A Brief Art Deco History
The City of Lights, 1925. Advertised as the Exposition Internationale
des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes, the world’s most renowned,
influential artists and designers converged together in Paris to share a
vision of the future. This high profile event, the International Exhibit
of Decorative Arts and Modern Industries, was organized to present the
evolution of design. Hailed as a “celebration of living in the modern
world, the exhibition showcased the contributions of artists’ modern
interpretations of established designs. The collective of artistic
visions, described as experimental and avantgarde, suggested the
beginning of something revolutionary in the world of modern design. From
this exhibition, a new design tradition emerged. Originally dubbed Style
Moderne, the design movement now recognized as Art Deco would be given
its proper name in 1968, when the passage of time allowed for the
studied retrospective of the phenomenon it proved to be.
Upon its arrival in America, Art Deco swiftly enveloped American
culture; its widespread applications proved its appeal was based on more
than simple visual allure. Style Moderne concisely defined the
contemporary times of 1920’s and 1930’s America. Spurned by the events
of World War I, a healthy economy provided the perfect conditions for
positive outlooks and collective good spirits. The movement banished the
design traditions of the past; Neo-Classical, Revivalist, and Victorian
design movements were too stuffy and austere to convey the values of
contemporary America. Style Moderne was decorative, functional and
cutting edge. The revolutionary Style Modern married luxury and function
in a versatile design.
During its apex in the 20’s and 30’s, Art Deco style defined the
mindsets and lifestyles of the times. Art Deco served as an
interpretation of the social norms, expectations, dreams, desires,
interests, fascinations, frivolities and spontaneities of the culture in
which it developed. A redistribution of wealth, brought on by the end of
darker times, paved the way for industrial progress. Prohibition was
prohibited, and a sense of revelry and celebration pervaded the country.
Women cut their hair, hemmed their skirts, and asserted their rights.
Morale was at an all time high; the future was bright with promise.
Art Deco Design - Eclecticism Defined
Art Deco style is one of contradictions. Through the juxtaposition of
contrasting elements, Art Deco style combines the traditional artistic
renderings of ancient cultures with modern symbolism and archetypes. It
is geometric and colorfully bold. It is monochromatic, subdued and
minimalist. Art Deco favors natural materials like gemstones, marble and
sandstone. It employs man made materials, such as concrete, lacquer and
steel.
However, in spite of its originality, Art Deco style drew inspiration
from recognizable designs. Primitive forms such as geometric steps and
mystical symbols were common applications. In architecture, Art Deco
borrowed the columns of Neo-Classic buildings. In art and decoration,
the winding floral renderings of Art Noveau translated to an
interpretation of flowers reminiscent of the Cubist tradition, color
blocked and angular.
Current events such as the discovery of the Egyptian King Tut’s tomb,
riveted the world in fascination. The mystical splendors of ancient
Egypt mesmerized and captured the collective imagination. Art Deco
designs incorporated the sphinxes, pyramids, and golden icons of Egypt,
commemorated the interest of modern culture. The luxurious grandeur of
ancient Egypt resonated with the glitz and glamour of the modern age.
The parallels drawn between ancient Egypt and contemporary American
values perfectly captured the essence of Art Deco style.
Art Deco and the Transcendence of the Everyday Object
The fusion of the Art Deco design and American culture spawned a
movement that influenced every aspect of the contemporary lifestyle, and
captured the spirit of the 20’s and 30’s through the modern
reinterpretations of traditional designs. Inherent in works of fine art
and the designs of the interior of architecture, fashion, home
furnishings, industrial mechanisms, ocean liners, automobiles, and even
common household items, the Art Deco style updated the traditional forms
of the past.
Art Deco’s signature clean, streamlined forms encourage the eye to glide
along the smooth, uninterrupted outline of the design. The aerodynamic
appearance of a streamlined design conveys a sense a movement. Commonly
applied to ocean liners and automobiles, the sleek, modern forms allude
not only to speed, but also to the consumerism of the period.
Streamlined automobiles depicted in advertisements suggested power and a
membership to the upper class; and streamlined ocean liners hinted of
leisure cruises and vacations.
Perhaps the most interesting examples of Art Deco style are in the
reinterpretation of common household objects. Art Deco philosophy
dictated that every object, no matter how humble its purpose, could be
transformed into art through decorative application. Prior to the art
deco movement, cigarette lighters were typically unremarkable in
appearance. However, cigarette smoking became the vogue in the 20’s and
30’s and as a result; the status of the cigarette lighter was that of a
fashion accessory. And so cigarette lighters were transformed into
sculptured, streamlined, lacquered, and embellished designs; transformed
from humble object to artistic application of the Art Deco tradition.
