In Prague, works of the pioneer of modern design are being showcased

Prague - The works of the Englishman Christopher Dresser (1834 to 1904), considered by experts to be a pioneer of modern design, have been exhibited since yesterday at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague. Dresser was among those who, even during the Industrial Revolution, sought an aesthetic dimension in the objects that surround humans. Unlike others, he fully engaged mechanical production in the process of creating artistically valuable objects.
    Other designers and theorists of the time pursued the same goal through a return to handmade production. Dresser utilized the advancements of technology and was able to produce his works in factories. In doing so, he surpassed his time, and the goals he achieved had to be rediscovered by the members of the artistic avant-garde at the beginning of the 20th century. Based on Dresser's designs, objects were created in several price ranges - from luxury to very inexpensive, accessible to a wide circle of customers.
    In creating everyday objects, Dresser studied the laws of nature, particularly from the field of botany - for example, he drew inspiration from the growth of plants. Just as the shape of the emerging object, the material used also derived from its future function. Dresser's interest in the functionality of objects is evidenced by preserved studies of the angle of multiple bends in teapot handles, where the search for shapes for the most comfortable use is evident.
    Dresser also adopted shapes and motifs from various historical periods and cultures - he was particularly fascinated by Japanese art. His work reflects the styles that emerged during his career, from English Gothic Revival to Art Nouveau. The range of types of objects that Dresser designed was also wide. For specific clients, he designed complete interiors, while for manufacturers he created wallpapers, upholstery textiles, floor tiles, furniture, and smaller everyday objects, among others containers and other tableware.
    Various teapots, jars, salt shakers, sugar bowls, toast racks, and candlesticks are the subjects of the Prague exhibition. In them, Dresser achieved purity of shape, free from any ornamentation. More geometrically conceived metallic containers have become, according to the organizers, timeless symbols of modern dining.