History of Industrial Design Week 4 Part 3: Art Nouveau

These videos were made in 2020 as a desperate COVID-era attempt to help keep students engaged in learning as in-person teaching stopped. With no support, no resources, a ridiculous "production schedule," and no idea they would become a sort of permanent record of the time, I just threw them at KZbin. The students mostly didn't watch them, but lots of others did, and that continues to amaze me. I decided to leave them up for anyone who is just curious about design.
NOTE: If you are a current student at Rhode Island School of Design and your professor has sent you here to watch these videos, you should really worry about how much tuition you are paying just to have a teacher sending you to KZbin instead of teaching you themselves. Just saying...

[@stm31415]

I know you didn't go to the trouble for the sake of strangers on the internet, but your posting this course has been one of the greatest silver linings of this year; thank you so much for sharing it. I'm hugely grateful for it existing, and for whatever chain of whispers led to it being shared with me in the spring. Being able to look forward to an occasional hour of something quiet, grounded, and insightful has meant a lot.

[@HistoryofID]

Many many thanks. I actually DID go through the effort for strangers. Seemed like the best way to take care of class while also doing something more meaningful. Very glad you found it.

[@lillalillalillalilla]

I second this! I'm so grateful to you for sharing such high quality content! Helps me a lot with my design history course since online university is a mess! Thank you so much for doing this!!!

[@itsdavidsantana]

100% - these lectures have been my sanctuary lately!

[@Foxfriendsss]

I’d like to say I’m eternally grateful for this as well. I’m on my second play through.

[@jkknyc]

I second all the gratitude. These lectures are really, really fine. The connections you make between technologies, design and the social contexts - as well as the social implications - when all this happens is truly enlightening. I'm up to week four and beginning to feel a bit guilty to be consuming all this goodness without offering some kind of compensation. Do you have a book I can buy … a Patreon site I can support … tee shirts for sale … ?

[@HollyElms]

The fact that he made the first art deco video for two students and now it has 200k views is a testament to his great lecturing style, and passion for the subject

[@sweetpadre]

You have a long haul trucker as a student on the road. I really enjoyed watching your lectures.

[@jessicabigham5759]

I'm not a student but I've enjoyed these massively! Thank you for making these public.

[@RachellElizabeth]

I'm not a student and it's years later but I love your lectures and watch them all the time!

[@reddingpepper2021]

Genius,marvelous lectures; I've spent my life blind trying to learn the truth about the beauty of man-made objects that you have given light to. Thank you Holy Jesus for this man and his gifts to describe what man has created . I can See brightly now. How beautiful the World has suddenly become.

[@marrrtin]

I think most of these designers are not well known to the public, but their impact on our lives has been huge. Thank you for illuminating this treasure house of industrial design.

[@brittanybrown744]

HAHAHA! COMPUTER SPLINTER! Loved the bloopers at the end! Another random internet person here, I found your channel because of that first art deco video and was so disappointed that I had missed the art nouveau lecture haha. I'm a costume designer and have been using your lectures to learn about these different eras. Thank you so much for making these accessible to everyone, I have found them so useful, interesting AND entertaining!

[@HecmarJayam]

Cant stop watching these lectures! Beautifully presented - Thank you!

[@dougholliday467]

Fantastic presentation. Odd thing happened to me back when we, in Southern California, experienced an earthquake of some magnitude. The one thing that was my prize possession and was destroyed was an original Tiffany lamp and shade. I was thinking about that for the first time in years since. Thanks for the memories and of course, this most important lecture. Sincerely I remain at 80 y.o., Sentebey in USA

[@HelenaW999]

The definition of an amazing teacher! Thank you for your service ☺️

[@pistolannie6500]

Amen! I'm STILL PLAYIN THEM! Seems every time I replay them... I pick up on things I had previously missed.

[@keeferhuges307]

Dear Matthew Bird! My favourite period of ID. Beautiful pictures of ingenious things, and a fine voice for a guide and for historical context. A charming and informative piece to salvage from the horrors of Covid. I stumbled on this episode by accident; I shall go and find the others. Thankyou. k.

[@user-wl2yn2sy1q]

This is the best lecture I have ever listened to about Nouveau! Bravo!

[@peterhawkins1991]

Utterly brilliant. I wish I had studied this 40 years ago. I dropped architecture and went to Computer Science.

[@HammerdownProtocol]

I'm a professional artist, who has smuggly prided myself on my lack of formal training, for 30 years. But I'd have loved to have you as teacher. Subscribed, and hooked!

[@shireenkhan7625]

What a lovely, generous teacher. I am loving this series.

