Art Deco

Art Deco was a movement that flourished between the 1920's and 1940's.  It borrowed elements from all the different styles in the past in order to create a new movement for the future.  The style owed most of its popularity to the great international exhibition in modern and decorative arts which was held in Paris in 1925.  The style embraced almost every aspect of decorative arts including, architecture, interiors, painting fashion, jewelry, book binding, costume, glass, silver and ceramics.  It was all about glamour.  In the beginning it was about simplifying forms and fitting it to suit function.  Architecture embraced all shaved, streamlined curved shapes that were sleek and highlighted with painted, vertical lines that pointed upwards creating an upward movement and new ages glamorous fonts for writing.

Chrysler Building
New York City

Many Art Deco skyscrapers had a stepped pyramidal shape like the Chrysler building in New York City,
Light and space were two very important elements in the architecture of the Art Deco movement.  Elements from around the world influence the architecture and interiors of the buildings of the time.  For example in Frank Lloyd Wright's 'Fallingwater' we can see some Japanese influence. 



Frank Lloyd Wright's
'Fallingwater' interior.

Art Deco was a movement that satisfied a particular need.  The need for a style that will not be changed because it is adaptable for every culture.  It was about combining contemporary art into a lifestyle.

The term 'Art Deco' was first used by the architect Le Corbusier who used the term in a series of articles in his journal L'Esprite Nouveau.  The term was used to distinguish the new style that had emerged during the Belle Epoque.  The roots of this style date all the way back to the period of the ancient Egyptians and greeks.  It was also influenced by cubism, functionalism, modernism, constructivism and Futurism. (Information taken from Wikipedia)

The fashion designer Holly Fulton based her whole Autumn/Winter 2013 collection on Art Deco and so did Herve Leger in his Spring/Summer 2013 collection.  As we can see the Art Deco movement is still very influential today.  The film 'The Great Gatsby' That came out in May 2013 is set in the 1920's.  The director of the film brings out the Art Deco elements very clearly.