Borowczyk

(no subject)



A Parody of Henry Van de Velde's Furniture, published in Lustige Blaetter in 1899. Signed by W.G.J. Niewenkamp as "Van der Bloede."



And an actual Van De Velde poster.
MoxNix

Illustrations for The Devil's Motor

The Devil's Motor: A fantasy. Written by Marie Corelli, London: Hodder & Stoughton,




Click for larger image

Arthur Severn, colour plates, 1910

Arthur Severn (British, 1842-1931) is probably best know for representing John Ruskin during the Whistler trial in 1878. But do a search on Severn and his relationship with Ruskin (he even married Ruskin's cousin) is barely mentioned. The first posts to come up, are about the artist's questionable relationship with Corelli.

Marie Corelli was a very successful author, think of her as the Stephenie Meyer of her time. She was hated by the critics yet her romantic fantasies sold more than her contemporaries, Arthur Conan Doyle, H. G. Wells, and even Rudyard Kipling.
neko1

Manuel Orazi's L'Atlantide, Part III


Manuel Orazi
title card
1921




Through out the film, motifs in Orazi's hand painted title cards, repeat throughout the set design. I especially like these cats.









Many of the set designs are heavily influenced by the work of Gérôme and other artists of classical antiquity and the Orientalism movement. The director Jacques Feyder insisted the movie been filmed entirely on location in the Sahara. Even the interiors were filmed in an improvised studio in a tent outside in the desert.

DVD preview, it's very interesting how Jacques Feyder brings to life Orazi's designs.



But Orazi's orientalist designs are often contrasted with huge stark sets, with hints of the coming of Art Deco and German Expressionism.



It seems now with the of easing technology, we see more individual artists expressing their own unique vision. But rare do we get to see one complete vision in recent movies. I hope you enjoyed my look at this little film and find it as exciting as I do. Thank you.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L'Atlantide_(1921_film)
MoxNix

Manuel Orazi's L'Atlantide, Part II Costumes

In 1892 Manuel Orazi moved from Rome to Paris. It wasn't long before he became well respected as an Art Nouveau poster artist. But Orazi was also gaining inspiration from other sources. By 1900 he started incorporating elements of the Vienna Secessionists and adding the expressionist touches of the Symbolists. One of his most famous posters, one of Loie Fuller has the traces of his various inspirations. From the flat gold details of Klimt or the body swirling into the nothingness of Munch. By the time he was tapped by director Jacques Feyder to be the visual artist for the movie adaptation L'Atlantide, Orazi had created a style that was derivative of so many other styles it had become something quite unique all together.

Orazi's main task in designing the costumes for the film was for the character Antinea. Antinea needed to be expressive of her ancient history. Orazi looked to the Egyptian and Nordic, combining them with "modern" design.


Actress Stacia Napierkowska as Antinea ( Napierkowska previously starred in Les Vampires)
(click for larger image)

This costume is decorated with an applique of seven characters from Egyptian mythology. Above the divinities, silver plated decorations are painted on the textile, while at their feet, there is the design of seven heads of falcons. Though Egyptian inspired the costume owes much to the design of the Viennese school.


(click for larger image)
Applique detail
transparent lamé, velvet, gilded and silver plated fabrics.


Antinea had several costume changes throughout the film, from this amazing cape and silk dress


to her battle helm


painted background also by Orazi




Tomorrow I'll discuss some of the set design, feel free to comment or correct me.

References:
http://moma.org
http://www.bifi.fr