Art Deco

Art deco history began in France. Originating in the 1925 Le Musee des Arts Decoratifs French Art Exposition, art deco is a design style that is eclectic and originates in the twentieth century's first decades. After the 1900 Universal Exposition, many artists from France formed an informal group called the society of the decorator artists or La Societe des artistes decorateurs.

Art Deco Living Room

Influencing art deco collectively, the purpose of the group was to lead the evolution and the position of the decorative arts from France. They organized the International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Art or the Exposition Internationaledes Arts Decoratif et Industriels Modernes.

Derived from the title of the exposition, the term 'art deco' and 'style moderne' were incorporated in the titles. The term 'art deco' however, was not very popular until Bevis Hilier's book "Art Deco of the 20's and 30's" came out in 1968.

Employed after World War II, the 'art deco' term went into general use after a 1966 exhibit. Led by the best decorative designers in the field of industrial design and architecture, art deco history also encompassed visual art like graphic art, painting and film. During this time, art deco was seen as modern, functional, glamorous and elegant.

Unlike the organic soft pastels of art nouveau, art deco embraced the influences of early twentieth century styles like constructivism, neoclassical, cubism, futurism and modernism. The roaring twenties were when this style peaked and strongly continued in the 1930's in America. Declining in popularity in the thirties and forties, art deco saw a revival in the sixties with Bevis Hillier's first book on this subject coinciding with the exhibition of Minneapolis and the popularity of 1980 graphic design.

Influencing Memphis art, art deco history also played a big role in influencing pop art. Two of the best known pop art examples are found in the Chrysler and the Empire State Buildings. Other examples can be seen in countries worldwide including Spain, Indonesia, Cuba, the United Kingdom, China, New Zealand and the Philippines.

Art Deco's structure is based on geometrical math shapes. Broadly considered to be an elegant form of eclectic modern art, the various influences can clearly be seen in the art itself. Excavations and travel in this period have resulted in artists contributing to the art from the various countries they have been to. Among these influences is the African primitive art, Classicism that is Greco-Roman, Mexico Aztec art and the art of Ancient Egypt, Assyria and Babylon.

Expressed in the faceted crystalline formations of Futurism and Cubism, other art deco history themes include geometric designs, trapezoidal and jumbled shapes and zigzags. Earlier pieces usually contain these elements, such as the style of 'Guardian Building' and 'Fisher Building' from Detroit, Michigan.

Characterized by utilizing materials like stainless steel, Bakelite, lacquer and aluminum, art deco styles also used inlaid wood and chrome. Sharkskin and zebra were also exotic materials used. Bold sweeping curves, fountains, chevron patterns and the ziggurat and sunburst motifs are typically art deco styles. Many times, the use of the motifs was ubiquitous such as ladies shoes using sunburst motifs and grills of radiators as well as the Chrysler Building and the Radio City Music Hall.