From Paris Exhibition to Global Phenomenon: The Rise of Art Deco

Art Deco emerged as a lavish and theatrical design style that gained significant popularity in the 1920s and 1930s. It is characterised by geometric and curvilinear shapes like scallops, clouds, zigzags, sunbursts, fans, and steps, often emphasising symmetry to enhance the beauty of figured wood veneers, Bakelite, chrome, and glass. The style's bold and dynamic appearance was influenced by cubism, futurism, and the Bauhaus movement, while also drawing inspiration from ancient cultures such as the Aztecs and Egyptians.

The term "Art Deco" originated from the design exhibition "Des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes" held in Paris in 1925. The exhibition called for modern design and decoration, prompting visitor Helen Appleton Read to observe that "gone is all carving and superimposed decoration," and that design must now rely on the application of colour, flat design, and the inherent beauty of unadorned materials. Art historian and critic Bevis Hillier popularized the term "Art Deco" in 1968.

While Art Deco is primarily known for its decorative and aesthetic aspects, it also carried a sense of optimism for the future given its historical context. It emerged after World War I, a time of new technologies such as faster travel and radios in homes, as well as the increased use of industrial goods and new materials like chrome, aluminium, and various plastics. The onset of the Great Depression in 1929 brought economic challenges that lasted throughout the following decade, leading up to World War II. Prohibition was also enforced in several countries, including the United States, Russia, Hungary, and Finland. Art Deco style offered a sense of escapism and hope during these global struggles.