Week 9: Art Deco

Art Deco

As we move along in the interior design world, we come to a point around 1925 where some wanted to continue the modern style, while others wanted to pay tribute to characteristics that are seen in Art Nouveau. Due to this conflict, the Art Deco era was born and harnessed both modernism through modern building materials, and styles that ruled before modernism, such as art nouveau, through decoration. 


One of the biggest influences on the Art Deco style was the Industrial Revolution. The use of modern building materials allowed for buildings to be larger and taller. Furniture of the art deco style reflects these skyscraper skylines through stepping profiles and zig-zag details all while also using modern materials to construct the furniture, such as tables, sofas, and lamps. 


After studying designers of this time such as Michel Roux-Spitz, Jean Dunand, Jean Michel Frank, and many more, I noticed a trend in their approach to design. Most of the furniture designs show characteristics of the futuristic modern style. For example, Jean Michel Franks Oak and Doehide Armchair has a simple design that is constructed with 3 main parts: two continuous armrests that also act as legs, and the cushions that are supported by the wood elements. The lack of ornate detail and simple design screams
modernism and the doehide cushions give texture and pattern that subtly hit towards art nouveau. 

This formula is also seen in Emile Ruhlmann’s Armchair, Paul Frankl's Rattan Chair, and Donald Deskey’s cabinet. When looking at a space altogether, art nouveau is shown usually in decoration in wallpaper, paintings, fabrics, and paint. For example, the Chrysler Building obtains furniture that is flat in structure and simple in material, yet the walls and ceilings of the building are decorated in ornate patterns and colors. In short, combining furniture and structure, Art Deco shows how styles continuously adapt and change and use past styles to create new interesting designs. 

One Step Further: SS Normandie


The SS Normandie had three main purposes: To be the largest boat at the time, to be the fastest boat of that time, and to be a floating center of everything French. The last point was one of the reasons the Art Deco style was spread across the world. As the ship voyaged from country to country, it introduced the French native art deco style to everyone. Ships, a sign of luxury, affiliated the Art Deco decorative style with fame and wealth thus being a desired style by many. It is said today the SS Normandie is one of the most decorative and
beautiful boats ever made. Its extraordinary details can be seen in the main dining hall which was covered in hammered glass and bronze detail much like the hall of mirrors in Versailles. It was also groundbreaking in design due to its first ever seen linear theater with a complete stage. Indoors, the pool room’s wall consisted of 80 feet of decorative tile, while outside the gardens included exotic birds in cages and live greenery to create a tropical jungle. There is no doubt that SS Normandie extended details of fortune and fame. Its voyage across the world introduced the Art Deco style that soon after was demanded by all. 



Sources: 

The brief but glorious career of SS Normandie - The History Press

Additional Information:

The Rise, Fall, And Revival Of Art Deco | A Style Is Born W/ @KazRowe (youtube.com)

SS Normandie - Unreal Engine 5 (youtube.com)


Comments

  1. JacobMarch 14, 2024 at 12:53 PM

    You had good information on the art movement as a whole and I liked your one step further and how the details of it is easily seen within the art movement. I also liked the pictures you chose.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Delia T.March 14, 2024 at 9:07 PM

    Great blog Marisa! I think your intro on the transition into the Art Deco period was very well-written, and well-described. I've really enjoyed learning about this period, so I loved reading your blog and seeing all the pictures. I think your one-step-further on the SS Normandie was such a good choice for researching further.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Susan E. KirshMarch 16, 2024 at 8:28 AM

    Marisa,

    I think you did a good job with this blog! I appreciated the layout of it and the detail you provided regarding the Industrial Revolution. I also really enjoyed your 'Taking it a step further' and the way you divided the SS Normandie into three main purposes.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Professor VanderNoordaaMarch 18, 2024 at 2:41 PM

    Well done Marisa! 50/50

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 7: Emergence of Modernism

Image
 The Emergence of Modernism This week we learned that the emergence of modernism began in the early 1900s. Modernism was needed at the turn of the century and possible to be done through the technological advances that were introduced at this time. This daunting style took off following World War I, which in my opinion, gave a new fresh outlook for people to enjoy after a long treacherous war. With this new look, many people could leave the war in the past and start a new refreshing life with a different interesting design style. A major influence of the modern style, which we have the honor to visit some of his most famous pieces of work, is Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright is much like John Hughes: a creator that Chicago is known for and will always be associated with. Born and raised in the Midwest, Wright has designed many residential homes in the Chicago land area. These homes include the Winslow House, the Prairie House, the Robie House, and public spaces like Unity Temple. His...
Read more

Week 14: Post Modernism

Image
 Post Modernism Postmodernism became a trend in the early 1980s when the country was coming out of a recession. With this big shift in society, the design world shifted along with it by rejecting modernism and tracking back to many movements before its time. Not only did people want to honor the past styles, but they also wanted to become more sustainable in their ways of living, so recycling old furniture brought in classic styles all while being environmentally friendly. Another big shift of this time took place in the technology world with the introduction of computers. Here commercial office building layouts changed along with the furniture the workers would be using. Here comfortability and partialism became key in designing. After a long era of modernism, designers such as Ettors Sottsass, Michele de Lucchi, Michael Graves, and George Sowden banded together from across the world to create the Memphis Movement, a plan to abolish modernism. Their style was said to be inspir...
Read more

Week 13: Mid Century Modernism

Image
 Mid-Century Modernism  In this week’s lectures and notes, we focused on mid-century modernism in America. Major characteristics of this time include flat roofs, glass facades, open floor plans, the connection from inside to outside, a-symmetry and earthy tones in architecture, and fun bright colors in furniture.   Joseph Eichler was a designer of this time (1900-1974) who started in the residential realm as a real estate agent. After he studied some of Frank Lloyd Wright's work he became inspired and decided to become a designer himself. Qualities of his homes include open floor plans, glass, concrete, and low-sloped roofs. His structures are minimal and look almost like commercial buildings with their low-sloped to flat roofs yet still give a residential feel through the use of landscape. Another designer of this time was Eero Saarinen, an architect and industrial designer who studied at Yale. Although he designed in the modern era, his designs reflected the needs a...
Read more