Art Deco, an influential design movement that began in the 1920s, has had a lasting impact on the art and design world. It emerged as a reaction to the prevailing styles of previous eras, particularly Art Nouveau, and was characterised by its love of geometric patterns, clean lines and opulent details.
Origins of Art Deco:
The movement began in France and quickly spread around the world. The name “Art Déco” is derived from the “Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes”, a world exhibition that took place in Paris in 1925. Art Déco reflected the optimism and dynamism of the period after the First World War and was in line with the industrialisation and modernisation of society.
Characteristics of Art Déco:
Art Déco is characterised by strong, clear lines, symmetrical shapes and a preference for elaborate, often luxurious materials. In terms of colour, bold, bright tones and metallic colours often dominate. Art Deco designs can be found in a variety of media, including architecture, furniture design, fashion, jewellery and graphic design.
Art Déco has influenced the art and design world far beyond its heyday in the 1920s and 1930s. Its legacy can be recognised in the clean lines, the simplification of forms and the use of luxurious, often industrial materials in modern architecture and design. Art Deco has also influenced fashion and film art and remains a popular style for interiors and graphic design.