Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society Officially Gives Arts & Crafts Movement its Name

Founded in London and born out of the influence of William Morris and Philip Webb, the society’s objective was “to assert a new public relevance for the work of decorative artists.” Arts & Crafts sought to erase the distinction between fine art, design and craft, while uniting creativity and manufacturing. The society also officially gave the Arts & Crafts movement its name. This progressive design movement was one of the first to pose questions about the latest technology, mechanization and art. Arts & Crafts sought to harmonize the relationship between the artist, machines and art. Morris’s philosophical stand against poorly made manufactured goods would prove highly influential to Henry van de Velde, who brought Art Nouveau to Belgium and founded the Weimar School of Arts and Crafts. Walter Gropius would take over for van de Velde and the Arts and Crafts school would become the Bauhaus in 1919. Thus, a line can be drawn from the ideas of Morris directly to the founding of Bauhaus. Morris and this enormously important movement, according to Frank Popper, is the beginning of electronic art’s journey.