"Design in Our Lives"; The Museum of Modern Art

For my assignment I had to identify functionality. Functionality furthers to the object being practical or useful too. I had to choose four pieces of artwork that has low functionality and high functionality. Low functionality can be practical and high functionality would something more useful.

My high functionality choice was "Truck: Utility 1/4 Ton 4 x 4 (M38A1) Jeep" manufactured by Willy Overland Motors, Toledo, Ohio. This truck was used in the America warfare events and the best military truck made in its time period.  This truck had amazing designs for military transportation and vehicle equipment.  Another high functionality choice was “Jasper Johns. Flags I. 1973.” The reason why I believe this piece is highly useful is because of its historical background. The US American flag symbolize the meaning and beginning of our nation. The stars on the flag represent the states in America and the 13 stripes stands for the 13 British colonies that declared independence and became the first states in the Union.

Low functionality pieces I chosen were “Eyes Closed/Eyes Open: Recent Acquisitions in Drawings.” The reason why I claim this piece to have low functionality is for its appearance. This artwork seems practical because it seem to be developed by a child. Regardless for it’s meaning, I have seen similar artwork created by the youth.  This piece can only be use for house decoration, and it doesn't serve a purpose that can help people. In addition, “Century of the Child: Growing by Design, 1900–2000” I believe is low functionality. These objects cannot be used to help you anybody lifestyle. It has no mental usefulness. This was created for the children in the early years and the pieces don't have a physical purpose and they can't be useful. This is the main reason that makes these pieces low functionality. The “Eyes Closed/Eyes Open: Recent Acquisitions in Drawings” is definitely ergonomic and the “Century of the Child: Growing by Design, 1900–2000” could be more ergonomic by allowing children to play with them.

         My belief in art and design are base on its importance to reality. I don’t believe that everything that was created and labeled art is really art. Regular broken pieces of glass shouldn’t be considered art because of the way it’s broken. Instead a fancy glass with designs on it can be considered art. I think good design needs to be highly functional and it's design has to have usefulness.

HIGH FUNCTIONALITY

 Willys-Overland Motors Inc.

"Truck:: Utility 1/4 Ton 4 x 4 (M38A1) Jeep"

Steel body

Established in 1909

  
Jasper Johns. Flags I. 1973. Screenprint, 27 3/8 x 35 1/4" (69.5 x 89.5 cm). Publisher: the artist and Simca Print Artists Inc., New York. Printer: Simca Print Artists Inc., New York. Edition: artist’s proof before the edition of 65. Gift of Barbara Bertozzi Castelli, New York, 2011. © 2012 Jasper Johns/Licensed by VAGA, New York

                                      LOW FUNCTIONALITY

   
Willem de Kooning. Untitled. 1966. Charcoal on paper, 10 x 8" (25.4 x 20.3 cm). Gift of Jan Christiaan Braun in honor of Rudi Fuchs. © 2012 The Willem de Kooning Foundation/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

   

Ladislav Sutnar. Prototype for Build the Town Building Blocks. 1940–43. Painted wood, large block: 1 3/4 x 2 3/4 x 2 3/4″ (4.4 x 7 x 7 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of Ctislav Sutnar and Radoslav Sutnar