the extremely reduced use of forms with an almost ascetic character. An ethical component can also be perceived: modesty in outward appearance meant to convey a nearly sacral concentration on intrinsic value. Since purism also represents the ideal of authenticity, nothing is concealed (as opposed to minimalism) to achieve a more homogenous and harmonious appearance. All elements should speak for themselves. Typical features of purism include a minimal combination of materials, untreated surfaces, clarity through sharp lines, geometric or archetypal forms (including traditional, simple forms), strong contrasts with few primary colors and combinations of black, white and grey. Purism is characterized by structure, timelessness and substance (compare: AXOR Uno). QUOT A T I ON In general usage, quotation refers to the literal repetition of a part of a text. In the context of art, architecture and design, quotation describes the reclamation of parts of an older work in the process of creating a new one. Quotation is a technique that has been popular in many periods in art history and was revived in the 20th century, particularly by postmodernists. While in postmodernity quotations were mostly used in an ironic and playful manner, designers in the modern eclectic style employ quotations as a means of deriving new design interpretations and, ultimately, new designs. SCULPTURE ⁄ SCULPTURAL A sculpture (from Latin “sculpere” = to carve, create, chisel) is a three- dimensional body (mostly a piece of art) which has a powerful and symbolic appearance from several perspectives and which clearly distinguishes itself from its environment (compare: Plastic). A sculptural design element delivers its own, autonomous statement, is independent of its environment and has a strong influence on the viewer’s perception of a space (compare: AXOR Edge). SENSUALITY ⁄ SENSUAL Colloquially, sensuality means turning the senses or the receptivity of the sense organs toward outer impressions. Perception makes it possible for us to distinguish our environment for its materials and forms, and to recognize and categorize things from their characteristics. Often sensuality is associated with eroticism, but also with sensual driving forces, preferences, desires and passions, needs, and feelings of pleasure and displeasure. Sensual as an adjective describes something “happening through or recognizing something by senses” or “belonging to the senses”. The term sensual is also used in the context of “concentrating on senses”, if the product focuses on the human senses. Design can be sensual, if it attracts someone in an emotional way and if touch, sight and taste are triggered in a positive way. Sensual design is often combined with a comfortable feel and ⁄ or balanced look (compare: Golden Ratio) (compare: AXOR Starck Organic). S T Y L E Style is primarily the expression of personality. It is not restricted to individual expression and can also signify the presentation and expression of an epoch (such as Jugendstil), a region (like the Italian “Bel Design”), or an artist ⁄ group of artists or designers (Bauhaus, Memphis, etc.). A style is identified by recurring, characteristic features and by a particular choice and use of forms. In fine arts, it is called a style if these features form a pattern that appears in numerous individual works. These characteristics can develop into a personal style (also called individual style) found in art,
not characterized by stylistic expression, but rather by a principle of construction that imitates nature (e.g. cellular, netted, skeletal, crystalline) and by abandoning classical static weight-bearing structures in favor of a more flexible and elastic construction. What all organic objects have in common is a design that is developed from the inside out and a focus on accentuating expression. Common techniques include asymmetrical construction, flowing lines, soft shapes, directed structures, plastic volumes and dynamic forms. In organic architecture, buildings might appear to grow or they might even appear to have an explosive energy. Frank Lloyd Wright (Guggenheim Museum New York), Eero Saarinen, and Hans Scharoun in Germany each produced ground-breaking work in this field. Today, futuristic buildings by architects such as Frank O. Gehry, Zaha Hadid, or Peter Cook (Kunsthaus Graz) increasingly showcase organic design elements. The most important representatives are Ron Arad, Luigi Colani, Massimo Iosa-Ghini, Ross Lovegrove (seats for Japan Airlines, 2002) and Philippe Starck. Objects designed through Organic Design principles are often shaped ergonomically and made of high-quality, sustainable materials which fit the overall idea of the product (compare: AXOR Starck Organic). OR I G I NA L The word original (from Latin “origo” = beginning) has several meanings. As opposed to a counterfeit, an original is a genuine product or object. As opposed to a copy, an original is a work created by the artist; it is neither changed or replicated. Original can also mean the initial version or proto- type; the first version of a text, painting, work of art, or product model. As an adjective, original can also mean innovative, creative, or ingenious. In this context, the adjective original describes something incomparable and exceptional. PROPORTION ⁄ PROPORTIONAL In aesthetics, proportionality means a ratio of size or length which is particularly pleasing to the eye. In fine arts, proportion is used to measure the ideal ratio of individual parts to one another and to the whole. In architecture, it is the measurement of width, height and depth in relation to the complete building (compare: Golden Ratio). How we perceive the balance of proportions is not a matter of chance. It is determined by biology, aesthetics and culture. American cars seem overproportioned to Europeans, but still harmonious as a whole. Extra-long necks, considered an ideal of beauty in some African cultures, challenge our perception of proportions. In fashion, taste changes faster than in other areas, whereas in architecture it is relatively more constrained by structural requirements. PURISM ⁄ PURISTIC Today, the term purism (from Latin “purus” = clear ⁄ pure or French “le purisme” = the Purism) is mostly used as a synonym for simplicity and frugality. Purism is a style within the modern art and architecture of the 20th century. It was originally used in the sense of linguistic purism, which advocated a pure, unaltered style, free of any foreign objects. Purists want to keep a cultural characteristic as authentic, original and pure as possible. A strictly classical design can also be considered purist. Purism is therefore always associated with a certain sense of stringency. As a design movement, purism developed from an aesthetic trend which itself derived from Russian constructivism, a style which called for clear, austere art modelled on the basis of purely architectural and geometric forms. The ideal is a composition of elementary geometric forms that avoid purely decorative effects. In contemporary design terminology, purism stands for
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