|
Art Deco began in
Europe, particularly
France in the early
twentieth century.
It didn’t really
take hold until
World War I and it
reigned until the
outbreak of World
War II. By the
1930’s, mass
production meant
that everyone could
live in the deco
style. The
architecture and
applied arts of the
period reveal a
varied mix. However,
most share the
hallmarks of
geometry and
simplicity, often
combined with
vibrant colors and
simple shapes that
celebrate the rise
of commerce and
technology.
Art deco is similar
to the earlier Art
Nouveau style, but
with a more
Modernist esthetic.
Art Nouveau is
characterized by
intricately detailed
patterns of curving
lines and is rooted
in the British Arts
& Crafts movement of
William Morris. Art
deco style is more
reminiscent of the
Precisionist art
movement, which
developed at about
the same time. Art
deco architects and
artists include:
Rene Lalique (French
glassmaker), Jean
Dunand (Swiss
designer), Frank
Lloyd Wright and
Raymond Hood
(American
architects), Jean
Dupas (French
designer), William
Van Alen (American
architect), Paul
Manship (American
sculptor), C. Paul
Jennewein (German
sculptor), Erte
(Russian/French
painter & designer),
Tamara de Lempicka
(Polish painter)
Jacques-Emile
Ruhlmann (French
furniture designer),
Josef Hoffmann and
Koloman Moser
(Austrian jewelry
designers), Edgar
Brandt (French
wrought iron
sculptor), Louis
Sullivan (American
architect), J.A.
Louis Hay (Napier
architect), Sue et
Mare (French
designer) and
Cassandre
(Ukrainian/French
printmaker).
This style in
architecture is
prevalent in major
cities across the
United States. The
Philadelphia
Convention Hall was
done entirely in the
deco style. We
retrieved 50 foot
long limestone
friezes depicting
figural timelines
with various themes.
Here are some
samples of
architectural
elements which the
architecturolgists
have salvaged from
various demolition
sites...
|
