Minimalism, need help for research.

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Minimalism, need help for research.

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Started 2 years ago by simpleandclean
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simpleandclean
Member

Hello forum members,

I came upon this forum researching minimalism. I am a student from George Mason University and I am investigating for my class, Japanese influence on interior design, especially on modern furnishings. This forum seems to be perfect to ask questions regarding minimalism, since I found a thread concerning the subject.

Would any of you be interested in participating in a questionnaire, or poll I will be conducting? I would like to know what motivates people to adopt the minimalistic aesthetics. Is it a response to the chaos inherent in developed countries, especially in urban areas that we encounter everyday outside our homes?

And in this same vein, do Japanese interior elements, such as furniture appeal to you? Japan had significant influence in minimalism, and also had influence in modern furnishings. They have a very simple and stream-lined look that creates the illusion of more space, since they are less bulky and ornate unlike traditional Western furniture.

Thanks guys, I would appreciate the help.

Posted 2 years ago #
JuliaJayne
Member

I'll answer though my minimalism was influenced mostly by a mother who bought too many small knick-knacks and liked Early American furniture that I had to dust weekly. I hated dusting all those spindles and little ugly figurines and all the other crap she'd buy while self-medicating at the mall. To this day I hate knick-knacks and spindles (lol).

My other main influences are old-world European design and Scandinavian design because those populations settled here. Although Japan is in my top 5 places I'd like to see before I die, I wasn't exposed to Japanese modernism other than what I have seen in magazines.

Posted 2 years ago #
chacha1
Member

As a dedicated unclutterer with a midcentury apartment full of Japanese, Chinese, and Korean furnishings and art, I would be delighted to answer any questions you might have. Direct contact info is on my blogsite, http://www.ombailamos.com/About.

Briefly, I would theorize that part of the appeal for Westerners of Japanese design is its modernism - it blends well with a variety of Western modern-design schemes - and its attendant non-threatening exoticism. A tansu is recognizably non-Western, but is a utilitarian and low-profile object. In contrast, a stereotypically Chinese piece such as a lacquered cabinet with applied jade ornamentation, or a Korean chest with massive hardware or ornate paintwork, may be utilitarian but also calls attention to itself as exotic, and is difficult to work around in a non-Oriental design scheme - it tends to become the focal point.

DH and I chose Oriental furnishings as a deliberate response to our mutual tendency to collect: closed storage, which happens to be aesthetically pleasing in its own right, was the perfect solution. It was certainly in part an attempt to contain the visual chaos of Stuff and create a peaceful interior space. No one would call us minimalists, however. :-)

Posted 2 years ago #
simpleandclean
Member

JuliaJayne, I completely understand where you're coming from lol. I also had similar experience, and moreover, my big family and I lived in a two-bedroom apartment where all our things weren't properly stored, and was a constant stress on me. That wasn't fun.

Chacha1,I think your theory just helped me make my argument stronger for my research. There was actually an article we read in class that states just that, about Japanese products. The author coined it to be "odorless".

Thank you guys for your future participation. I'll soon post the poll. Chacha1, thanks a lot for the offer, I'll be sure to make use of the opportunity. Again, thank you. You have no idea how much this is helping me. (^_^)

Posted 2 years ago #
Sky
Member

Count me in. Can't say I'm a true minimalist, but I want to be....eventually.

Posted 2 years ago #
bandicoot
Member

i'd love to participate.
i'm more of a rational minimalist though. (i have slightly more books on hand than i really "need" and i have more than two plates because i like to entertain!)

i prefer modern balinese design to japanese, though elements of japanese certainly appeal greatly to me.

Posted 2 years ago #
simpleandclean
Member

awesome, thanks guys! I'm making the questions carefully so I will get the answers I'll need for the paper.

Posted 2 years ago #
jsights
Member

I'd be happy to participate. If you need my e-mail address, let me know.

Jen

Posted 2 years ago #
chacha1
Member

Glad my note was helpful. Looking forward to the questionnaire! Just be sure you don't let your thesis steer your research. My graduate advisor was very strict about me accepting that not all answers to my questions would be the answers I wanted. :-)

@bandicoot ... I *think* I'm rational, but DH & I are so far from minimalist it's laughable. We have more of EVERYTHING than we need!

Posted 2 years ago #
simpleandclean
Member

Here's the questionnaire guys. Thanks again for your participation. Please let me know if the questions seem biased, or just needs changing. And it would greatly help if you can pass this along to other participants who may be interested. Thanks again, words can't explain how grateful I am right now.

Hope this works:
...the embed doesn't seem to work...let me figure this out...

I had to post it in my blogspot...

http://e-boku.blogspot.com/

Posted 2 years ago #
Claycat
Member

I enjoyed filling out your form.

Posted 2 years ago #
trillie
Member

Hi simpleandclean,

I got the impression that your questionnaire was only for people who consider themselves living a minimalism lifestyle. And because I consider myself living an "uncluttered" lifestyle not aiming for the sleek minimalism of interior design magazines, I didn't fill it out. If, however, you need more participants or if uncluttered means the same to you as minimalistic, then by all means give a shout here, I'll be happy to participate :o)

Posted 2 years ago #
simpleandclean
Member

Thanks Claycat and everyone who participated. The input is definitely helping me with this investigation, and the different points of view is helping me shape my argument even more.

trillie: The questionnaire is essentially about Japan's influence on Western modern interior design, and I believe minimalism falls under this category. I suppose minimalism in terms of interior design, not necessarily the philosophy.

