The Evolution of Art Deco _ Madii

The Art deco movement began in the 1920’s by a group of artists who are thought to have ifluenced the art deco style as a whole. They called themselves “La societe’ des artistes décorateurs” (the society of the decorator artists). The group included such artists as Hector Guimard, Eugene Grassat, Raoul Lacheral  and Paul Bellot. Their purpose was to demonstrate internationally the evolution of the french docorative arts. They organised the 1925 Expostition “Internationale Des Arts Deoratifs et Industriels Modernes”, which was the culmination of style moderne in Paris. Where the artist Cassandre first earned a reputation for himself with a poster he created for a cabinet maker that earned first prize. At its best, Art Deco represented elegance, Glamour, functionality and modernity. Its linear symetry was a distinct departure from the flowing asymetrical organic curves of its predecessor style “Art Nouveau”, But just like Nouveau embraced influences from many different styles of the early 20th century, including Neoclassical, Constructivism, Cubism, Modernism & Futurism. Also being a design medium, Deco influenced all areas of design including Fashion, Interior design, visual arts, film and architecture in which the survival of the design movement mostly resides. “The Empire State building” in New York is a perfect example of this, designed by Brooklyn born architect William Frederick Lamb who studied at the “Ecole des Beaux Arts” in Paris along with impressionist artists Cassandre, Monet  and Renoir.

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