The Legacy: Art Deco Modern Revival
 The Art Deco movement collapsed in 1940. As times of war have a tendency
to do, the collective high spirits of American culture expended
gracelessly like hot air from a balloon. The optimistic outlooks of the
culture crashed faster than the stock market.
Historically, Art Deco was the breath of fresh air taken between the
smoke of World War I and World War II. The Great Depression, and the
belt buckling that accompanied it, destroyed the spirit which fueled the
Art Deco movement. Perhaps this is the reason why the Art Deco movement
came to be associated with frivolity and false luxury in the minds of
those who experienced the period.
The look associated with Art Deco style has had periodic revivals since
its 1940 decline, often represented in the entertainment sectors of film
and animation. The graphic advertising prints of the 20’s and 30’s are
common fixtures in entertainment establishments, such as restaurants,
lounges, and night clubs. Also, a surge in the renewed popularity of art
deco style is driving the reinterpretation of the style in the designs
of contemporary home furnishings.
Today, Art Deco style goes by a new name; it is sometimes known as retro
modern, sometimes as vintage modern or some variation of the two.
Regardless of the label attached to the style, it still looks fresh and
modern. In spite of this enduring quality, to deny its origins and
historical relevance would be cultural plagiarism.
Recently, many celebrities (with the assistance of a personal stylist)
are adjusting their personas in an effort to capture the smoldering
glamour possessed by legendary starlets during the era of old Hollywood.
Naturally, the actions of celebrities spark the fashion trends that
spread like wildfire through the boutiques and shopping malls of
America.
Americans yearn to remember a time when the future looked bright with
promise; a desire to return to a time when a woman never left her home
without dark red lipstick and dark eyeliner; to daydream of a time when
the classy, streamlined design of an automobile was a sexy thing to look
at. Ingeniously capitalizing on the glamour of old Hollywood style, the
Art Deco style’s rebirth as vintage modern, seduces American trends and
popular culture through the sweetness of nostalgia.
To live in the present day, means to exist in a time of uncertainty. It
is a time of war with no end in sight. We are disillusioned by a chain
of events that infuriate us. Feeling the weight of uncertainty is
frustrating; making it difficult to determine how to answer a child’s
questions, and what information to include, or omit. And ignoring the
1,000 lb pink elephant in the corner of the room is proving to be an
impossible task: the health of the planet, steadily declining to an end
that will prove to be an apocalyptic finale.
Why is Art Deco style returning? As Bill Murray famously said in the
classic film What about Bob? “I’m on vacation! A vacation from my
problems!” Art Deco style is reappearing because Americans need a
vacation from their problems. The vintage modern trend appeals to modern
popular culture because of the psychological associations connected to
the Art Deco period, instilling nostalgia for a period in history that
exemplifies positivity. The spirit of Art Deco during the 20’s and 30’s
defines the essence of the American Dream. The optimism, the cultivation
of beauty and glamour in the every day, and the pursuit of hedonistic
happiness inspire popular culture to lighten up, to keep the faith, to
foster pride and to make the most of every day.
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Art Deco Style is the definition of eclecticism. Drawing inspiration from a wide
variety of sources, Art Deco Style has its own unique look that is difficult to
define. Its range of characteristics makes it an extremely versatile style, and
an enjoyable one to work with, since Art Deco is easily integrated into a wide
variety of personal styles. This makes Art Deco admired by many and a favorite
among collectors.
We are proud to introduce our exciting Art Deco Molding Collection! Achieving a
timeless look that manages to be both classic and modern is easy with our art
deco inspired crown moldings and baseboard moldings.
Art Deco Molding
In the 1920’s, Art Deco updated the designs of classical traditions and
indigenous artistic forms of expression, and joined them with its own modern
representations. The artists and designers of the Art Deco period continued to
draw heavy inspiration from Nature and adhered to the guidelines that define The
Golden Ratio.
Art Deco style Bowl is highly decorative and heavily indebted to traditional forms
Art Deco is laden with symbolic icons and motifs, drawing reference from the
past, but also illustrating the present values of the time as well as society’s
aspirations for the future. During the Art Deco era, the redistribution of
wealth after the World War I funded the growth spurt of urban areas. As a
result, the birth of the skyscraper became a symbol of progress and of
nationalistic pride, representing America’s place in a brave, new world. As a
motif, the stepped, pyramid-like form of the skyscraper was represented on Art
Deco furniture and lighting
Art Deco crystal table lamp |
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