Art Facts: The Art Deco Movement
Art Deco flourished internationally in the inter-war years; predominantly in architecture but it also influenced the fine and applied arts. Art Deco was a modernisation of many artistic styles and themes from the past; it began as the Modernist follow-up style on Art Nouveau but was much more simplified and closer to mass production. The 1920’s marked a progressive era in America; an era of prosperity, promise and modernity – this bold era required bold ideas. Early Art Deco buildings were defined with earlier neo-classical styles onto which were applied exotic motifs such as flora and fauna, fountains and chevrons arranged in geometric patterns. Society was reacting against the rigid austerity that the First World War had enforced, people now…