Jones helped
select objects from the Great Exhibition to be included in the
School of Design's teaching collections. He then used these 'best
examples' to develop key principles for the School's teaching
programme.
