Lecture on the 1920s and Art Deco

Introduction to the 1920s

• Common associations: jazz, flappers, Hollywood, The Great Gatsby, the Chrysler Building.
• The 1920s was a period of prosperity, lavish spending, and entertainment.

Art Deco Movement

• A major art, design, and architectural style that spanned the 1920s and the Great Depression.
• Characterized by exquisite craftsmanship, lavish decoration, and rich materials.

Origins of Art Deco

• Preceded by influences in Belgium and France before WWI by Joseph Hoffman and Auguste Beirei.
• Officially introduced at the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris.
• Named after the exhibition: Art Deco.

Spread and Influence

• Despite no American artists at the 1925 exhibition, the style quickly gained popularity in the USA.
• Became mainstream in countries like Great Britain, Portugal, Cuba, Russia, Indonesia, China, Australia, India, and Brazil.
• Represented modernity, luxury, and progress—embraced by the affluent society.

Impact on Various Fields

• Popular in theaters, cinemas, ocean liners, train stations, commercial and public buildings, skyscrapers (e.g., Chrysler Building).
• Influenced jewelry, silverware, glass objects, fashion, advertising, theater, movie sets, cars, radios, and household items.

Artistic Influences

• Influenced by Cubism, De Stijl, Futurism, Constructivism, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Aztec, classical antiquity, Chinese, and Japanese art.
• More decorative and symbolic compared to modernist movements.

Characteristics

• Straight lines, sharp edges, and geometry contrasted with the ornate style of Art Nouveau.

Art Deco and the Economy

• In the 1920s, it embodied luxury and opulence with costly materials and craftsmanship.
• During the Great Depression, became more restrained, simplified, and austere.
• Streamline Moderne: new architectural style focused on aerodynamic design and horizontal structures.

Legacy

• Post-WWII, Art Deco's popularity waned, giving way to functional modernism.
• Still influences designers and architects today.

Notable Examples

• Art Deco interiors: Bar American in London, P1 Club in Munich, Fitzgerald Suite in NYC Plaza Hotel.
• Art Deco in media: British series Poirot, Tim Burton's Batman, Baz Luhrmann's "The Great Gatsby."

Conclusion

• Art Deco remains a source of joy and inspiration.
• Call to action: Explore art deco in your surroundings, media, and support further content creation through subscriptions and Patreon.