[@pistolannie6500]

I never got to go to college, so being able to "sit in" on an interesting course, has been fascinating. I love to read and learn new things & I've always been one of those...."I wonder how that was made, where did it come from...Who came up with That & Why". I'm a Huge fan of Antiques Roadshow (US & UK versions), the show "How it's Made" , "How it Works", & different history shows....so This is just Up My Alley! TY! And thank you for all the work u go through to put up SO MANY visual aides... I've discovered several items I've seen on one of the Antique Roadshow's. I know u did this for your students, but looks as if you've gained few more "students"! LOL. Do wish others....say, some one who teaches History, Art Appreciation, Music History.....would do the same!!!!!

[@MexTexican]

You are a treasure! Thank you so much for your videos. I’ve learned so much from you. I live your smarts, your style, your knowledge and your humor.

[@joeyl695]

Ran across the Art Deco module, now I am bingeing the whole course. Fascinating!

[@sandrawheeler7831]

Me too!

[@Henry-yz1et]

WE WANT MORE

[@rpatrick2]

" petty criticisms of my voice or mistaken pronunciation" Hecklers are acting on their own insecurities. Thank you for doing this as a amateur woodworker.

[@Bombalurina00]

Professor Bird! I'm just a few minutes into the video and already know you're a great presenter. You have a wonderful, resonant voice which is high compliment from me. You speak relaxed from the diaphragm (even if not intentional) which provides a resonance that makes "easy listening." Often I hear voices that are so bad - despite intriguing or captivating content - that I can't continue (any audio formats). And, on content, this is exactly what I'm looking for (history of and description of art nouveau); I'll give a look/listen at your additional posts. Blessings.

[@jamesboekbinder3967]

Let's hear it for desperate teachers!

[@BlackChapeau]

Like the positive comments bellow I am thoroughly enjoying your lectures and presentation style. You should have your own show. Netflix calling? I hope so!

[@TheMissingxtension]

You and Robert Sapolksy have enriched my life!! Thank you, I would never be able to access any of this knowledge if you hadn't worked so hard to give it out to me.

[@krisztina_google9019]

Thank you for a fascinating lecture! Earlier I didn't really like art noveau and now I understand why. What made me interested in this era though was an exhibition about pre-raphaelites. One of the explanatory texts said that it was the first time women were depicted having a personality and that art noveau took this concept further - with some other characteristics of pre raphaelites as well. I thought it was an interesting exhibition and for some reason that brought me closer to art noveau.

[@patrickshiflett685]

Really appreciate this lecture, seeing this in 2022 was great. I think you succinctly brought the history and issues of design together to make it very accessible (at least for someone who doesn't normally consume art history lectures). Just want to say thanks and let you know you brought me a better understanding of art, craft, and design that I did not have before.

[@cmullen5136]

Life long learner here. Found your lecture while mining KZbin. Everything from your presentation, your knowledge and your humour! Your voice is mesmerizing. Thank you for sharing your gifts.

[@artandminisbyvilma8116]

I love these lectures. They address all my obsessions with style. It's exactly what I needed and didn't know that I needed it. Thank you for doing this and sharing it with all of us.

[@greengali9848]

Like Brittany Brown in a previous comment, I randomly found your lecture on Art Deco and thought I wouldn't get to see the Art Nouveau one because the week 5 art deco one was the first video lecture you made. Luckily for me, you did make the Art Nouveau one later! I really enjoyed both of them!

[@victorvalverde436]

Beautiful discribe and intelligent ideas

[@RezzanHasoglu]

Thank you Matt for sharing this =) So happy to find this and will be watching it in the upcoming days

[@abrahamrm5356]

I watch your videos meanwhile I do web development in a small mountain village in North Spain. They are amazing !

[@Sturmjager-KSK]

Superb Matthew! Very enjoyable and intellectually fulfilling, Thank you.

[@TheSeventhSphinx]

You are wonderful.

[@desibricks]

Congratulations on new teleprompter, if i'm not wrong. I have been enjoying your course since it started. Thanks a lot.

[@rachaelgoldman5846]

This is a complete history lesson of the Art Nouveau -- right down to the Loie Fuller clip!! Art Nouveau did transfer to architecture as shown in the Hector Guimard Rue Pavee Synagogue. Your lecture was inspiring. Merci!

[@VV-fl8fi]

❤Absolutely fascinating lectures! Thank you so much

[@Jeremiebb1]

Hey you are doing really great videos! Your honesty is what got me watching your courses when you talked about what Raymond Loewy said to be taken with skepticism. I think people can sense honesty trough videos and it is very valuable on the internet. Thank you for your free, educative and so very interesting entertainement!

[@johnsondylan7515]

This was amazing! I started school as a ID student at Metro State of Denver, but never did I get such a QUALITY lecture like this one, not even close! I left ID and changed it to my Minor with my Major in Jewelry/Metalsmithing in the Art Dept. Thank you so much for sharing these incredible educational lectures!

