ornamentation and crime

Ornament and crime

ADOLF LOOS

In his essay Ornament and Crime, Adolf Loos says that ornament and decorations are not important and unnecessary in a modern society. He believes that ornamentation has hampered the growth of today’s 21^st century society. He claims decorating people’s face and body with tattoos and painting walls with arousing symbols are considered immoral in his time. Also, Loos explains objects with decorations were valuable in the past, but in modern times, cultured people prefer a plain object since they appreciate simplicity and it looks classy. Adding to this Loos says that using decorations is just a waste of money, labor and the materials. The lesser the better is what he sticks to.

 He says that the people who don’t like ornamentation are well of than people who like decorations. Since ornament fashion changes as time passes by, he believes people will waste money and material because they have to replace an old one with the new style according to the latest trends, giving an example of how a good quality object or garment is to be worn for tree years before throwing it off.

Loos acknowledges that the time ornamental crafts-workers spend on their work is important to them, and that he can appreciate it if it gives pleasure to them; nevertheless, he claims people in a modern culture have the art that has taken the place of ornament. He finds art in simplicity throughout his writing. Adding to this in today’s context he also states that the less ornaments you wear, more intellectual you look. 

nandita