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Art Deco - History and Modern Influence
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Transcript of Art Deco - History and Modern Influence
Benjamin Low Teck Hui
First Media Design School
Module 2 - Design Theory
Lecturer: Tim
Final Assignment
– Art Deco
15 September 2008
2
Outline
Introduction
…3
History of Art Deco
…5
Modern influence of Art Deco
…13
Conclusion
…21
References
…22
Photocopies of references
Appendix I
Design Exploration
Appendix II
3
Introduction
A study of any art movement is incomplete without first putting it into its historical context. One has to
understand the social, political, economic and cultural forces of the day that helped shape and mould the
art movement into what it became.
The Art Deco movement took place between the two World Wars, during the Roaring Twenties – “a
world dominated by a desire for speed, luxury and opulence(i)
”. It was the Swing era, of big bands and
jazz music (of which dancers and singers were often depicted as the subject matter). It was the Golden era
of Hollywood where celebrities reveled in glamour (portraying an image of luxurious extravagance). On a
darker note, it was also the era of the mafia who ruled the underground (film noire). Most importantly, it
was the era that heralded mass communications and mass travel - by car, train, ship and plane
(international outlook).
All these forces gave rise to a demand for luxury goods in every form - jewellery, ornaments, interiors,
extravagant furniture and fittings. There was a desire to look towards the future and throw away the
shackles of the past as Art Deco broke away from traditional styles to create a futuristic look. It was
international in style and drew inspiration from the art of exotic faraway cultures.
Art Deco was considered a style of cool sophistication for the fashionable upper classes and covered
every sphere of the decorative arts – architecture, interiors, furniture, ceramics, glass, graphics, sculpture,
metal ware and jewellery.
Although many design movements have political or philosophical roots or intentions, Art Deco was
purely decorative. It is an amalgamation of many different styles and movements of the early 20th
century, including Neoclassical, Constructivism, Cubism, Modernism, Bauhaus, Art Nouveau, and
Futurism(ii)
.
4
It was at the 1925 Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes, that Art
Deco became recognized as an art movement in its own right.
5
History of Art Deco
Art Deco is comes in a multitude of forms – from monumental buildings to exquisite petite jewelry.
However, despite its form, certain distinguishing characteristics can be recognized, which gave unity and
coherence to this art movement. To quote Encyclopedia Britannica(iii)
:-
“…
The distinguishing features of the style are simple, clean shapes, often with a “streamlined” look; ornament that is
geometric or stylized from representational forms; and unusually varied, often expensive materials, which frequently
include man-made substances (plastics, especially bakelite; vita-glass; and ferroconcrete) in addition to natural ones
(jade, silver, ivory, obsidian, chrome, and rock crystal). Though Art Deco objects were rarely mass-produced, the
characteristic features of the style reflected admiration for the modernity of the machine and for the inherent design
qualities of machine-made objects (e.g., relative simplicity, planarity, symmetry, and unvaried repetition of
elements).
Among the formative influences on Art Deco were Art Nouveau, the Bauhaus, Cubism, and Sergey Diaghilev's
Ballets Russes. Decorative ideas came from American Indian, Egyptian, and early classical sources as well as from
nature. Characteristic motifs included nude female figures, animals, foliage, and sunrays, all in conventionalized
forms.
…”
6
Poster Art
‘Normadie’ poster by A M Cassandre, 1935
‘Black Revue’ poster by Paul Colin, 19251
‘Orient Express’ poster by Fix-Masseau, 1930s
Poster for the ‘Metropolis’ movie, 19262
Art Deco was when poster art became commercialized. The subject matter of art deco posters are often
consumer items such as the radio, automobile, train, ocean liner, aeroplane, household appliances, or mass
entertainment events such as jazz performances and Hollywood movies. The graphics often use bold
colours and permeate a sense of energy and exuberance. The machine age inspired both architects and
artists alike and the geometric shapes of clean arcs and shapes so characteristic of Art Deco are also
evident in poster design. San serif and modern font typography is commonly used for the first time,
portraying a cool and elegant sophistication.
1 Cubism painting with its distorted perspective can be seen as an influence here. This poster reflects the ‘jazz style’ of Art Deco.
This poster introduced the famous jazz singer Josephine Baker to Paris.
