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