Deco vs Moderne
Continued from Page 56
This design concept showcased
these unusual materials for
their own sakes – not to copy a
Grecian motif or to create a faux
medieval castle. The new “modern”
style emphasized a high level of
workmanship and single or very
small editions, sometimes each
item in a small edition slightly
different than the others and of
importance to today’s investment
level collectors, often signed by the
designer.
Additionally, there were
technological and engineering
advances at the turn of the
century that enabled new ways
of designing and lighting interior
spaces – electric light bulbs,
plastic Bakelite, aerodynamics
science, automobiles. For example,
glass maker Renee Lalique lit the
interior of the SS Normandie’s
1st Class Dining floor-to-ceiling frosted glass imbedded
with electric lights the base instead
of traditional
hanging ceiling
chandeliers.
There were
no wri t ten
r u l e s f o r
t h e n e w
modern look,but generally was understood
that simple sometimes surprising
functional forms and
colors would the restrictions previous historical
styles. So when you collect this
furniture and “smalls”, don’t expect
a single “look” – but all examples you
will find have a boldness, stressing
line and function, with unusual and
often curved shapes, strong colors,
geometric forms and sometimes wild
animal motifs like zebra rugs and
leaping antelopes.
Some of the leaders at that
time include Rene Lalique glass
designer, Jean Dunand specializing
in lacquers, Erte visual designer,
Leon Bakst designer for the
Diaghilev Ballet Russe, Edgar Brandt
metalwork; and both Émile-Jacques
Ruhlmann and Jules Leleu furniture.
By 1912, the French government
felt they were ready to promote
their new style and planned a huge
international exhibition in Paris to
showcase the new luxe products
– but WWI interrupted these
plans and it wasn’t until 1925
that it happened: the Exposition
internationale des Arts Décoratifs
et industriels modernes,
commonly called the “Art Deco”
had been invited to
pavilion there, but
President Hoover didn’t
our designers were
modern enough, so
he turned down
the invitation.
That infuriated
Americans,
n d a f t e r
visiting the fair
and checking
out the new “Art
Deco” designs, they
determined to create
an American version
of the modern look
which they called “Art
Moderne”.
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American Art Deco Flamingo Night Light
58