You're right that the questionnaire is aimed to those who have already adopted minimalism. However, you can still answer the questions about Japanese influence on modern furniture, if it's relevant to you. What's important is that you write your thoughts about this subject (question 10), if you want to that is. You have a point about "uncluttered", in not necessarily meaning minimalism. It could also mean organized and well kept. But you are more than welcome to participate, because every bit of opinion and insight about the subject will help.

Once again, thank you guys so much. I need as much participants as I can get.

Posted 2 years ago #
simpleandclean
Member

For those who are future participants, my questionnaire is still up on my blog.I posted a new questionnaire with only one question, that's not it, so please scroll down, and you'll see a longer questionnaire. I just didn't want there to be confusion. Thanks again guys!

http://e-boku.blogspot.com/

Posted 2 years ago #
trillie
Member

Ok, done. Good luck! I'm looking forward to your results. :o)

Posted 2 years ago #
simpleandclean
Member

thanks trillie, and everyone too. I just need to connect all these data into one concrete thought lol. It's due next Saturday, the research paper, and I present next Thursday, with a very important person as one of the audience members. Yikes!!

I have 9 responses so far, I need to hit at least 30 for the data to be something significant.

Posted 2 years ago #
suzjazz
Member

I love Japanese architecture and gardens and if I could afford it, that's what I would have instead of a condo in a 120 yr old Victorian house. I got my love of Asian art in general from my mother, who was an artist and made Japanese-style pottery and did Chinese brush paintings. She studied and practiced Zen Buddhism and had several books on Japanese gardens. I love space and furniture with clean lines. The fewer objects that are in a room, the more peaceful I feel. Before my BF moved in with me, I was closer to that environment in my living space. But he is just the opposite of me: a lot of furniture, books, DVDs, sound equipment, computers, etc., makes him feel safer and more secure. We had a lot of arguments about this and finally I said he could have one room like that which could be as messy as he wanted.
This room is a 10 by 11 "den" with the large screen TV (with surround sound and big speakers) a double recliner, bookcases, shelves, and a bureau. When he first moved in I felt claustrophobic whenever I went in to watch TV. But to please me, he has organized everything and keeps it fairly neat. The rest of the house I strive to keep as spacious and uncluttered as possible. The rooms are not large so the furniture has to be small scale, which is a real problem. The bedroom, for example, is mostly taken up by the queen size bed that BF insisted on--I had a full size double bed which is harder and harder to find these days in the U.S. where everything is supersized. Most furniture from Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel looks like it was designed for giants! I couldn't find a small sofa so I ended up with one that is too large for the room.

Anyway, I haven't really addressed your question, but yes, I am an avid proponent of the Japanese aesthetic: small is better, space is good, beautiful presentation of even simple things like a meal is important, beautiful ancestral objects are to be venerated (as in tea ceremony) gardens with many green shrubs with interesting foliage and water elements, shoji screens, bamboo, and I could go on...

Posted 2 years ago #
candy
Member

I've answered your questionnaire. I hope it helps you.

Posted 2 years ago #
bandicoot
Member

i've answered too.
good luck with your presentation and do let us know how it went and what you concluded.

Posted 2 years ago #
simpleandclean
Member

Hey bandicoot and fellow forum members,

So, here's what I found out about modern design and the Japanese influence.

During the Meiji Restoration when Japan opened its doors, there came a surge of Japanese aesthetics in the design world. Most notably, Japonisme. There is a connection between Japan and Bauhaus. Bauhaus was influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement which was inspired by Japanese aesthetics in the form of minimalism. Again, Bauhaus as well adopted minimalism in their design.

There is a direct connection with Japan and Bauhaus, but much later after the Meiji Restoration. There were Japanese designers in the Bauhaus school, most notably, Isamu Noguchi which is considered to be the father of modern Japanese design.

So, Bauhaus is essentially the founder of modern design in architecture and furniture. Bauhaus also influenced IKEA, a globalizing seller of modern furniture. It's no surprise that there are a lot of Japanese elements in modern design.

ZEN influenced Japanese design-->japonisme-->arts and crafts movement-->Bauhaus-->modern furniture= minimalism.

My theory was that the concept of Zen has been appropriated in the West by reducing it to a visual style in the form of minimalism, mostly stripped from its philosophy (at least, not practiced).

Most of you answered that you associate Zen with minimalism,and most common answer for your thoughts about Zen was that it was soothing, calming, relaxing.

Some of you answered that you wouldn't practice Zen, but its overall concept appeals to you.

So, minimalism is a reaction to the chaos outside the world, as well as past 'cluttered' experiences.

Is this fair of me to say? Should my theory become my argument. Do you guys agree with me?

Thanks.

suzjazz,

Thanks for your thoughts. I share the same feelings about Japanese aesthetics,in that it's calming, especially because they integrate nature into their interior. I too have a small room, and I myself implemented minimalism in my decor, with the help of Ikea lol.

I was in a living situation much like some of the members in the forum. It was chaotic, and cluttered and very agitating. We've just recently moved into bigger house with plenty of space for everyone, so I know how it takes a toll on a person. Hang in there! (^_^)

AGAIN, THANKS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED, YOU GUYS HELPED ME A LOT. Even if only 14 people answered, I saw a common trend that agrees with my theory. Hopefully more people will participate to further support it.

Posted 2 years ago #

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