Download - Art Deco
Art Deco
Art Deco is a form of Modernism that flourished in the United States and
Europe in the 1920s and 1930s. Art Deco represented the rapid
modernization of the world.
While the style was already
widespread and was in
fashion in the United States
and in Europe, the term Art
Deco was not known.
Modernistic or the "1925
Style" was used. The origins
of Art Deco began two
decades earlier in Paris. “La
Societe des artistes decorateurs” or the Decorative Artists Society was
founded following the Universal Exposition of 1900. Early members, including
architect Hector Guimard, believed in the importance of France’s decorative
arts and marketing their achievements for business purposes. These artists
also displayed their creations at the International Exposition of Modern
Industrial and Decorative Art in Paris in 1925. However the actual term, 'Art
Deco', was first used in 1968 by Bevis Hillier in his book, Art Deco of the 20s
and 30s.
Art Deco was primarily an elegant design style dominant in decorative art,
fashion, jewelry, textiles, furniture design, interior decoration, and
architecture. It began as the Modernist follow-up style on Art Nouveau but
more simplified and closer to mass production.
Different types of wood and precious metals, tortoise shell, lacquer, egg
shell, shagreen, leather, aluminum, and zebra skin, stainless steel, lacquer
and inlaid wood, a cross-fertilization of styles either imported from colonial
empires and the Orient or borrowed from art history, all were the
characteristic signs of this exceptional
craftsmanship aimed primarily at a rich
international clientele. It was an updated look based
on very classical forms. It was a style "at once
traditional and innovative". (Bayer) The main
elements of Art Deco architecture were its
nonstructural decorative elements and its focus on
modernity. It is characterized by the use of crisp, symmetrical geometric
forms. The style is reminiscent of the Precisionist art movement, which
developed at about the same time.
The structure of Art Deco is based on mathematical geometric shapes. It was
widely considered to be an eclectic form of elegant and stylish modernism,
being influenced by a variety of sources. The ability to travel and
excavations during this time influenced artists and designers, integrating
several elements from countries not their own. Among them were the so-
called "primitive" arts of Africa, as well as historical styles such as Greco-
Roman Classicism, and the art of Babylon, Assyria, Ancient Egypt, and Aztec
Mexico Much of this could be attributed to the popular interest in archeology
in the 1920s (e.g., the tomb of Tutankhamun, Pompeii, the lost city of Troy,
etc.). Art Deco also drew on Machine Age and streamline technologies such
as modern aviation, electric lighting, the radio, the ocean liner and the
skyscraper for inspiration. Streamline Moderne was the final interwar-period
development, which most thoroughly manifests technology and has been
rated by some commentators as a separate architectural style.
Some historians see Art Deco as a type of or early form of Modernism. Art
Deco followed in Art Nouveau's footsteps in that it also paid homage to
beauty, but it was a more 'modern'
interpretation. The Machine Age was well
underway at this time and function
became an important requirement again.
The rounded, scroll, naturalistic motifs of
Nouveau were replaced with geometric,
angular and streamlined motifs like
zigzags and chevrons (notice the
difference in designs in the two lamp
pictures above). Function was important,
but not at the expense of beauty and
decoration.
Art Deco design influences were expressed in the crystalline and faceted
forms of decorative Cubism and Futurism. Other popular themes in Art Deco
were trapezoidal, zigzagged, geometric, and jumbled shapes,which can be
seen in many early pieces.
Art deco was also a product of the fertile artistic exchange between Paris,
France, and New York City that occurred after World War I (1914-1918).
American artists, writers, and musicians flocked to Paris after the war and
brought with them a fresh approach to creative work. The French, who
grounded their art in a firm grasp of tradition, absorbed something of the
American spirit of improvisation. Later, American architects who had trained
at Paris's École des Beaux Arts (School of Fine Arts) brought European
influence to the design of New York's many art deco skyscrapers. The art
deco style remained influential well into the 1940s. Like many design styles
that are now considered classic, art deco reflected a key moment in modern
cultural history—the age of jazz, streamlined cars, elegant costumes, and
those classic early skyscrapers.
