Rather than a design movement, Art Deco was an international decorative style that emerged in 1920 in Paris while the Western part of the World was dominated by the foundation of the International Style. Art Deco had its roots from the Wiener Werkstatte, Russian Constructivism and the Italina Futurism. This style looked to natural forms same as Art Nouveau in previous years only being less decorative.
Art Deco was a time when people wanted to forget the traumas of the previous World War, enjoy themselves and look to the future. For a long time Art Deco was considered the antithesis of Art Nouveau and modernism. Like their predecessors in the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movements, designers from Art Deco aimed to eliminate the distinction between fine and decorative arts, but re-include the importance of the role of the artist-craftsman in design and production.
Buildings took over Art Deco style in the late 1920s and because of this it became known as the Skyscraper style as there were competition of which is the tallest building. One of the skyscrapers that was very known at the time is the architect William Van Alen's Chrysler Building in New York which was the world's tallest building for 11 months before it was surpassed by the Empire State Building in 1931.
Art Deco was highly influenced from ancient Egyptian civilization and tribal art. Infact, the Chrysler Building includes a head of an eagle in each corner of the building. As Art Nouveau was also influenced from ancient art, I found this chair (image below) that also includes the idea of having a head of an animal at its edge.
Chrysler Building, 1930
Eagle head, Chrysler Building Art Nouveau chair
Buildings took over Art Deco style in the late 1920s and because of this it became known as the Skyscraper style as there were competition of which is the tallest building. One of the skyscrapers that was very known at the time is the architect William Van Alen's Chrysler Building in New York which was the world's tallest building for 11 months before it was surpassed by the Empire State Building in 1931.
Art Deco was also known for the Odeon Cinemas also called the Odeon style. These buildings were had huge pillars reaching skywards and smooth curves inspired by the ocean liners stretching to the horizon. Mentioning the ocean liners, cruises became popular by this time for not only travelling but also serving as a hotel on sea.
Odeon Cinema, 1935
One of the designers of this time was Rene Lalique who moved from the curvy style of Art Nouveau to the highly stylised of Art Deco. He used to design mainly glassware where he icluded insects and nature forms in the former style and more organic forms in Art Deco.
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Graines D'Apereges Lamp, Art Nouveau Cire Perdue Vase, Art Deco
References:
Anon, 2012. Rene Lalique VaseWorld Records. [image online] Available at: http://rlalique.com/blog/?tag=r-lalique-cire-perdue-and-rene-lalique-cire-perdue [Accessed 1st December 2013]
Anon, 2013. Rene Lalique Lamp Catalogue. [image online] Available at: http://rlalique.com/rene-lalique-lamps [Accessed 1st December 2013]
Daily Mail Reporter, 2009. Odeon popcorn palaces. [image online] Available at:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1180949/From-bargain-bin-store-bingo-hall-sad-fate-Odeon-popcorn-palaces.html [Accessed 1st December 2013]
Greenhalgh, P. 2000. Essential Art Nouveau. London: V&A Publications
Thomas, 2013. Metal Works. [image online] Available at:
http://burritobros.blogspot.com/ [Accessed 1st December 2013]
wikia, n.d. Chrysler Building. [image online] Available at:
http://parasiteeve.wikia.com/wiki/Chrysler_Building [Accessed 1st December 2013]
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