Every great endeavor begins with a spark of inspiration—an idea that ignites the imagination and fuels creativity
The De Stijl art movement, spearheaded by Theo van Doesburg and championed by leading figures like Piet Mondriaan, emerged in late 1917 as a revolutionary social medium avant la lettre. Artists converged to share ideas, sparking debates and discussions. While disagreements were plentiful, they all advocated for abstraction, championing primary colors and stark horizontal and vertical lines. This abstract approach was envisioned to permeate every aspect of society, from architecture and design to paintings, advertising, furniture, and clothing, heralding a new era of modernity.
Piet Mondriaan, a pioneering Dutch artist, played a central role in shaping the aesthetic principles of De Stijl. Renowned for his distinctive geometric compositions characterized by bold lines and primary colors, Mondriaan’s work epitomized the movement’s emphasis on abstraction and simplicity. His iconic compositions, such as the famous ‘Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow,’ became emblematic of the De Stijl style, influencing generations of artists and designers.
De Stijl consists of all kinds of artists: painters, sculptors, architects and furniture makers. They dream of a totally abstract designed world. Architecture is very important, because it can change spaces both indoors and outdoors on the street. Together with architect Cornelis van Eesteren, De Stijl founder Theo van Doesburg makes three models including this design for a private house, Maison Particulière. Source: Canon van Nederland
De Stijl’s inception coincided with the tumultuous backdrop of World War I, during which the Netherlands maintained neutrality. Post-war, Theo van Doesburg embarked on a mission to promote De Stijl internationally, journeying to Paris and Weimar. Despite its modest circulation, the ideas propagated by De Stijl carried immense significance. Alongside the German Bauhaus movement, De Stijl emerged as one of the most influential avant-garde movements of the early twentieth century, leaving an indelible mark on art, design, and culture worldwide. Explore the profound impact of De Stijl further here.
A Network of RYB Buildings
In the realm of minimalist art, the De Stijl movement wielded the universal primary colors—Red, Yellow, and Blue—as potent symbols of a profound yearning for global peace. But amidst their artistic endeavors, did these visionaries entertain the notion of erecting a worldwide network of Red, Yellow, and Blue buildings? While architects embraced the movement’s distinctive style, the idea of forging a tangible global network remained largely unexplored. Though the vibrant hues of Red, Yellow, and Blue permeated the global art scene, symbolizing unity and creativity, the movement’s original message of peace gradually waned, overshadowed by evolving artistic trends.
Here at Red Yellow Blue (RYB), we embark on a journey to resurrect these historical concepts and reimagine the potential of a contemporary network of Red, Yellow, and Blue buildings. Our mission is to breathe life into this visionary idea, transforming it into a tangible and impactful concept for today’s interconnected world.
What is an idea or concept?
Idea is an instant thought on a particular problem to solve it while concept is an idea which comes out with thorough planning to get the desired result.