So the Main Representatives of Art Deco are: Jean Dunan, Tamara de
Lempicka, Pierre Legrain, Francois Jourdan, Eileen Gray, Lewis Sue,Paul Jirbe,
Robert Mallet-Stevens, Rene Prou, Andre Mane, Armand Albert Rateau,
Jacques Emile Ruhlmann, Jean Puiforcat, Georgia O'Keeffe and etc.
A founder of the Decorative Artists Society, Hector Guimard (1867-1942) was
a French architect famous for designing modern facades for the entrances to
Paris Metro stations during the Art Nouveau movement (1890-1905). His
style was curvilinear,
characteristic of Art
Nouveau.
Among many examples,
two American buildings
represent Art Deco—New
York’s Chrysler Building
and Radio City Music Hall. The Chrysler Building was designed by architect
William Van Alen between 1928 and 1930. He initially worked for William
Reynolds (cigarette tycoon), but his plan was later acquired by Walter P.
Chrysler (automotive tycoon). For a short time, this 77-story skyscraper
dominated the Manhattan skyline and enjoyed fame as the world’s highest
building.
Radio City Music Hall is a landmark in New York City’s theatre district. The
site was leased by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and was not ideal for his dream to
construct a new Metropolitan Opera House because of the 1929 stock market
collapse. In a partnership with Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and S.L.
“Roxy” Rothafel, Rockefeller constructed the Radio City Music Hall. An
unknown designer named Donald Deskey, specialist in carpets and furniture,
got the job of decorating the new entertainment hall. His Jazz Age furniture
theme is an extant example of Art Deco design.
Other Art Deco style furniture adorns the lobbies of the boutique hotels of
South Beach in Miami, Florida. This hotel district was refurbished in the
1980s and has become a hub of international culture. When you walk into a
hotel in the Art Deco district, the interior design and the furnishings are true
to Art Deco style.
Another memorable example of Art Deco architecture in the Big Apple is the
10-building complex of Rockefeller Center. This massive complex takes up
six square blocks between Manhattan’s Avenue of the Americas and Fifth
Avenue, home of world class shopping. Rockefeller Center is also the home
of the annual Christmas tree lighting in New York City.
A three-dimensional example of Art Deco is found in the glass creations of
the Frenchman, Rene Lalique. While he was a classic artist of Art Nouveau,
he produced a special series of Art Deco glasses and bowls with geometric,
floral, and stylized bird decorations.
Art Deco was the showcase of a modern society in which tastes and styles
were becoming international, shared as much by the key players of the
Roaring Twenties in the United States as by Indian maharajahs and the
gentry of Old Europe. With its sense of modernity and its simple, elegant
style, it has proven itself through its longevity.
Art Deco was looked upon poorly throughout the 40s and 50s, but saw a
resurgence in the 60s. Similar to the 20s, the mood of the 60s was one of
optimism and hopefulness. The economy was steady, pop culture was
flourishing and the hippie culture was re-inventing the meaning of liberation.
The emergence of modern Pop Art was seen to be reminiscent of Art Deco.
The public began to take an interest again in Art Deco and it was during the
1960s that "Deco sites, such as Miami Beach, and key Deco buildings and
interiors - including the spectacular Rainbow Room in the RCA building in the
Rockefeller Center complex - were stylishly refurbished."
The 1980s were all about excess, luxury and status. The "ME" generation
glorified real estate tycoons like Donald Trump and the young hot shots of
Wall Street. The fashion world's mantra was 'Bigger, Brighter, Bolder'. The
Concorde was the premium travel choice of the jet set crowd. The personal
computer made its entry into the average home.
The culture of the 1980s was reminiscent of the 1920s in that luxury, leisure
and technology were front and centre. And it was during this decade that
saw another Art Deco resurgence, particularly in the realm of graphic design.
Also, fashion and jewelry silhouettes were influenced heavily by the angular,
geometric designs of the Art Deco era. Nightclubs, cocktail bars and hotel
lobbies were again emerging as hot spots of the young and affluent. More
than anything, the 1980s lifestyle was reminiscent of the hedonistic,
pleasure-seeking days of Deco.
