Opposite Upcycle Aesthetic: Mid-Century Modern vs. Victorian Aesthetic

Mid-Century Modern tends to have a lack of visual clutter that the Gothic movement prides itself on. Motifs and cameos etched into form are one of the biggest characteristics of Gothic furniture. This is closely linked to heavy religious influences that are spread throughout the works. The below credenza has engraved carvings of biblical scenes at the forefront of the work. There is an emphasis on meticulous detail: in and of itself, an inherent class symbol. Furniture like the below piece was made for the noble elite and the church, not for laymen, not for everyday individuals, but for the highest of the high in the class structure. As a result, function comes after form with the Gothic aesthetic. These pieces aren’t meant to be used. They’re meant to be admired, preened over, and desired from a distance.

Below is another photo of the Notre Dame Cathedral, this time from the inside. This image showcases the intricate stonework, beautifully crafted stained glass, and wrought iron components of the aesthetic. Each component is designed in meticulous detail. In addition, nature motifs are used frequently in this aesthetic; note the leaves capping the pillars and the branches and leaves that are smithed into the chandelier.

If I were to remake my project using the Gothic aesthetic, the final product would be vastly different. I would most likely swap the materials used in the lamp to be wrought iron and deep-toned hardwood. As stained glass is also a key component of the Gothic aesthetic, I would swap the folded origami lampshade with an octahedral-shaped stained glass structure with differing scenes on each of the individual faces. In addition, I think I would want to have small florets be the feet of the lamp to keep it off the ground. This design might already seem like a deluge of work, but I would argue: that’s kind of the point? Gothic designs are anointed, almost holy; they represent a lifetime of work from craftsmen who have spent their entire lives honing their skills to create works of decadence. There’s a reason why I didn’t choose it to be my aesthetic to begin with.