The Art Deco Period

If any art form encompasses the ego culture and grandeur that is the American dream it would be art deco. The art deco period has been extremely influential on the twentieth century American culture. With its smooth flowing lines and graceful forms the style was adapted in to many of the preceding art movements, including pop art. Post World War I life and the industrial boom combined with increased wealth creative an opulent style of art and design that is treasured to this day.

After the First World War rations were lifted and the country as a whole was flourishing. It is interesting to note that the movement took its name from an exposition of decorative arts and modern industry in 1925. Thus the name art deco and it started the modern age genre of design, which was held popular through the sixties and has had an insurgence of retro design in our modern time. After more and more artists, designers and architects were influenced with the style it became a trademark of the twenties. Art Deco styling appeared in a multitude of mediums. Ships had more streamlined elements. Buildings were embellished with grand architectural elements crafted out of wood, steel, or stone. Furniture took on a more stylized look with heavy construction bold prints and earthen elements. Clothing reflected the grand style that was Art Deco. Reflecting the style in the lines, colors, and accessories. Advertisements during this time took on a unique feel. The illustrations were based mostly upon smooth flowing figures, objects or abstract forms. Posters were a popular form of Advertising in the beginning of the twentieth century, and they were not left untouched. The typefaces used in posters in the Art Deco period tended to be large and bold. Some unique typefaces were designed then and they conveyed the streamlined style of the art and architecture. The influence was so strong that Art Deco had an influence in just about every aspect of life.

The architecture designed with Art Deco styling might be the most notable of all Art Deco influences. Many of those buildings still exist and stand as a vintage example of the movement that changed the design world. Supreme examples of Art Deco architecture include the Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, and many of the hotels lining South Beach in Miami, Florida. The steel structures of that time were crafted to be seamless and streamlined representations of masculinity and power. The architectural elements that were Art Deco never seemed casual. They shouted power, strength and quality. The interiors were not too ornate, but they were not minimalist. Everything seemed to have such a sense of balance and integrity that such gilding was quite unnecessary. Many of the buildings that represented the epitome of the Art Deco style were commercial in purpose. They attracted people with money and those working to earn it. The furniture of the period utilized expensive and rare wood, making a piece that was only available to the wealthy. Some was imported in to the country from France and others used fabric from the far corners of the Earth.

The art pieces during the Art Deco period evolved with the change of American Industry. The nation became more commercialized until the Great Depression and then the commercial sector grew enormously after the Second World War. The American car became the canvas for postwar Art Deco design. The use of streamlined elements became commonplace and the grandeur of Art Deco was emphasized, if not exaggerated. Bold, bright colors were used as accents and the metallic look of polished metal was captured in many paintings and illustrations. The crisp lines and painted planes almost looked photo realistic, even though they were still quite stylized. Geometric forms were always part of an Art deco design. The masters of the period could use shapes to create drama in such amazing an ingenious ways. The period had a simple and complex side. They balanced each other in all of the Art Deco period designs.

All in all, the Art Deco period was the beginning of an era. American artists took the beginning of a French art movement and expounded upon the ideas and style. Most notable and widely recognizable is the architecture that was inspired by the Art Deco movement. The basis of Art Deco design was continued through the Modern and Space Age designs of the sixties. Not every aspect of art benefited from the Art Deco movement. However, it changed the way this nation views commerce, achievement, and greatness. Art Deco is almost like a visual satire, with its exaggeration, and stylization. Nevertheless, this opulent style was essential for the variety and opulence of the past that we can study and learn from now, perhaps incorporating it in to a new art movement and having a renaissance of Art Deco.