Autoportrait (Tamara in the Green Bugatti) 1925
Tamara de Lempicka is perhaps the most famous painter of the art deco
period. She was born in Poland and moved to Russia where she lived until
the Bolsheviks arrested her husband during the Russian Revolution. She
secured his release and they fled to Paris. There she enrolled at the
Academie de la Grand Chaumiere and studying privately. She was quite a
prolific artist (in part facilitated by her spare simple style) and was much
sought after as a portrait artist. If you are interested in learning more about
Tamara deLempicka I highly recommend Passion by Design by her daughter,
Kizette deLempicka-Foxhall. Some Works by Tamara de Lempicka :Young Girl
With Gloves, Printemps, Portrait of Doctor Boucard, Amethyste, Mother
Superior, Portrait of Pierre de Montaut, Girl Sleeping and etc.
The Trapeze (At the Theater Suite), 1983 Ebony and White, 1982
Erte is one of the famous art deco artists. The Russian-born painter Romain
de Tirtoff, who called himself Erte after the French pronunciation of his
initials, was one of the foremost fashion and stage designers of the early
twentieth century. From the sensational silver lame costume, complete with
pearl wings and ebony-plumed cap, that he wore to a ball in 1914, to his
magical and elegant designs for the Broadway musical Stardust in 1988, Erte
pursued his chosen career with unflagging zest and creativity for almost 80
years. On his death in 1990, he was hailed as the "prince of the music hall"
and "a mirror of fashion for 75 years".
In Russia art deco wasn’t so popular acpetially after revolution. May be
because of not so exitind choese of materials. But architectere was strong.
There are a lot of Russian art deco painters, a lot of Russian emigrants that
than become rather popular, such as Leon Bakst (Russian
Designer/Illustrator), Erte (Russian/French Painter/Designer), Boris
Kustodiyev (Russian Painter), Vera Muchina (Russian Sculptor) and etc.
Boris Kustodiyev. Portrait of Fyodor Chaliapin,1922.
Nowadays, Art Deco style survives its renovation, it became popular again.
“Machine theme” won’t die. Today, we can see it in video games production
and creation. It gives a game a retro-futuristic feel. Art Deco style can be
seen in Shanghai. Art Deco came back as a very popular decorative art. The
fascination with Art Deco never seems to go away. Popular Deco destinations
like South Beach Miami, New York, Montreal, Havana and Paris are more
popular than ever. Art Deco enthusiasts continue to attend annual Art Deco
Congresses. Today's celebrities seem to have an obsession with the Deco
look - red lips, sparkling diamonds and all out glamour gowns are a common
sight on the red carpet. So many of today's hotels, nightclubs and
restaurants are being infused with an Art Deco aesthetic.
It seems that we as society have a unquenchable thirst for beauty, glamour
and luxury. Art Deco represents hope, optimism and beauty and even during
tough economic times, the appeal of Art Deco is hard to ignore. At the end of
a long hard day, there's nothing better than a cocktail, a dose of leisure and
a huge helping of hope for a brighter future.
1780 words
Bibliography
Blondell, Alain & Brugger, Ingirid. (2004) Tamara de Lempicka. Royal
Academy Books. 168 pgs.
Claridge, Laura. 1999 Tamara de Lempicka: A Life of Deco and
Decadence. ClarksonPotter Publishers. 430 pgs., September 21.
Charles G Martignette Dr. The Great American Pin-Up (Jumbo Series)
Art Deco: 1910-1939, Charlotte Benton,2003 , 464 pgs
http://www.art-deco-style.com/art-deco-definition.html (10/05/2010)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Deco (14/05/2010)
http://www.arthistory.net/artstyles/artdeco/artdeco1.html (14/05/2010)
http://www.artcyclopedia.com/history/art-deco.html (16/05/2010)
http://www.erte.ru/ (16/05/2010)
http://www.huntfor.com/arthistory/C20th/artdeco.htm (16/05/2010)
Tania Vasileva
17/05/2010
British higher school of Art and Design
Foundation course
Art Deco