[@CarmP]

I love the meticulous organization of your lecture peppered with memorable and humanizing “off road” moments. Thank you!

[@frybreadndizhnikaaz3314]

I’ve been really interested in the aesthetics of art nouveau recently and been wanting to make art inspired by the era thank you for giving me the context and helping me reallllyyy understand and reallllyyy push those details

[@kuzinadesign]

I also think that this couse is really a great idea, I would have never had any opportunity to hear anything of this kind if not for you. Thank you so much for your generosity with this information. And for your professional curiosity, of course) You are so easy to listen, you make it easy to see the logic behind various design factors. This play list is really invaluable for me, please don't stop)

[@rachelkoiks]

Ohhhhh… I just got to the end where it explains why the next video has lower production quality. That’s funny because I watched Art Deco first so when I started this episode next I first thought: “Did I click the wrong thing?” So I just thought this was a part 2 or something and you’ve filmed dozens of episodes by now so you’re a pro at it. I liked how genuine you were in the Art Deco vid with the little comments like, “I just realized I’m talking to myself” 😆

[@WickedTwitches]

The outtakes might be the best part

[@rotmage]

Thank you so so much for leaving these up.

[@desireemichaelsen684]

Thank you so much for doing this..... I have been infatuated w Art Deco.... and I’m loving all you’re lectures. You are inspiring me.

[@hillogical]

so the KZbin algorithm has sent me down the interesting rabbit hole. I'll keep watching as long as there isn't a quiz.

[@ShowandTellknitting]

If that's how much you love us, we love you more! Your students are lucky to have you (as are the rest of us!) -- Binge watching!!

[@ArtemisToo]

I've never been anywhere near RISD, but I'm enjoying the hell out of your lectures! You won't find me criticizing your voice (nothing wrong with it that I can hear) or your pronunciation (haven't caught you out yet...), and I hope you won't give those who do outposts in your head. Most of us are just getting way too much out of these KZbin gems, whereas the carpers and criticizers have probably contributed zero to anyone else's enjoyment or education. Onward!

[@ChristophersMum]

This has been one of the most interesting videos that I came across quite by accident...just beautiful artefacts and your description of them really brought that time in history to life that I hadn't expected to find...thank you so much...hi from Scotland.💌✨

[@takashi.iwasaki]

Thank you for your sassy lecture. I love it.

[@funkykoval2099]

Thank You Sir! I just discovered Your lectures! I'm studying mechanical engineering and this is a nice way of looking at technical problems. Sometimes even the same one's , but with no calculus or differentiation. Greetings from Warsaw.Stay safe

[@alena7239]

I love your videos! Thank you!

[@nuvotion-live]

I think art nouveau is one of the few aesthetics to appear truly timeless, probably because of its heavy inspiration from eternal nature. It is fantastical and innovative, surreal yet modern especially in its use of materials. Art deco may have at one time felt modern, but not anymore. I predict art nouveau is about to make a big comeback in the AI age, a perfect reflection of the organic advancements in computing.

[@nuvotion-live]

It’s also reflective of our strong environmental consciousness, something irrelevant to Art Deco and subsequent modern aesthetics

[@paomango]

Great, great content!! Thanks for sharing :)

[@brianmccloud618]

I don’t know how I ended up on this but I find it fascinating and you’re doing such a good job of linking this all together. I am a fan

[@elsuenosignificado7005]

Superb content! Thank you so much.

[@hythekent]

Professor Bird, but no, we want to say Hi Matthew! How long after you created this fabulous oeuvre is it now? Two, three years? What we have is a gift from you to the world of design and art lovers. So we thank you for everything!! I have learnt, i’ve been entertained, and at the end we all had a good laugh with you! 🇺🇸🥰🇬🇧

[@ngonidzashemwanjira208]

An Art student trying to expand my skills range to incorporate Design in my studio practice, literally my life depends on this series.

[@finolacat8355]

There is no need to be kind. This is interesting, informative, and very well-planned. Thank you. One (relatively) small perk in a difficult situation.

[@shirinchepirinche]

06:20 fantastic vase + Seems like the transition between victorian -( exaggerated natural elements) and art deco (plain geometric forms?); which is simplifying, abstracting natural elements.

[@emmaw1602]

i'm so thankful for this video

[@bycarolinakobayashi]

The comment at 55:07 explains so much!

[@patriciaburns1033]

I absolutely love your suit.

[@astridljungmann]

This is the best video I´ve ever seen about design. Was very clear, informative and fun. I really enjoyed watching it. I will watch the other videos made by you

[@kirtisah8618]

Thank You ❤️

[@allenanderson4911]

Vegetal.Fluid.Sinuous. Busy. Crowded. Lucious. Lith.

