Скачать или смотреть ART DECO: An Introduction

Art Deco burst onto the scene in Paris 100 years ago this week. And it shows that modern can be beautiful.

Art Deco emerged in France before the First World War, but the 'Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes', which opened in Paris on 29 April 1925, popularised it globally. Hence the name 'Art Deco'.

Previously, Art Nouveau was the prevailing style in Europe and North America - it was refined and flowing, its undulating asymmetrical lines (often in the form of flower stalks and vines) gave it an organic feel.

But World War 1 shattered old ideas about "the way things have always been." People wanted something fresh, glamorous, and optimistic — a way to celebrate survival and modernity.

So where did Art Deco get its distinctive look? The roaring 1920s saw huge technological advances, particularly in transport e.g. cars and aeroplanes.

Art Deco was the visual expression of this need for speed. Hence its sharp lines, bold colours, chrome, and symmetry.

But Art Deco didn't totally break from the past. It borrowed ancient motifs (like Egyptian art and classical reliefs) but streamlined them into sharp, symmetrical designs.

While it blended new materials like plastic and stainless steel with traditional marble and bronze - creating its iconic fusion of past and future.

At the time, the US was building the world's first supertall skyscrapers and they used the Art Deco style - see the Empire State Building and Chrysler building.

But Art Deco wasn’t just architecture. It infused everyday life - fashion, furniture, jewellery and even appliances.

Art Deco went out of fashion after World War 2, when function and cost was prioritised over glamour. But it's back in fashion today - see Beyonce's recent outfits, or trendy interior decor.

Art deco shows that modern styles can be beautiful!

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