Orange Black and Cream Vase –Boch
The curvaceous and sensuous lines of Art Nouveau morphed into the polar opposite of more straight and angular lines which defined the commanding style of Art Deco in the 20′s and 30‘s. Art Deco’s ornamental style, and its lavishness is attributed to the reaction to the forced austerity imposed by World War I. At the same time the Deco’s rigid and regimental lines embraced the austerity. Germany definitely adopted and influenced Art Deco design. The curved lines of Nouveau were more inclusive and Feng Shui positive then the exclusive and more hostile sharp angles that followed with Deco.
Architecturally Art Deco was easier to adopt in building design then Art Nouveau, a match made in heaven with the emergance of the skyscaper age. Art Deco was of the Machine Age and it adopted its streamline technologies such as modern aviation, electric lighting, radio, ocean liners and skyscrapers for inspiration. Art Deco was used extensively in the United States for railway stations during the 1930s, being designed to represent the modernity and efficiency of railway trains.The foundation of Art Deco :
The foundation of Art Deco was based on mathematical geometric shapes. The ability to travel easily and the numerous archaeological excavations during this period; the tomb of Tutankhamun, Pompeii, Troy, etc., influenced both artists and designers who integrated several foreign elements in their work. At its best, art deco represented elegance, glamour, functionality and modernity
Art Deco became the first truly international style, spreading quickly around the world during the 1920s and 1930s. A myriad of artists beutifully interpreted Art Deco and made it a higly distinctive and memorable era of design.
Art Deco decorative themes :
( from ArtDecoNapier )
◊ Sunbursts and fountains – representing the dawn of a new modern age.◊ The Skyscraper shape – symbolic of the 20th century.
◊ Symbols of speed - power and flight – the exciting new developments in transport and communications.
◊ Geometric shapes – representing the machine and technology which it was thought would solve all our problems.
◊ The new woman – revelling in her recently won social freedoms.
◊ Breaking the rules – cacophonous jazz, short skirts and hair, shocking dances.
◊ Ancient cultures – for oddly enough, there was a fascination with the civilizations of Egypt and Central America.
