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Book Review
The Grammar of Ornament by Owen Jones
Dorling Kindersley £9.99
There are at least four good reasons why this apparently recondite
work on aesthetics, first published in 1856, deserves a notice
in Croydon Focus nearly 150 years later.
First, this reissue is something of a bargain. A lavish folio
volume has been reduced to a compact but elegant 500 page soft
back with more than 2350 small but clear colour illustrations.
Secondly, this was one of the most influential art books of the
nineteenth century. It rivalled the writings of John Ruskin in
its impact and was closely studied by William Morris and the
Arts and Crafts Movement.
Thirdly, Owen Jones had strong local connections as Director
of Decorations for the Crystal Palace when it was re-erected
at Sydenham and designer of its Alhambra Court. His knowledge
of the Alhambra was gained from a comprehensive study he undertook
in the 1830s, when it was still relatively unknown and suffering
from serious neglect. It occupies a whole long chapter in his
book, which, as its editor points out, is more than the space
he devoted to some entire cultures.
Finally, and most important for us today, Jones, like Ruskin,
understood the social dimension of art. In his preface to the
original edition, he deplored "that unfortunate tendency
of our time to be content with copying the forms peculiar to
any bygone age, completely ignoring the peculiar circumstances
which rendered an ornament beautiful because it was appropriate."
His modern publishers call this "the Victorian habit of
mixing elements from a wide variety of sources and applying this
mix indiscriminately." But this could equally well describe
the C20-21 Post Modernist style chosen for so many recent and
projected buildings, not least in Croydon. Come back Owen Jones,
the Croydon Society Planning Group needs you.
George Parish
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