Planning & Inspiration
DESIGN DICTIONARY
AXOR FINISHPLUS AXOR term for (color) finishes. AXOR FinishPlus finishes are characterized by their exceptional brilliance, high durability and exclusiveness. Customers can choose from a large variety of standardized finishes such as Brushed Redgold, Polished Black Chrome or Polished Gold Optic. Therefore, AXOR FinishPlus finishes contribute significantly to the possibilities for personalization of the bathroom (compare: Individualization). The finishes are particularly resistant and much harder than a galvanized fixture. They also have an excellent color brilliance since they receive through the Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) process an additional metal layer. AXOR SIGNATURE A service from AXOR that realizes individual demands such as lengthening, shortening or individual marking ⁄ labelling of AXOR mixers, showers and accessories. AXOR Signature plays an important role within the AXOR individualization philosophy since the service turns a bathroom product into a unique piece that fulfills the exclusive aesthetic taste of the customers (with own logo or emblem) or that is adapted to meet requirements that are based on special spatial conditions (longer shower arm for an extra-high ceiling) (compare: Individualization). BELLE ÉPOQUE This is the period of time around the turn of the 19th to the 20th century. It lasted about 30 years generally in Europe and affected especially the life in metropolises such as London, Paris and Vienna. A new cultural life started in cafes, lounges and theatres of the European core countries because of economic and technical progress, which affected also art, fashion, architecture and technology. This new era of freedom was also characterized by optimism and the new possibilities that technical improvements generated. Cabarets served as stages for writers, artists and actors; Parisian bohemians met in night clubs and variety theatres like the famous Chat Noir or Moulin Rouge in Paris. A parallel development took place in fine arts. During the time of Belle Époque, impressionism led to Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) and to Cubism. The most important representatives were Paul Cézanne, Gustav Klimt or Pablo Picasso. In architecture, a separation from historicism occurred; the builders first preferred Jugendstil and then turned over to the New Objectiveness, which started in the early 1920´s. The most important representative of Jugendstil in architecture was Paul Möbius. (compare: Jugendstil). CLASSIC (DESIGN CLASSIC) The adjective classic describes a design which is typical for its time, but at the same time so perfect and pure that it seems timeless. Classic designs are considered harmonious and complete—regardless of the associated epoch or art form. Therefore, classic is defined as timeless, in contrast to the circumstantial nature of fashion. Classic works can be found in music, architecture, fashion, art, design, literature and all other areas. Colloquially, the term classic is used today as a synonym for typical ⁄ original. Classics are considered to be perfect in form and pattern formation, making them likely to be imitated. Neither unique in form nor the first of their kind, these imitations can never reach the quality of the original. In design, a classic is the closest to a formal ideal, the basic idea, even if it is not as functionally perfect as its successors. Ray and Charles Eames’s Lounge Chair is considered a modern design classic, while the iPod is presently called a classic. In bathroom design, the 1994 AXOR Starck collection is a design classic—primarily because the faucet, with its joystick handle and minimalistic design, was revolutionary in terms of operation and form. In
forms, without superfluous elements and avoiding all unnecessary technical- appearing style, is perceived as architectural. These objects appear as architectural, structural elements that are weight-bearing, functional and adjusted to the room. Such objects are often connected to the wall or the floor and ⁄ or provide structure to the room. They usually are not decorative but simply draw attention to the essentials (compare: AXOR Edge). The term “architectonics” is often used synonymously but can describe—to differentiate it from “architecture”—a structure, order or system. It may be used in regards to not only to the art of building but also to the human body or even to a poem. ASYMMETRY ⁄ ASYMMETRIC “Asymmetry” describes the missing of symmetry or an inequality. It is only used in those areas when there is also a symmetry (symmetry ⁄ symmetric). The adjective describes the non-symmetrical or unequally balanced elements in a composition. This manifests itself in an optical or even a structural imbalance in constructed objects or products. Some artists intentionally choose an asymmetric composition to create tension (compare: AXOR Urquiola). In deconstructionism, asymmetrical constructions are aimed at confusing the beholders’ sense of balance and their perception of harmony by using technical illusions. AUTHENTICITY ⁄ AUTHENTIC “Authenticity” (from Greek “authentikós” = genuineness, reliability, credibility) means originality. An authentic object is always an original or a product identical to the original (as in serial production). In the figurative sense, a form or an attitude can be described as authentic (as opposed to cursory, superficial, ostensible) even though it might not characterize the original, as long as it carries its original quality and its true identity. Content can be considered as authentic when both aspects of perception—the instant semblance and the actual existence—are found to be in accordance. A form or a re-design is considered authentic when it is used or designed in the sense of the original (compare: AXOR Montreux). AVANT-GARDE ⁄ AVANT-GARDIST In the broadest sense, avant-garde (from French: “l’avant-garde” = front guard) assigns a leading or pioneering role. Avant-gardists are people who start new, pathbreaking developments. In contrast to a trendsetter, who starts only short-term styles, changes started by avant-gardists have a more basic and long-term effect. The term “avant-gardist” therefore doesn’t describe one particular style, but rather an artistic or intellectual attitude. With respect to art history, the term “avant-garde” describes artists whose ideas and works are ahead of their time. In the history of visual art, stands for a new art movement of the (early) 20th century. The term is closely connected to modernity. The original aim of all avant-gardist movements (mostly elitist, perceiving themselves as forerunners) was always a change in society. Most avant-gardist movements in art emerged at the beginning of the 20th century from artists’ communities sharing an idealistic belief in progress—such as Italian futurism, Russian constructivism, De Stijl (Holland) or German Bauhaus. All such movements reject the prevailing aesthetic norms of their time. Today, “avant-gardist” generally means a demonstratively modern artistic expression aimed to provoke and consequently to promote a new aesthetic or social ideal. Even if this ideal can’t be realized, avant-gardist movements often have a significant influence on prevailing trends in fashion, art and design of their time.
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