[@TheRealSubourbonMermaid]

Everything I always wanted to know, but never knew how to articulate what I wanted in it...does that make any sense? Anyway, what a lovely rabbit hole I've fallen into.

[@janelleb2497]

Thank you

[@waltercook7508]

Of the episodes I have seen, I think that they are great. A subject that has long interested me. But what I want to comment on is a very small aside which occurred at one point in your lecture on Art Nouveau in relation to New Zealand. We were the first nation state to give women the vote (true), and given the Covid strategy we have, so far, kept the bug at bay (true). It must be something in the water (not true). Re women's suffrage - you surely must know that the USA was far ahead of the rest of the world in women' suffrage. From 1869 to 1890, Kansas , Utah, Washington Territory, and Wyoming had given women the vote. In 1893, New Zealand with a population of under 700,000, was probably equivalent to those US states and territories that already had given women the vote, and I'm sure that their example had an effect on NZ. Re Covid - It's probably true that NZ as a white, western type democracy has been successful in its elimination strategy, but this is luck - a good national leader and compliant population. But don't forget that Taiwan, even China, South Korea, Kerela in India, and even more importantly in my part of the world, the Pacific Islands and Australia, have been equally successful, so far, in the elimination and control of the virus. These other places are hardly ever mentioned

[@Nowhereoh]

@walter Cook I am also enjoying the lectures. He didn't mention westward expansion to HI, Guam,P.I. and other islands. Other C19 to mention are Zimbabwe, Belize,Chiapas state of Mexico and Goa state of India. There has been little virus in my area of CA. Thanks for your comment.

[@danielcantu2388]

While I am so enjoying your amazing lectures, where is mention of the great Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudi? His Barcelona Apartments, la Sagrada Familia Cathedral, etc., are the best examples of the Art Nouveau era.

[@HistoryofID]

RIGHT YOU ARE!!!!!! So important, in fact, that there is usually a student-produced research project about him. One of the problems with making this "class" public-facing is that the classroom part isn't included, and that is a LOT of additional content about manufacturing methods, materials, and designers.....

[@mareksicinski3726]

1:08:38 is that really true? That was a specific ideolgoical thing

[@oldbrasso808]

Thanks! free education! Very nicely done.

[@dominikcunningham9079]

Would it be possible to get a source for the statement you made about Leopold the king of Belgium’s efforts to create more trade with the world through the gifting of free material? Would be greatly appreciated!!!

[@HistoryofID]

I will comb through old notes and see if I can locate this for us!!!

[@dominikcunningham9079]

@@HistoryofID that would be amazing!

[@pistolannie6500]

She would have most likely.. Still... have been wearing a corset.

[@luvmalynn]

You are officially my favorite person on KZbin!

[@ThatsAllFolkss]

Re-up! 🙃

[@pupsap7714]

Cute video, not-so-cute suit.

[@YellowFreesias]

Two thumbs up 👍 👍 and eight paws 🐾 I worked all through our 5-week lockdown digitizing all my stuff for students (luckily I had a head start with my programme) so it's been inspiring to watch these now

[@boobio1]

Based Saudi Arabia on womans.

[@rz9305]

Thank you so much I Would love to take a class from you I am captivated

[@pistolannie6500]

What books are on your Reading List for your class???

[@HistoryofID]

It isn't ideal (there IS NO ideal book for this...) but I use Carma Gorman's EXCELLENT Industrial Design Reader, a collection of primary source writings, full of great ideas, and the Fiells' Industrial Design, full of beautiful pictures. If you want a more general book about design, David Raizman's History of Modern Design is the general go-to and doesn't disappoint.

[@joeygarner1636]

I've heard about how universities have become radically liberal. It's interesting to see how the teachers slide in feminist/leftest propaganda as if it's historical fact, interweaving opinion and personal perspective (often the most negative interpretation) with fact. It's very dangerous for someone with the privilege and responsibility of teaching history to insert their own one sided opinions and perspective. I feel bad for students digesting this with no filter, worse for society.

[@grzegorzswist]

In 46 minute you mention how Vikings are no longer around. Vikings were not people. It was a profession. You literally went viking( raiding). As a people, Danes and Swedes are still around.

[@anthonylemkendorf3114]

Loved the lecture but good luck trying to politically shame Artists (and it’s more likely to encourage exactly what you don’t want).

[@allenanderson4911]

You are asking "why" .... Dude, it's visual appeal. It's thoughtless sensuality, a feeling, emotion. It's there to make you feel good. There is no "why". "Talking about art is like dancing about architecture" -Laurie Anderson. Pontificate much? Just show the art. Maybe a little music. And Shut Up!!

[@myxini]

LMAO someone who doesn't understand art history, I see