The origin of the name “Art Deco” is arguable. The term “Art Deco” can be linked to Swiss architect Le Corbusier who mentioned the term in some of his articles referring to the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes (International Exposition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts) show in Paris in 1925. The term can also be linked to La Belle Époque (Beautiful Era) of France. However, sources credit historian and critic Bevis Hillier with coining the term “Art Deco” in the 1960s. The roots to what is now referred to as the Art Deco movement date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. Since the movement was gaining life during and in between wars, the technology available at the time was in turn applied to the arts. The characteristics that apply to Art Deco can be described as electric, streamline, geometric, symmetrical, and gleaming as opposed to the natural, very organic and asymmetrical elements of the previous Art Nouveau movement. Times were rapidly changing and those same times called for change. Art Deco was to be the answer to the call. The brand new, “futuristic” elements of Art Deco were applied to buildings, vehicles, furniture and other products as well as fine art such as paintings and poster design in its time. The characteristics of Art Deco in addition to any object are what make Art Deco such a luxurious, original movement of its time.
Figure 1-1 Heinz Schulz-Neudamm, Promotional poster for the film Metropolis. 1927.
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Figure 2-1 Henry Trost, Hilton Plaza Hotel 1980 Photo, N. Oregon St, El Paso TX.
Figure 2-2 Henry Trost, O.T. Bassett Tower, 303 Texas Avenue, El Paso, TX.
Figure 2-2
Figure 2-1
Architecture of the Art Deco era can easily be distinguished from other buildings and their styles. As mentioned before, buildings of the early 1900s were constructed with “slick� attributes which eliminated the unnecessary ornamentation of other styles of buildings. Art Deco architecture is very symmetrical and geometric. Out of many, some of the most recognizable buildings in the Art Deco style are the Chrysler Building and Rockefeller Center, both in New
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Figure 2-3 Lee Lawrie, Atlas, 1937. New York, New York.
Figure 2-4 William Van Alen, Chrysler Building, 1928-1930. 405 Lexington Avenue, Manhattan, New York.
Figure 2-3
Figure 2-4
York. El Paso is also home to Art Deco buildings constructed during that era, which include the Basset Tower and Plaza Hotel. Both buildings were designed by El Paso architect Henry Trost, and amongst others are registered as historic places. Art Deco style buildings include the Art Deco characteristics inside as well with symmetrical patterns and gleaming metals and elegant furniture.
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Figure 3-1 Jean Puiforcat, Silverware, 1928.
Figure 3-2 Jean E. Puiforcat, Mexico Tureen, ca.1940.
Figure 3-1
Figure 3-2
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Figure 3-3 Emile J.Ruhhlmann, Rare Piano.
Figure 3-4 Émile J. Ruhlmann, Gonse armchairs (model 278 NR), ca 1930-1932.
Figure 3-4
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Figure 3-5
Furniture and fixtures had to change with the times as well in order to compliment the buildings that housed these items. Important furniture designers during the time were Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann and Jean Elysée Puiforcat. Ruhlmann et Laurent is a company that specialized in interior design including wall paper with Art Deco patterns and lighting fixtures and of course elegant furniture to coincide with the building. Jean Elysée Puiforcat, famous for his elegant silverware, is known to be one of the most important silversmiths of the Art Deco times.
Figure 3-5 Émile J. Ruhlmann (August 28, 1879 November 15, 1933)
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Figure 4-1
Cars and trains were designed with streamline qualities of Art Deco. Streamline design consists of a smooth, partially rounded surface that leaves no room to catch air. One notable industrial designer known for his streamline design was Raymond Loewy. Some of his nicknames according to Wikipedia were “The Father of Industrial Design”, and “The Father of Streamlining”. In addition to the physical design, the luxury that accompanied the times was pulled into transportation. Some examples of Art Deco style cars include the 1929 Bugatti Type 46, 1933 Pierce Arrow Silver Sedan, and the 1936 Cord 810 “Armchair” Beverly Sedan. Trains such as the S1 and the Commodore Vanderbilt were designed with streamline dimensions as well. These are only a few of the many motorized vehicles created during the Art Deco time. The very clean and smooth dimensions and lavish design of transportation during the early 1900s promote Art Deco.
Figure 4-1 1929, Bugatti Type 46.
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Figure 4-2 1933, Pierce Arrow Silver Sedan.
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Figure 4-3 1936, Cord 810 “Armchair� Beverly Sedan.
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Figure 4-4 1934, Commodore Vanderbilt.
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Figure 4-5 1939, Pennsylvania Railroad S1.
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Figure 5-1 Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel, (August 19, 1883 January 10, 1971)
Figure 5-2 Paul Poiret, (April 20, 1879 April 30, 1944). Paul Poiret in his workshop.
Figure 5-1
Figure 5-2
Figure 5-3 Jeanne Lanvin, Gown sketch, 1927.
Figure 5-4 Jean Patou, Gown sketch, 1930.
