Art Deco - the course of decorative and fine art of the early XIX century. It first appeared in France in the 20s, after which it gained popularity in the 30-40s around the world. Basically, the direction was manifested in fashion, painting, and Art Deco was often found in architecture. This style is distinguished by eclecticism, which is a specific fusion of neocolassicism and modernism. Artistic trends such as futurism, cubism and constructivism made a big impact on art deco in architecture.
Features
Features of the Art Deco style in architecture stood out clearly against the background of a smooth and viscous Art Nouveau. There was no trace of the previously fashionable softness of lines and shapes: now clear and pronounced contours and figures were considered stylish. The distinctive features of Art Deco are:
- strict regularity;
- pronounced geometry;
- ethnic and geometric patterns;
- lack of bright colors;
- the use of halftones;
- bright ornaments;
- luxury, chic in design;
- expensive high-quality materials (for example, aluminum, ivory, valuable woods, crocodile leather, silver, etc.).
In America, as well as in France, the Netherlands and some other European countries, art deco evolved over time and acquired some features of functionalism.
Term
A feature of the history of Art Deco style is that this trend arose as if "in one day." The new term originated at the international art exhibition, which took place in 1925 in Paris. French luxury goods were presented at the event, demonstrating that France remained the recognized center of exquisite taste and high style after the recent World War I.
History
At the same time, the direction itself existed even before the exhibition: the first signs of an emerging style became noticeable back in the 1920s in European art. Art Deco came to America only by 1928. In the 30s in the USA, it took shape in a separate Americanized direction. The so-called Streamline Moderne has become a true calling card of this decade: objects of art and furniture in a similar style could be seen in almost every home.
Art Deco was associated with style and luxury: it was believed that this chic was a reaction to the long and difficult years of restrictions and asceticism during the First World War. However, soon a new decorative current, after a sharp take-off, quietly disappeared, disappearing into history: very soon they began to consider it too flashy, fake luxurious. Article finally disappeared with the onset of World War II and the hardships that it brought for itself.
An interesting fact is that in colonial countries, such as, for example, India, Art Deco was popular until the 1960s. By the 80s, interest in this style woke up again, which was associated with the development of graphic design. Thus, despite the fact that this trend did not exist for long, it left behind a huge heritage, the echoes of which are still sometimes heard in various spheres of life and art.
Influence
Although the style in the art deco architecture officially emerged in 1925, it gained especially high popularity by the end of the 1960s. Masters of this art form did not constitute a single community. Rather, this movement was considered eclectic, influenced by various sources that found their fusion in the new style:
- The Vienna Secession of the early period, which brought along a functional industrial design.
- Primitive ethnic art of Egypt, Indians of Central America and the peoples of Africa.
- The archaic period of ancient Greek art.
- "Russian Seasons" by Sergey Diaghilev - sketches of costumes and scenery.
- Creativity of Leon Bakst.
- Futurism and cubism with their crystalline, faceted forms.
- Neoclassicism Bule and Karl Schinkel.
- Plant and animal motifs, such as the sun;
- Athletic figures of women athletes, which became especially numerous in that century, sharp haircuts flappers (fashion of the time);
- Technological advances: skyscrapers, radio, etc.
Art Deco in architecture has become a separate genre, despite the fact that it combines the features of many different directions. Although the period of its existence was short-lived, many examples of this style still delight art critics and ordinary viewers.
Materials
The Art Deco style in architecture and interiors was distinguished by its special quality and high cost. The masters of that century turned to new, bright and reliable materials, and they used them in various fields of art: from decorative and applied to architecture. Enamel and glass, aluminum, stainless steel, crocodile skin, sharks, zebras were actively used. Wood inlay was especially popular.
Sharp, with a clear emphasis on lines, zigzag and stepped shapes were widely used, which went against the soft blurry outlines inherent in the modern style. Often used elements of the rhythm of the chevron and piano keys.
Some of these patterns began to be found everywhere, for example, an ornament resembling the keys of a piano: it appeared on both women's shoes and heating radiators. The Art Deco style adorned not only residential buildings, but also public places such as movie theaters and even ocean liners.
In the modern interior, Art Deco is distinguished by the richness of ornaments of Eastern, Indian and Egyptian culture in combination with the design ideas of modern professionals. The basis of color solutions are contrasts, in particular, black and white patterns.
Representatives
However, Paris remained the center and cradle of the Art Deco trend. Here, products in this fashionable style were especially popular and in demand.
One of the brightest representatives in the direction of art deco was Jacques-Emil Rulmann - the most famous furniture designer of that era. He is also called the last classic Parisian cabinetry.
A huge contribution to the development of the Art Deco style in architecture was made by Jean-Jacques Rato, as well as the French company Süe et Mare, thanks to their products. No less famous were the glass of Maurice Marino and Rene Lalique, wrought iron products by Edgar Brandt, Eileen Gray screen, Jean Dunant enamel, watches and jewelry of the great Cartier company.
Art Deco Sculpture
Although art deco was often found in furniture, interior and exterior decoration of the house, this style also influenced the sphere of sculpture. An original symbol in this art were ivory and bronze items. The sculptors of that time were inspired by the ancient craftsmanship of the East and Egypt, as well as the latest technological advances. So, the French masters were able to develop a new unique style, which managed to raise the status from small plastics to the level of high art.
Among the classical representatives of art deco sculptors Paul Philippe, Claire Jean Robert Colin, Otto Poerzel, Bruno Zach, Ferdinand Price, J. Lorenzl, as well as Dmitry Chiparus.
Streamline moderne
This style direction developed in parallel with Art Deco, but had its own differences. Streamline Art Nouveau, which has become widespread in the United States, is particularly influenced by the industrial scale of production and aerodynamic technology. In the works of this series, silhouettes of aircraft and revolving bullets were found.
The popularity and development of this style was influenced by the appearance of the Chrysler car, which was distinguished by streamlined flowing forms. This model was so highly praised that soon such outlines began to be applied not only to cars, but also to buildings, furniture, and even sharpeners and refrigerators.
Art Deco in the USSR
The Art Deco style in architecture has influenced a lot the appearance of Soviet cities: along with neoclassicism and post-constructivism, the style of this direction has become one of the brightest sources of Stalinist architecture. This influence is especially noticeable on the example of some Moscow metro stations: “Airport”, Zamoskvoretskaya and Sokolnicheskaya lines. It is interesting that many model series of the USSR were copied from famous American art deco projects.
Art Deco is also often found in the architecture of Moscow and other cities. Among the most typical examples are the stock-apartment building built in Novosibirsk by A. D. Kryachkov and V. S. Maslennikov.
Although the attitude to this style in society has always been controversial, it cannot be denied that art-deco is a full-fledged architectural style. Its popularity has grown so much that it began to be used in the design of literally everything, from car design to kitchen utensils. This direction had a great influence on architecture, sculpture, interior decoration, fashion, graphics, industrial design and even cinema.
Art Deco approved the natural reaction of society in relation to aesthetic views of the world. Sandwiched in the framework between the two world wars, this style soared high, but did not disappear without a trace: it still has admirers and fans, and it is unlikely that they will ever disappear.