DD1000 - art deco

Art Deco began in Paris during the 1920’s, although it only saw international fame between 1932 and the dawn of the Second World War in 1939. It is a movement very strongly associated with wealth, and so sees resurgences in areas experiencing prosperity--such as, for example, Europe during the lull between the World Wars, where Art Deco began.

It was founded by a group of French artists (including Hector Guimard and Eugene Grasset) who referred to themselves as the ‘Society of Decorator Artists’. They aimed to demonstrate the French decorative arts internationally, and how they would evolve therein. Unsurprisingly, the ornate nature of Art Deco was an extension of Art Nouveau.

However, the term ‘Art Deco’ had not been coined until 1968, by historians.

It was largely inspired by mathematical and geometric shapes, which is a thing very much obvious through a mere glance at their architecture. Achieving a kind of stylish, modern elegance was extremely important for them. Another major inspiration came from history. The art and architecture of ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, Aztec Mexico and Babylon, especially, were an influence. This was due to, at the period in which Art Deco emerged, the world was in the midst of ground-breaking archaeological discoveries. It became fashionable in and of itself to excavate these ancient locations, which coincided brilliantly with the notion of Art Deco revolving around individuals showing off their wealth.

Art Deco was always ornamental. Politics was never involved in any pieces created in the movement, seeing as it centred on personal pride, rather than making statements to change the world. It needed to be modern and, if anything, push the world away from the past and misery, to move into an era of prosperity. This became more prevalent whenever countries grew wealthy post-war, and people were more inclined to showcase their prized possessions and earnings.

A whole host of different materials were incorporated in Art Deco pieces. These included aluminium, lacquer, chrome, stainless steel, ivory, ebony and animal hide: mostly expensive items, now generally considered iconic of the rich, entirely due to this movement. This is very much obvious in film noir, in which many middle-class and rich individuals were seen sporting animal hides or fur, as well as ivory. This is a mentality and association we still have today.

Common motifs in Art Deco included steeped shapes, along with geometric curves, with chevron patterns and ziggurat shapes. Fountains and sunburst designs were also very common.

However, as Art Deco became popular and mainstream and mass-produced, it was derided as gaudy and considered cheap by many. That mind-set was often why the movement would die out.