Minimalism has been around for centuries, but it wasn't until the 20th century that it really started to take off. In this blog post, we will take a look at the history of minimal design and how it has evolved over time. We will also discuss the different styles of minimalism and how they have been used in various mediums. If you are interested in learning more about minimalism, then this is the blog post for you!
So, what is minimalism? Minimalism is a style or technique that can be used in various mediums such as art, design, music, and literature. It involves using the simplest and fewest elements possible to create a work of art. The goal of minimalism is to strip down a work of art to its essentials and to create a more pure and simple form of art.
Minimalism first started to gain popularity in the early 20th century with artists such as Kazimir Malevich, Piet Mondrian, and Josef Albers. These artists were interested in exploring the relationship between form and color. They believed that by reducing a work of art to its simplest forms, they could create a more pure and powerful form of art.
Malevich is credited with creating the first truly minimal work of art, which he called "Black Square." This painting consisted of a black square on a white background. Mondrian's work also explored simplicity and abstraction, but he used straight lines and geometric shapes rather than color to create his compositions. Albers, on the other hand, was interested in exploring the optical effects of color. He created works that consisted of simple geometric shapes that were placed next to each other in different colors.
While minimalism started out as an art movement, it soon began to influence other areas of design such as architecture, fashion, and product design. In the 1950s and 1960s, architects such as Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier began to experiment with minimalism in their designs. They created simple, clean-lined buildings that were devoid of unnecessary ornamentation. This style of architecture is known as "International Style" or "Modernist Architecture."
In the world of fashion, minimalism began to take off in the 1970s with designers such as Calvin Klein and Yves Saint Laurent. These designers created simple, clean-lined clothing that was free of unnecessary embellishments. This style of fashion is known as "minimalist fashion."
In the world of product design, minimalism really took off in the 1980s with the advent of "high-tech" design. This style of design is characterized by its clean lines, simple forms, and use of new materials and technologies. High-tech designers such as Dieter Rams and Jonathan Ive have created some of the most iconic products of our time using this minimal approach.
So, there you have it! A brief history of minimalism from the 20th century to today.