WEEK 7 - Art Deco

"Art Deco" is abbreviation for "Arts Decoratifs." It was a movement that originated in France after World War I, during the 1920's. The 1920's is a period also known as the "Roaring Twenties" because, in places such as the United States, this was a time of economic prosperity, and technological advancements in transportation electricity, and media. This led to a new focus on luxury, and to a mood of celebration. 

 The Art Deco movement shows the differing attitudes between the Functionalists and the Decorators. These two groups responded to modernism in different ways. The Functionalists were more interested in mass-production, the value of engineering and assembly line production, and in reaching a wider range of the market place. The Decorators, on the other hand, were interested in crafted exquisite objects that were labor intensive, and they aimed at an elite market. 

 What makes Art Deco unique is the fact that it is one of the few styles whose finest works are in the interiors, furniture design, and designed objects. There are two sides to the style. The "feminine" side consists of small scale and elegant, fine-crafted objects. And the "masculine" side is a futuristic style, based on machine. 

 Art Deco is characterized by the use of high quality, exotic materials; hand crafted designs; geometric patterns; ivory inlay in furniture; decorative glass and shiny surfaces; the use of lighting fixtures; and the used of lacquered wood, giving a dark finish. During this short, celebratory period between both World Wars, people wanted to have a playful style that expressed their mood 

Historical Examples: 

MS Kunsholm: First Class Smoking Room

Bureau d'un administrateur et lampe de bureau, 1930, Michael Roux-Spitz

Current Applications:





One Step Further...

Jean Dunand is a French Lacquerist, sculptor, furniture maker, and interior designer. He was born in Lancy, Switzerland in 1877. During his teenage years, he studied at the Geneva School of Industrial Arts, where be obtained a diploma after five years. After that he moved to Paris and continued his studies at the National School of Decorative Arts.  He served for a while as an apprentice to sculptor Dampt, and also worked as a coppersmith. 
In 1912, Dunand started working with Seizo Sugawara, who was a Japanese lacquerist who had emigrated to France. This is how Dunand learned the seemingly lost technique of lacquer. He established a workshop specializing in the production of objects using this technique, and he had so many important commissions which led to the enlargement of his studio.

 There are notable refections of Japanism in his early lacquer works. However, he gradually abandoned these motifs for smooth surfaces and more geometric designs that reflected African Art and Cubism.  

A unique black and polychrome lacquered cabinet, 1921, Dunand.


Comments

  1. Professor VanderNoordaaMarch 13, 2018 at 2:08 PM

    Eunice I greatly enjoyed your summary of Art Deco. The rift between the functionalists and the decorators was at the heart of the Art Deco movement.
    "What makes Art Deco unique is the fact that it is one of the few styles whose finest works are in the interiors, furniture design, and designed objects" this statement you made is so true.
    The exotic materials and interesting motifs were so key to this movement. This celebratory style gave the world much relief between the world wars.
    Your more detailed look into the life of Jean Dunand was excellent.

    ReplyDelete
  2. amberbuieMarch 19, 2018 at 9:50 AM

    Eunice,
    I really like how you made an effort to show how diverse the style of Art Deco was for furniture and design. With Dunand's designs, he took inspiration from multiple cultures. Art Deco was fascinated with the exotic and unknown, adding to the appeal of luxury. Also discussing about how there were feminine and masculine designs for Art Deco was helpful to see.

    ReplyDelete

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