US: Less is Bore

Modernism in art and architecture was all about simplicity. Austerity and lack of decoration were integral to the movement. The style was well-suited to the concept of mass production brought in by the Industrial Revolution.

The modern works of Pablo Picasso and Piet Mondrian, the Chicago School structures of Louis Henry Sullivan and the philosophy laid down by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Adolf Loos influenced every form of art through the 19th and 20th century.

The Chicago Federal Center by  Ludwig Mies van der Rohe completed in 1973
Source: www.gsa.gov/

Post Modernism

After a few decades though, strict adherence to Modernism was often considered to be bland or lacking meaning or character. This paved way for Post Modernism starting in the 1960's, which blended numerous traditional and contemporary styles with Modernism.  This marked a sharp departure from the "Less is More" policy advocated by Modernist Ludwig Mies van der Rohe to a period of "Less is Bore" as defined by Robert Venturi in his 1966 book, Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture. 

The AT&T Building built in the heart of New York City by Philip Johnson (1984) is a prominent example of the style. Linear, modern in style, the building is topped by an outrageous pink-granite Georgian pediment! The building, currently owned by Sony was auctioned to the Chetrit Group for a record $1.1 billion and is expected to be given landmark status.

The AT&T Building, New York by Philip Johnson, © Janani Rajagopalan

Closer view of  the Georgian pediment atop the AT&T building

Michael Graves designed the iconic 15-storey Portland Building completed in 1982. Its vibrant use of colour with historical referencing along with use of classical elements redefined commercial Modernism and marked the reintroduction of Classicism in Architecture. Above the front entrance, Graves designed and added a statue in hammered copper call "Portlandia" in 1985. 

The Portland Building designed by Michael Graves, completed in 1982.
Source: http://www.dezeen.com/

The colourful and decorative Swan and Dolphin Resorts is another prominent example that sports two 56-ft dolphins along with water cascades. The slanted coral coloured building is topped by 47-ft swans along with the waves drawing visual references from Florida.

Turquoise and coral  coloured outlandish forms, the Swan and Dolphin Resorts,
Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida
Source: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

Pop art imagery and swan statues, Source: http://www.wdwinfo.com

Hand painted murals decorating the facade, Source: http://disneyvacationkingdom.blogspot.in/

Most of his buildings were designed to entertain and make people smile when they entered the building. Every building carried an underlying element of humour and fun and was meant to surprise. The Seven Dwarfs replacing the columns in the Walt Disney Team Building in Brubank, California take the humour element of Post Modernism to an all new level!

The Team Disney Building, California designed by Michael Graves.
Source: http://www.michaelgraves.com/

Graves brought his style into product design in the form of a kettle designed for the Italian house ware maker Alessi.

The Alessi Whistling Bird Tea Kettle designed by Michael Graves
Source: http://grshop.com/