Art Deco 1920s1930s Art Deco An art movement

Art Deco (1920's-1930's) Art Deco - An art movement involving a mix of modern decorative art styles, largely of the 1920's and 1930's, whose main characteristics were derived from various avant-garde painting styles of the early twentieth century.

Geometry & Brilliant Colours Art deco works exhibit aspects of Cubism, Russian Constructivism and Italian Futurism-- with abstraction, distortion, and simplification, particularly geometric shapes and highly intense colors--celebrating the rise of commerce, technology, and speed.

Modernity The growing impact of the machine can be seen in repeating and overlapping images from 1925; and in the 1930's, in streamlined forms derived from the principles of aerodynamics. The name came from the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs Industriels et Modernes, held in Paris, which celebrated living in the modern world. To Right - Tamara de Lempicka - Self Portrait in the Green Bugatti - 1925 -

Style, Elegance, & Sophistication It was popularly considered to be an elegant style of cool sophistication in architecture and applied arts which range from luxurious objects made from exotic material to mass produced, streamlined items available to a growing middle class. To Right Erte

Furniture: Chairs Simple and clean lines Geometric shapes Cheap and Accessible compared to previous styles

Architecture William Van Alen (American, 18821954), Chrysler Building, 1930, New York City. An archetypal American Art Deco skyscraper, the exterior of the building reflects the Chrysler automobile.

Gargoyles & Design Art The building was faced with Nirosta stainless steel, because of its low-maintenance, and the beauty of its color. Part of the surface decorations include sculptural ornaments comparable to gargoyles and hood ornaments. The radiating curves on the building's dome mimic giant sunbeams, a popular Art Deco theme.

Style & Decor

Culture