7
Painting
Nude with sails
Girl with gloves
Madame M
Portrait of Madame Boucard
No painter is more iconoclastic of the Art Deco style than Tamara de Lempicka. The Art Deco theme of
the sophisticated modern woman is the subject matter in almost all her works. She uses strong lines and
sharp angles in her stylized female figures – an influence of Cubism. The cityscape of New York is used
as a backdrop in the ‘Portrait of Madame Boucard’, revealing an inspiration from architecture. The strong
backgrounds of billowy fabric or lines of ships’ prows are a typical feature. Her portraits are charged with
sensuality, energy and sophistication(iv)
.
2 Art Deco is influenced by Futurism, evident here in this poster design. The inspiration of New York in the cityscape is used as
the background. This was the era of emerging modern skyscrapers which provided inspiration to the artists of that time.
8
Architecture
Art Deco took off in a big way in America in the 1920s. Angular shapes, a strict symmetric style and the
fin de siecle ornaments being simplified into geometric patterns were the prevalent style of the decoration
of building exteriors then.
Buildings with severe, basic shapes and light, bright exteriors were embellished with cement or sandstone
friezes, fascias, and figurative inserts, and their surfaces arranged in ordered and rhythmical patterns(v)
.
The sunburst is a common motif of building decoration and this is most famously seen at the spire of the
Chrysler building.
Spire of the Chrysler Building
Elevator doors of the Chrysler Building
Union Terminal in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Ceiling of the Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles
9
Helsinki (Finland) railway station, 1910-1914
Tanjong Pagar (Singapore) KTM railway station, 1932
These two train stations almost 90 degrees latitude apart, built around the beginning and tail-end of the
Art Deco period respectively, share similar characteristics. Note the clean curves of the arches, the
circular openings and cubist-like forms. They also share similar decorative motifs on their facades.
Sculpture
Art Deco sculpture is easily recognizable. The bronze and ivory (chryselephantine statuary) technique
was invented and widely used. And the subject matter was often dancers and stage performers from
faraway cultures or Western antiquity, almost invariably female. Animals were sometimes depicted as
well, in various dramatic poses. The pieces were usually handcrafted and individually unique and hence,
expensive today. Exotic materials such as onyx, enamel and silver were used. Certain Art Deco motifs
such as the sunburst and streamlined shapes are also evident in many sculptures.
10
‘Antinea’ by Demetre Chiparus3, c1925
‘The comet’ by Maurice Guiraud-Riviere4, c1920s
Furniture
Art deco motifs such as the use of decorative sunbursts, zigzags and chevrons, usually applied as veneers
to the surfaces of furniture, were prevalent. The imaginative use of bold colour in furnishings was also a
characteristic feature. The materials selected for furniture projects were increasingly exotic. Timbers such
as rosewood, Macassar ebony and amboyna was used and often veneered to accentuate the dramatic
differences in grain and visual texture. Snakeskin, shagreen, parchment and lacquer were frequently
applied to large surfaces to enhance the impression of opulence(vi)
. Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann was the most
famous furniture designer of this time and two of his works are shown below.
3 Silver, gilt and enamel bronze figure of a beautiful revue dance in dramatic pose with elaborate costume, headdress and cape,
raised on onyx and marble sunburst plinth. 4 Depicts a speeding goddess with streaming hair diving through the clouds, with the hair forming a fan of deco flame. Orginally
meant as a vehicle hood mascot /ornament.
11
‘Nicolle5’ by Ruhlmann, c.1926
A Macassar ebony and silvered bronze desk by
Ruhlmann, c1930
Glass, Ceramics, Silver and metalwork, Jewellery, Lighting, Tableware, Fabrics
Silvered bronze enamel clock by Jean Goulden, c.1928
Platinum and 11.50 carat diamond brooch, c.1920
Earthenware teaset by Susie Cooper, c.1934 Glass and enamel vase by Rene Lalique, c.1925
5 Macassar ebony, tortoiseshell and ivory inlaid cabinet
12
Art Deco extended across these art forms as well but an individual exposition of each is beyond the scope
of this paper. What is important to remember that they do share common Art Deco characteristics, such as
being influenced by exotic cultural art - African, Morrocan tribal art, Japanese and Chinese art, Oriental,
Aztec, Egyptian art – often in the form of stylized figurative motifs. Geometric or linear formality and
optical simplicity can also be seen. Bold colours and exotic materials are also common characteristics. All
of which was aimed achieving a traditional yet innovative feel, expressing both modern simplicity and an
elegant dynamism. A notable figure for glass and jewellery making then was Rene Lalique.
