Art Deco

Art deco began in the early twentieth century and reached its peak in the 1920 and 1930s (Benton & Benton 2003, 16). It appeared at a dramatic historic time with technological change and political-economic crises. In 1920, there was economic flourish with the rapid growth of industrialization with consumer goods, electricity, and automobiles. The Art Deco filled the need to make the product that feels fancy and luxurious to seduce and attract customers. It celebrated the modern and industrial world with the use of metal and glass. It features high contrast and bold colors. Art Deco is an eclectic style that can be high art but also be popular. It got the inspiration from the western high style and sometimes combined it with "exotic", non-western traditions from Mexico, Africa, and the East (Japan, and China) (Jackson 2003, 67). It can be handcrafted with luxurious materials for the elite. It can be used as decorative with geometric or naturalistic details but sometimes using the strong form as the way to be decorative.

References: 

Benton, Charlotte and Benton, Tim. 2003. "The Style and the Age." In Art Deco (1910–1939), edited by Charlotte Benton, Tim Benton, and Ghislaine Wood, 12-27. London: V&A Publications.

Jackson, Anna. 2003. "Inspiration from the East." In Art Deco (1910–1939), edited by Charlotte Benton, Tim Benton, and Ghislaine Wood, 66-77. London: V&A Publications.