Art Deco

• Art Deco Movement

  firstly appearing in France by the name ‘Artes Décoratifs’ and later flourishing in the United States, The Art Deco movement was seen through a plethora of different mediums and styles like Architecture, Interior Design, Graphic design etc. and its ability to mould many different art forms may have been its key to success. The Art Deco movement is known for its simplistic form, repetition and use of symmetry.
• Symmetry and Balance: Art Deco products typically exhibited a sense of symmetry and balance, with carefully arranged and proportioned elements contributing to an overall sense of harmony.
• Bold Colours: Art Deco design often incorporated bold and vibrant colours such as royal blue, emerald green, ruby red, and gold. These bold colour schemes added visual impact and drama to products.
• Luxurious Materials: Art Deco designers frequently used luxurious materials such as exotic woods, precious metals, lacquer, marble, and glass to create opulent and glamorous products.
• Sunburst Motifs: Art Deco designers frequently incorporated sunburst motifs into their products, symbolizing energy, vitality, and optimism.
• Geometric Shapes: Art Deco design often featured geometric shapes such as zigzags, chevrons, sunbursts, and stepped forms. These geometric motifs were used in both two-dimensional decoration and three-dimensional design.
• Where did it begin and why?

  • This movement followed on from art Nouveau (a style inspired by natural forms and structures).
  • 1920s  and 1930s – named after the Paris Exhibition in 1925 (Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes). 
• What was happening at this time and how did this influence Art Deco?

  • Discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb by Howard Carter in 1922, leading to an increased interest in the art of ancient world. This is reflected in the style (geometric forms and stepped pyramid structures in architecture). 

  The end of the First world war and changing social class systems beckoned a new age of modern living (symbolised by sun set motifs used).
• What was happening at this time and how did this influence Art Deco?

  • Discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb by Howard Carter in 1922, leading to an increased interest in the art of ancient world. This is reflected in the style (geometric forms and stepped pyramid structures in architecture). 
  • The end of the First world war and changing social class systems beckoned a new age of modern living (symbolised by sun set motifs used).
• Who were the major contributors?

  Clarice Cliff, Eileen Gray, Alvar Aalto and Walter Dorwin Teague.