Chapter 14Pictorial Modernism

Art Deco

Plakatstil

• “Plakatstil” - German for Poster Style

• Lucian Bernhard won a poster competition with this poster

• “Reduced communication to one word and two matches.”

• Poster design for Priester matches, c.1905. Color became the means of projecting a powerful message with minimal information.

Plakatstil - Poster Design

• During WWI (1914 - 1918) when radio and other electronic means of communication were not widespread, the poster was the major means of communication,

• Posters promoted propaganda and visual persuasion, boosted public moral, promoted fundraising efforts for the war,

• American posters honored soldiers, home, family and public contributions to the war effort. American (and allies) used a literal approach to design.

• German design was radically different. The approach was more symbolic with words and images integrated. (clinched fist, piercing arrows etc.)

Plakatstil• Leading Plakatstil designer - Ludwig Hohlwein

• Art changed with evolution of social change

• Characterized by: texture, decorative pattern,

flat images

• Hohlwein was primary design of Hitler’s

propaganda posters

Hohlwein - 1915

One of the last posters

that Hohlwein designed

for the Nazi’s. His

reputation was seriously

damaged by his

collaboration with the

Nazi Regime.

Bernard - 1915

Clenched fist in

medieval armor and

blackletter typography

captured the Germanic

spirit and created

national pride.

Art Deco

Art Deco is an elegant style of decorative art, design and architecture which began as a Modernist reaction against the Art Nouveau style. It is characterized by the use of angular, symmetrical geometric forms. One of the classic Art Deco themes is that of 1930s-era skyscrapers such as New York's Chrysler Building and Empire State Building.

Art Deco• Term is used to identify

popular geometric

works of the 1920’s and

1930’s.

• Provided aesthetic

sensibility in graphics,

architecture and product

design during the

decades between the two

world wars.Otto Arpke

Deutsche Luft Hansa, 1926