13
Modern influence
One example of Art Deco poster design’s influence today is the use of sans serif and modern typefaces.
Apart from typeface, many present day advertising posters also use similarly strong mathematical and
geometric lines and layout so reminiscent of the Art Deco era.
‘Timeless’ album cover for Diane Schuur6, c.1986 Stephane Kardos’s poster ideas for ‘Ratatouille’ film,
c.2007
‘X-men’ poster art by Eric Tan7, c.2007
Album cover for “Cinema Serenade 2: The Golden
Age”, c.1997
6 American blind jazz singer, b.1953-
7 Employee of Disney, Florida
14
Star Wars celebration poster, c.2007
Poster for Ann Arbor, Michigan 2007 summer art fair
by Carolyn Smith
The Diane Schuur album cover evokes the nostalgia of the 1930s Jazz Age with its Art Deco design –
bold colours and clean geometric lines. Similarly, the “Cinema Serenade 2: The Golden Age” reproduces
the look of the 1930s – Hollywood’s Golden Age. The subject matter is a female depicted in a sensuous
and sophisticated way. The black and white colours add to the “old” feel. The Ratatouille posters with its
clean lines and curves and vibrant colours evoke a retro-futuristic feel which is perhaps meant to convey a
sense of classic timelessness for the restaurant. The X-Men poster’s dark colours and intersecting lines,
and the background of luminated eyes gives the poster a sinister and menacing look, which recalls the
mafia-related violence of 1930s Chicago. The Star Wars celebration Art Deco poster recalls the influence
of the machine age on artists, designers and architects in the 1930s, and this suits the futuristic look of
the Star Wars universe. The subject matter in the Ann Arbor art fair poster is a cinema façade which is
itself Art Deco. The clean geometric cube shapes of the buildings and signboard accentuate the poster’s
Art Deco look.
15
Commercial art posters by K C Sanders Art Studio commissioned by Disney, c.2008
The series of posters above are clearly influenced by the Art Deco style. Notice the clean geometric lines
and use of bold colours. The empowered female figure, a performer figure of sorts in a dramatic pose, a
typical Art Deco subject matter, is captured powerfully in the form of Jessica Rabbit and Tinkerbell
above. Notice how the female is depicted as sultry, sensuous and sophisticated, reflecting the mood of
1920s Art Deco movement – when women started becoming a credible force in the economy, and sipped
wine at jazz bars. Notice the typical Art Deco style use of the skyscraper cityscape outline in the
background for the Jessica Rabbit poster. Even the taxi itself is Art Deco in design – recalling the retro-
futuristic sedan design of the 1930s by Chrysler Airflow sedan and Nash Ambassador Slipstream sedan.
The ‘male’ version in the form of Mickey Mouse, is captured in a state of motion, reflecting a typical Art
Deco obsession with speed and power, by his transfiguration into a race car driver and a superhero in
16
flight. The common Art Deco poster theme of travel – featuring ocean liners, trains, aeroplanes,
automobiles – is also somewhat reminiscent in the Mickey Mouse posters. The straight lines, zigzags and
chevrons can clearly be seen (common Art Deco motifs), and add to the exuberant and dynamic feel of
the posters. Notice that there are few curves in the Mickey Mouse posters, and that the curves in the
‘female’ posters belong to the figure of women. The former is about power and speed whereas the latter
provides an interesting juxtaposition of sensuality and power.
Lamp Berger diffuser bottles
Chanel perfume bottles
Notice how the above luxury bottles (containing scent products) are influenced by Art Deco’s use of
rectilinear forms and simple clean curves. This conveys a sense of elegant sophistication appealing to the
tastes of the rich clientele. For the Lamp Berger bottles, note the use of different materials – perhaps gold
or silver – which is characteristic of Art Deco ornaments. However, the design elements inscribed on the
17
Lamp Berger bottles are influenced by Art Nouveau. Note the typography for the Chanel bottles – clean
and simple sans serif.
Trump Super Premiere Vodka by Drinks Americas
Note the use of extravagant materials – the use of real gold, and the clean rectilinear form of the bottle.
