Name: Minh Tu, Nguyen

ART DECO
Art Deco style was originally from Paris in the first decades of the 20 th century, and become
popular from 1920 to 1939. The term of “Art Deco” was derived from the word Arts Décoratifs of a
world’s fair held in Paris in 1925 “Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels
Modernes”. The theory of Art Deco was developed, based on mathematical geometric,and angular
shapes. It was also considered as Modernism under the influences of the other sources from the
foreign countries and historical art, for example the African tribal art, the Japanese lacquer
technique, the lotus blossoms and papyri of Ancient Egypt, the stepped pyramid and outer
decorations of Mayan, the stepped exteriors and skycrapers of Aztec. It was the era of mass media
and transportation, so that people were looking towards the exotic cultures, international styles and
techniques, broke away the traditional rules to create a more open-minded look to the world.

The designers focused into industrial products rather than the hand-crafts. Their designs are much
simpler and more practical. The materials such as chrome, aluminium, stainless steel, glass, leather,
mirriors, inlaid wood, shiny fabrics, lacquer were preferred at that time. Art Deco reflects the
technological advancements and industrialism of 20 th century.

Chromed-metal and leather chairs of Eileen Gray, Le Corbusier and Charlotte Perriand.

The characteristic motif of Art Deco posters are sunrays,bold colours, abstract with geometric
shapes, and clean edges. The subject matters are usually about transportation, nude female figures,
glamourous Hollywood figures, jazz performance or new technical products, as the development and
commercialization at that time.
 b

The human figures under Art Deco are usually geometric solid with sharp edges and strong lines,
influenced by the Cubism. In the Sleeping Woman painting below by Tamara de Lempicka, her curly
hair looks metallic, her face, neck,eyes, arms and fingers are solid with the sharped- angles like a
statue rather than a real human.

Art Deco fashion was marked by the women’s liberation movement. From early 20 th century, women
became more powerful in economy and society. During the World War II, women went to work for
the first time to replace the men, who went off to war. In many countries such as USA, Brazil, South
Africa, Italy, Spain, England, and South Africa, women had the right to vote. The women’s image was
also changed and the modern women started rebelling against the traditional image. They started
wearing short skirts, got driving license, clubbing, drinking and smoking. Thus, the fashion at that
time mainly focused on women.The Deco fashion was characterized by the boyish shapes (bustless
and hipless form, geometric, angular shapes), short hemlines, rolled down stocking, and Cloche hat.
The architecture, the motif of cubic forms, zigzag designs and sun beams was common. The Art
Deco took a big place in American architecture in the 1920s. The bold colours as well as glass and
stainless steel material were preferred.

Spire of the Chrysler Building The United Artist Theatre

Art Deco was a combination of many different styles of the early 20 th century, such as Art Nouveau,
Cubism, Constructivism, Bauhaus, Neoclassical , Modernism and Futurism. It reflects the
industrialism and the Society at that time, as well as the development in technologies and and out-
look of people in 1920s.