Figure 5-3
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Figure 5-4
With change leading the way during The Art Deco Movement, fashion also followed. Famous designers of the early 1900s were Jeanne Lanvin, Jean Patou, Paul Poiret, and Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel aka Coco Chanel, credited for the “flapper”. Drapery, feathers, beads and shiny fabrics were elements of woman’s fashion during the art deco movement. Classic Hollywood movies such as The Great Gatsby were filmed during the time and promotes the Art Deco, “Flapper” fashion.
Figure 5-5 Summer fashion, 1920s.
Figure 5-5
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Art Deco style art is highly inspired by cubism, which one can quickly recognize in its pieces. One of the most important or talked about artists during the Art Deco movement is female artist Tamara de Lempicka who according to sources was the “first woman artist to be a glamour star.” Another giant and maybe the most important artist recognized by the Art Deco movement is A.M. Cassandre who is famous for posters of the era and recognized for winning first place in 1925 at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes. A.M. Cassandre’s posters are famous for promoting transportation (Normandie, Statendam…) and advertising products such as Dubonnet and Pivolo Aapertif. A.M. Cassandre’s posters are designed to their simplest form while still communicating effectively. Cassandre pushes size scale by drawing the viewer into the poster. Bold and metallic colors in company of the airbrush gradients and geometric figures are elements of Cassandre, de Lempicka, and other artists’ pieces in the Art Deco style. Figure 6-1 A. M. Cassandre, Dubonnet, 1932.
Figure 6-2 A.M. Cassandre, Pivolo, 1924.
Figure 6-1 Figure 6-2
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Figure 6-3 Tamara de Lempicka, The Musician, 1929. Oil on canvas.
Figure 6-4 Tamara de Lempicka, Young Lady with Gloves, 1930. Oil on plywood.
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Figure 6-4 Figure 6-5
Figure 6-5 A.M. Cassandre, Normandie, 1935.
Figure 6-6
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Figure 6-6 A.M. Cassandre, Statendam, 1928.
Art Deco was very influential and left behind traces of that influence in present times. Art Deco can be best described as the new and futuristic style of the early 1900s while getting away from the old, naturalistic ways of the previous Art Nouveau movement. The times called for a new way to live and shine with style and Art Deco answered that call. Today we can appreciate modern versions of beautiful Art Deco in everything from everyday objects, to advertising, to interior design.
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Colophon Title: Park Lane NF 43 pt. Body Text: Futura 12 pt. (Medium) Footnotes: Futura 11 pt. (Condensed Medium) Images: (Figure 1-1) Heinz Schulz-Neudamm, Promotional poster for the film Metropolis. 1927. (Figure 2-1) Henry Trost, Hilton Plaza Hotel 1980 Photo, N. Oregon St, El Paso TX. (Figure 2-2) Henry Trost, O.T. Bassett Tower, 303 Texas Avenue, El Paso, TX. (Figure 2-3) Lee Lawrie, Atlas, 1937. New York, New York. (Figure 2-4) William Van Alen, Chrysler Building, 1928-1930. 405 Lexington Avenue, Manhattan, New York. (Figure 3-1) Émile J. Ruhlmann (August 28, 1879 - November 15, 1933). (Figure 3-2) Ruhlmann’s Boudoir from the Hotel d’un Collectionneur for the 1925 Paris InternationalExhibition, Plate no.2. (Figure 3-3) Émile J. Ruhlmann, Gonse armchairs (model 278 NR), ca 1930-1932. (Figure 3-4) Emile J.Ruhhlmann, Rare Piano. (Figure 3-5) Jean Puiforcat, Silverware, 1928. (Figure 3-6) Jean E. Puiforcat, Mexico Tureen, ca.1940. (Figure 4-1) 1929, Bugatti Type 46. (Figure 4-2) 1933, Pierce Arrow Silver Sedan. (Figure 4-3) 1936, Cord 810 “Armchair” Beverly Sedan. (Figure 4-4) 1934, Commodore Vanderbilt. (Figure 4-5) 1939, Pennsylvania Railroad S1. (Figure 5-1) Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel, (August 19, 1883 - January 10, 1971). (Figure 5-2) Paul Poiret, (April 20, 1879 - April 30, 1944). Paul Poiret in his workshop. (Figure 5-3) Jeanne Lanvin, Gown sketch, 1927. (Figure 5-4) Jean Patou, Gown sketch, 1930. (Figure 5-5) Summer fashion, 1920s. (Figure 6-1) A.M. Cassandre, Dubonnet, 1932. (Figure 6-2) A.M. Cassandre, Pivolo, 1924. (Figure 6-3) Tamara de Lempicka, The Musician, 1929. Oil on canvas. (Figure 6-4) Tamara de Lempicka, Young Lady with Gloves, 1930. Oil on plywood. (Figure 6-5) A.M. Cassandre, Normandie, 1935. (Figure 6-6) A.M. Cassandre,Statendam, 1928. Created by Fernando Enriquez
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