What comes into your mind when you see or hear the word “classic”? We have classic golf tournaments. Classic cars. Classical music. Classical literature. Classical architecture and design, et cetera. You often hear the expression: “It’s a classic.” While there are many opinions on almost all areas of knowledge, most people will agree on what is a classic.
Webster’s dictionary’s definitions of the word classic includes many references to the ancient Greco-Roman period of history when it was at it’s highest level in architecture and the arts and has served as a standard of excellence since that time. There are many other aspects of that time in history which serve as examples and standards and have had their influence over the ages.
Such is not the full use of the definition of the word. As used for my purposes, the word classic can be applied to that which is the best and highest level of what it represents. It manifest all of the traits and characteristics of it’s time and place in the annuals of history. It needs to have nothing added and nothing taken away. While it is of a certain period of history, it does not become dated. It is timeless because of the quality of it’s design.
These traits and characteristics can be, I think, applied to all times and things.
There are usually classic examples of almost all periods of history since that time, but they have not been as important nor as influential as that of the Greco-Roman era.
All of which is well and good. The problem with the classics for houses and interior design is that they are treated as if they represent the time in which they are built. The current time is not the Greco-Roman era. The present time is the present time. Over the centuries, millions of copies and reproductions of Greco-Roman designs have been made. Such has become a status symbol of the highest nature. From the mass produced ticky-tacky developments to multi-millions dollars single projects, Greco-Roman styles have influenced residential architectural and interiors design. For all of their quality of construction, location, size, skills of workmen, imports, and cost of materials, and financial value, these results are still reproductions.
It’s what many people like, want, and what sells. And status and selling becomes the most important factors.
The same situation applies to interior design and furnishing of many residences as well. More people will go to the past than to the present or the future for their residential designs and furnishings choices. Again, more reproductions and no advancement of civilization.
With all of the education, knowledge, experience, intelligence, imagination, tools, resources, and creativity available in today’s world, many people still go back to previous eras. When such is done, civilization is not advanced. It goes backward.
Is it not of merit that the advancement of civilization go forward rather than backward?
Why does such happen? Is it because we like that with which we are familiar. We are afraid of the unknown. Status is more important than the advancement of civilization. Our emotions over rule our intellect in such choices. Maybe, we are unfamiliar with the options, don’t do the research, or may be, we just don’t want to put forth the effort or care.
Because something is old (design ), does not necessarily make it good (design).
Food for thought.