p r a g u e . b l a g u e

type

As you'll see tomorrow, I've changed my type direction a bit. I'm still combining script and pixel components, but I'm moving away from calligraphic to something more fluid and unique. I don't have a set system down, and I don't know all the rules yet, I still have a bit of exploring to do before class tomorrow. But these examples show some of the aspects I'm after- The fluidity of the strokes in the first example, the splitting of a letterform into two different styles in the second example, and the pixelation of the third example. I still have some kinks to work out and some decisions to make about what the rules of my typeface will be, but I think I am moving in the right direction.

broken strokes

While I was unable to find one typeface that reflected exactly the face I have been working through, I found several that each have individual qualities reminiscent of my first explorations. The first example (Auriol by Linotype) has forms that are calligraphic and that seem to break the fluidity of the stroke both minimally and at about the same locations my forms have been breaking. The second example (Carmen by Linotype) has that strange sense of connection and disconnection that I have been experimenting with. Some of the forms are too broken (i.e. the letters that use lines and circles separately), but the idea of a "disconnected fluid stroke" is there, although perhaps overemphasized by the use of the circles. The third example (Kalligraphia by Linotype) simply reminded me of earlier explorations, most specifically apparent in the lowercase d. While this particular example is given in lowercase, I would like to point out the leafy shapes that terminate or begin the strokes as relevant to the shapes my letters have been making as they break and meet again mid-stroke. This example also contains simple breaks that are minimal to the idea of one complete stroke per letter.

TypeFace similarities

I couldn't really find much on the sites that were given to us. So I looked a lot on http://www.dafont.com They have nice categories and it's amatuer work, sort of like what we're doing.

The closest match I could find to my typeface was: http://www.dafont.com/madredeus.font
It's eerily similar and has some nice detail touches to it. Sadly it gets too predictable with the different shapes, which I want to stay away from.

Formal similarities:
http://www.dafont.com/danube.font
http://www.dafont.com/rezland.font
http://www.dafont.com/club.font

Concept similarities: (i.e the idea of connectivity)
http://www.dafont.com/club.font again
http://www.dafont.com/canstop.font
http://www.dafont.com/ohio-player.font

Cubist Exhibit

Cubist architecture is one of those quirky things that somehow seems at home here in Prague. I think it is interesting that no where else did architects try to adopt the dimensional ideas of the cubist movement on to the huge scale of a building. If the items and decoration that people place within their houses help define their identity, then what do the additional facets on the building's exterior say? It's a shame that the unusual architecture of cubist exteriors couldn't be structurally carried over into the interiors.

I thought this exhibit's copy, photographs and models were well done, but not comprehensive. I highly recommend a trip to the Cubist Museum at the House of the Black Madonna for more extensive examples of cubist furniture, art and typefaces all housed within a cubist building. There's also a posh cafe on the first floor, which I recommend too...

why we draw//prague so far

We've been drawing a lot! In cafes, bars, on trains, and in class in general. I have never doodled and mapped out so much type in my life. It my be as result of necessity, since I only have access to a computer while studio is open, but I think it's coming from a different place. I started taking pictures as a way to conquer, in my own little way, this crazy new place. Maybe that's why taking pictures is such a touristy thing. It's like we have some innate thing as travellers to document things we don't really have time to observe. After you live somewhere a while though, it starts to be less foreign and more personal. That's when I started drawing so much...I had the pictures of my everyday routines burned into my head and I craved the time to sit down and think about what effect they had on me. I don't want to sound overly poetic or anything, but there are small things that start to really define a place, even as big as this. Like the way you can tell a train is coming in the metro because your hair blows around. The different voices of recordings on every metro line. Or the handwriting of every waiter you have ticking off your Staropromen intake. Waiting in line for a toilet at a club and catching bits of info from the gossip going on behind you, and finally timing your run just right so you get back home before the sun sets. I think these are the kinds of things I've been trying to work out in my little doodles.

Sutnar Exhibit @ the Decorative Arts Museum

I really enjoyed the Sutnar exhibit at the Decorative Arts Museum, and wish we had had a little more time to take it all in. I first became aware of Sutnar's work this summer and have been a fan ever since. He was someone who had some really revolutionary ideas (he could imagine globalization and the internet back in the 1950's) and worked to present those in a clear and concise way. His work always presents an intigrated and complete package, with each compositional element being considered. I agree with Islam that covers on books seemed like an extension of the book rather than an additional after thought. Despite the fact that his work is very minimalistic and modern, there is the utmost attention to detail, presentation, printing and context. I feel like we can use Sutnar's craft and attention to detail when turning our attention to more decorative pursuits.

villa müller

Built in 1930 by Adolf Loos.
For Dr. František Müller. co-owner of the major Czech building firm Kapsa & Müller, Plzeň.
Its a rare feeling to have a space change dramatically, but understand that its intentional and purposeful. These spaces exist in the Müller Villa. Loos organized the rooms according to their importance and function, stepping them so that they build and support one another structurally and functionally. This type of organization is known as "Raumplan."

"My architecture is not conceived in plans, but in spaces (cubes). I do not design floor plans, facades, sections. I design spaces. For me, there is no ground floor, first floor etc.... For me, there are only contiguous, continual spaces, rooms, anterooms, terraces etc. Storeys merge and spaces relate to each other."
-Adolf Loos

The interiors are an ecclectic mix of differnt styles that range from Delftware tile to rattan chairs to a Japanese Salon outside the terrace that is full of traditional Ukiyo-e prints and clean black and turquiose laquerd trims and accents. The interiors are clearly close to Loos use of cubes in the architecture. The materials are a fine mix of dark wood, soft painted wood, marble, concrete, tile, and mulitiple styles of fabrics. They all work in combination to having you want every room in the house. The fixtures in the house are gorgeous, modern, and especially the fixtures in the upstairs bathroom by the Twyfords brand can't be missed. Because the Villa doesn't allow pictures inside, I did some sketches of all the things I wanted to shoot. You can find links with pictures of the interiors online too.

i hEaRt pRaHa zOo!

These are some signs that i found at the pRaHa zOo when I went to the date with Emily, Nicole, and Islam.
And the picture below is...

decorative arts museum

I was fascinated by the clock/watch room at the Decorative Arts Museum. I really enjoyed looking at the amazing detail and craftsmanship involved in creating these complex artifacts. I like the idea of having such a personalized and precious object, like the pocket watch to carry with you. The exposed internal mechanisms were especially intricate and formally beautiful. Unfortunately that kind of skilled craft and attention to detail has been lost once mass production made life more cheap and convenient for everyone. Of course even back then such pieces could only be enjoyed by the wealthy. CLOCKS ARE FUN

DeCoRaTiVe

Visiting Decorative Arts Musueum on Thursday (sunny) evening became very rich time for me, because I was able to understand that decorative arts can be learned only by DRAWING it.
... and it took me for a while to find out that too.
So, thurday, I forced myself to draw all the ornaments that I liked in the museum.
Starting from the fashion area, which I really enjoyed, I saw a decorative arts on glass, woods, ceramics, cloth, tiles and finally to the typography section.
The total drawings I did within that two hours of the visit was ten.
just ten drawings...
Looking at each details in each work took as long as drawing it out.
and it helped me to prove myself how decorative arts are well-thought and designed.
Line thinckness, line curves, negative space, and angles of line.
Any of those that I observed at the museum can be related to the type project we are doing right now.
Understanding design is maybe,
understanding decorative arts.
And Understanding decorative art is maybe...
understanding typography.