The box cover design is a typical Art Deco style.
Art Deco style lighting
Note the clean geometric circles and rectilinear forms. The rightmost two pictures clearly reveal
architecture-drawn inspiration.
18
Swarovski grand piano and coffee machine
Note the lavish decorative feature of the Swarovski crystals, the piano having 9000 hand polished crystals
alone. The coffee machine is Machine Age-inspired.
Tokyo Motor Show 2007, various car manufacturers
Note the retro-futuristic look of the cars and the clean, bold geometric shapes and outline. This “look”
complements the nature of the products themselves, which use futuristic technology such as hybrid fuel.
Note how the first car’s shape reminds one of a carriage drawn by horses. The second car’s shape looks
like the Volkswagen Type I car in the 1930s and the third car’s streamline shape brings to mind the 1937
Chrysler Airflow Club Coupe.
19
Disney MGM Studios - Florida
Disney is a big fan of Art deco it seems. An entire section of the Downtown Disney in Anaheim
California and also their MGM Studios across the Northern Continental America in Florida consist of Art
Deco buildings. Note the rectilinear forms, clean curves and bold geometric cubist shapes. Perhaps the
Art Deco look was chosen to recall the glamour and luxury of the Jazz era in the 1930s, which was also
Hollywood’s Golden Age. From a marketing perspective, the retro-futuristic look enhances the feeling of
being in a fantasy setting, which complements Disney’s business of entertainment. The Disney
Hollywood Hotel in Hong Kong, which opened in 1995, is Art Deco right down to its signage, interiors
and lighting as seen below. Another notable Art Deco building in the international scene is right here in
Singapore in the form of the Parkview Square building. Much of pre-war Shanghai also had a distinct Art
Deco style.
20
Disney Hollywood hotel, Hong Kong
Art Deco also exerted its influence in modern day electronic media design such as games and films. To
quote from Wikipedia(vii)
:-
“
In media, such (Art Deco) examples are obvious in Batman: The Animated Series from the early 1990s in which the
show's creators used art-deco styling fused with a deliberate darkness to create an art-deco variant style often
referred to as Dark Deco. Films such as Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, Dick Tracy, and King Kong have
various art-deco elements as well.
…
Art Deco can also be seen in the graphic design of various video games, such as BioShock and the Fallout series,
which use it to give their high-tech settings a retro-futuristic feel. The film-noir-type adventure game Grim
Fandango largely takes place in a very pronounced art-deco environment, and the strategy game Sim City 4 has
similar influences as well.
”
21
Conclusion
I find the Art Deco movement intriguing because it was the movement that gave prominence to the
graphic artist whose role was to popularize a commercial product by producing images to reach as wide
an audience as possible(viii)
. This is also the reason why I chose to concentrate more on Art Deco graphic
art - painting and poster design - in this paper although Art Deco spans a wide spectrum of the decorative
arts.
Another reason why I chose Art Deco was because when I visited my first American City of Chicago in
2000, I was and still am fascinated by the architecture of some of the Art Deco buildings I saw, including
the Chicago Board of Trade Building, 333 North Michigan Building and the Field Building, all
designated Chicago landmarks. Thus, I wanted to find out more about the art movement that inspired
these buildings.
I think that Art Deco is probably the art style most synonymous with modernization and elegance/
sophistication/ class, which will ensure its timeless and classic status. The influence of the energy,
exuberance, dynamism and modern simplicity of Art Deco design can still be felt today, and the
movement as a whole, is as relevant now as it was then.
22
References
No. Source Author Page no.
i Christie's Art Deco. Great Britain: Pavilion Books Ltd.,
2000.
Gallagher, Fiona. 10-15
ii “Art Deco”. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org Various -
iii “Art Deco”. Encyclopedia Brittanica.
http://www.britannica.com
Various -
iv Art Deco - Painting and Design. London: Quantum Books
Ltd., 1998.
Various 28
v “Arts of the 20th
Century”. History of Art. http://www.all-
art.org
Various -
vi Christie's Art Deco. Great Britain: Pavilion Books Ltd.,
2000.
Gallagher, Fiona. 40
vii “Art Deco”. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org Various -
viii Art Deco - Painting and Design. London: Quantum Books
Ltd., 1998.
Various 34
23
Appendix I - Photocopies of references
24
Appendix II - Design Exploration