Art Deco

2 days ago

Post 01-2025 Aesthetic Explorations

Rising to prominence in the interwar period, Art Deco is very much a reflection of the time in which it emerged. In the wake of the devastation of the first world war and at the precipice of massive technological advances, Art Deco as an aesthetic movement rejects the immediate past to embrace the new world of the future. Art deco embraces influences from cubism, using large geometric forms to create contrast, along with bold colors and ornamentation. The style is frequently opulent, meant to convey a sense of wonder and power.

Some of the clearest embraces of the styule of the art deco period can be seen in many of America’s early skyscrapers. The skyscraper as an architectural form was made possible by the technological advance of structural steel that allowed for buildings to be made taller and taller. One such example is the American Radiator Building. “…[this building] initiated a new trend in skyscraper design in New York City with its bold cubic massing of forms – often associated with the Art Deco style – and its freedom from the Beaux-Arts classical details that had previously encumbered New York City” (Landmarks Preservation Commission, 1). This building is an excellent reflection of the Art Deco style, rejecting the immediate past of the Beaux-Arts classical style, and embracing a new opulence of the future, enabled by the technological advances of the era. We can see this is the distinct large swatches of opulent coloring on the building’s facade, its bold ornamentation, it’s stunning verticality and massive size. The interior of the building also reflects the opulence of the style, intricate cornicing and large stone and marble walls demonstrate the verticality and imposing geometric contrast common in art deco.

[1] By Jean-Christophe BENOIST – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19274379

[2] By Unknown author – architect and architecture. v.126 1924 Jul-Dec., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=108331827

Another example of Art Deco in Architecture can be seen in the Empire State Building. “New York’s Empire State Building is perhaps the most iconic image of sky-aspirant architecture that could ever have been imagined” (Prial 1). Similarly to the Radiator Building, the empire state building expresses opulence through its impressive size, and especially it’s verticality. Narrowing as it rises, the tower seems to stretch forever into the sky, into the future. This motif can also be seen in the buildings lobby, which is tall and decorated with large geometric stone forms

[3] By BigMac – Own work From the English Wikipedia, see [[Image: Looking Up at Empire State Building.JPG]], CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=872816

[4] By 颐园居 – Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=149491498

Art Deco was not only pervasive in the newly enabled architecture of the time, but was present in the daily lives of people. Art Deco styles can be seen in the styling of cigarette holders popular at the time. “The cigarette holder protected fingers or gloves, as well as teeth, from staining, allowed the cigarette to be smoked down while keeping fingers cool, and kept smoke away from sensitive eyes, but it was really all about show” (McMamara, 1). The popularity of cigarette holders reflects the attitude of the age, and of the Art Deco style, and embrace of the opulence of the future, and a rejection of traditional methods. Style brought on for its own sake.

The example below is an excellent reflection of the Art Deco style and it’s attitude. The holder is constructed of steel, an embrace of a new material, and is telescoping, embracing mechanisms of the future. This artifact existing to elevate a traditional experience into the modern image of the Art Deco style

[5] John Bigelow Taylor and Dianne Dubler. “Sterling silver telescopic cigarette holder with ivory mouthpiece and silver and enamel case, imported by George Stockwell & Co. Ltd., London, 1922.”

The next example also embraces a new material, plastic, made ornamental. This cigarette holder again reflects a desire to display opulence with new materials. This piece also reflects the influence of cubism in Art Deco, using geometric forms to contrast and reject the cylindrical cigarette of the past (McMamara 2)

[6] John Bigelow Taylor and Dianne Dubler. “Rather than mimicking the cylindrical cigarette, this colorful plastic holder has a cube-like shape, United States, 1920s”

References:

“Art Deco: A Research Guide.” The New York Public Library, https://www.nypl.org/node/171023. Accessed 21 January 2025.

Benton, Charlotte, et al., editors. Art Deco, 1910-1939. First North America Edition ed., London, V&A Publications, 2003. Internet Archive, https://archive.org/details/artdeco191019390000unse/page/n7/mode/2up. Accessed 21 January 2025.

Caraher, Devon. “What is Art Deco?” Art Deco Society of New York, https://www.artdeco.org/what-is-art-deco-by-devon-caraher. Accessed 22 January 2025.

Duncan, Alastair. “What is Art Deco?” Art Deco Society of New York, https://www.artdeco.org/alastair-duncan. Accessed 22 January 2025.

Landmarks Preservation Commission. AMERICAN RADIATOR BUILDING. Landmarks Preservation Commission, 12 November 1974, https://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/0878.pdf.

McMamara, Rebecca. “Cigarette Holders In The Jazz Age.” Journal of the Art Deco Society of New York, vol. 1, no. 1, 2016, p. 36. Art Deco Society of New York, https://www.artdeco.org/journal1. Accessed 22 January 2025.

Prial, Frank J. “Restoring a Landmark: An Architect’s Perspective.” Journal of the Art Deco Society of New York, vol. 1, no. 1, 2016, pp. 6-8. Art Deco Society of New York, https://www.artdeco.org/journal1. Accessed 22 January 2025.

“What is Art Deco? — Art Deco Society of Los Angeles.” Art Deco Society of Los Angeles, https://artdecola.org/what-is-art-deco. Accessed 21 January 2025.

Wikipedia contributors. “Art Deco.” Wikipedia, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Deco. Accessed 22 January 2025.