Art Deco

    The twentieth century became a century of speed! The industrial revolution had transformed the world more to an easier and quick life. Both world wars had destroyed all sentimental items and Modernism was the new thing and there was no going back. Art Deco which started around the 1920’s borrowed aspects from all design styles of before in order to fashion the future. It involved every aspect of design including architecture, interiors, fashion, jewelry, painting, graphics and more. The style was all about glamour. Architecture had all shapes- curves and streamlining , vertical lines that lead to sky scrapers and horizontal lines that were clean and cool. In Art Deco there was a lot of experimenting with colour and it was all about turning life into art. Art Deco was less decorative from Art Nuveo. In 1922, there was the discovery of the Thomb of Tutankhamen which inspired all artists of the time. Certain materials were very important in design such as ivory, enamel, shagreen, ebony, and the mother of pearl. 

    Above is an example of an Art Deco magazine cover. It is the France Vogue from the 1930’s. The design is very cool and clean. It looks very chic and elegant. The title is bold but still very smooth.  There is a small Eiffel Tower drawing in front of the light pastel colour which looks very dainty compared with the fashion sketch of the woman wearing brown. The page is very decorative with a stylised look. The Art Deco movement is also characterized by clean lines, streamlining, and symmetry.

    Eileen Gray was one of the architects and designers who have left a significant mark on the 20th centuty. She designed mostly furniture, some which can still be found in the market today. Gray was one who wored mostly alone and not with a company or a group of other designers. She was one of the first feminine designers of the century. Her designs were very modern for that time and also very unique. 

    The chair above is one of her most famous furniture designs- Bibendum Chair. It is made out of leather and tubular steel, which form a very chic style. For the time being, it was a very different chair from the once invented before. This one was very juvenile and fresh. It looks very comfortable almost like a sofa. It is both aesthetical pleasing and with good functionality. In her designs Eileen Gray focused mostly on form and highly stylized geometrical shapes. The Bibendum Chair is a big bulky chair made out of curves and circles. The same exact design is found produce by many companies, and it is her great style that makes her work so prized today. I looked up on the web and found some starting from 2,500 euros!

    Above is a Contampory sofa that has some elements very similar to the one of Eileen Gray. This sofa is designed by the ‘Sofa-Beds Furniture’ company. They are both made out from steel and leather. The main similar element of both chairs is the form. Both their designs are very circular and with curves. The Contampory one is much more bulky and bigger in size, but must be more comfortable since it has more cushioning and also a foot rest.  The one of Eileen Gray is more elegant and also maybe more feminine. This must be maybe because the one from ‘Sofa-Beds Furniture’ reminds of cars because of a similar shape. The mix of red and black leather makes the big sofa more fun. Since it is very bulky this will be the main attraction in the room, unlike the from Art Deco that would be very suitable in a corner in the office.

Bibliography:

2013 http://sofabeds-furniture.com/2011/02/14/funky-and-contemporary-vista-sofa-vibrant/funky-and-contemporary-vista-sofa-vibrant

2007- http://www.yootheme.com/zoo/apps/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&item_id=92&Itemid=3

September 2013 http://artdecoblog.tumblr.com/image/68319677879

All searched on the 1st of Nov 2013