Art Deco
28 April 2027 - 16 June 2027
10.45 – 12.45 Wednesdays
£86.00 – £570.00
Description
Art Deco was arguably the most distinctive and elegant of international, inter-war styles, one which embraced all forms of design, from the fine and decorative arts to fashion, film, photography, transport and product design. This course will explore new directions in fine art and painting, the rise of the machine aesthetic and interest in new materials like aluminium, Bakelite and chrome as well as the cultural changes which led to the new ideas about personal adornment and interior design. Although it began as a luxury style, Art Deco is also marked by a clear element of modernity, reflecting the plurality of the contemporary world at the beginning of a new century. This course examines key figures such as Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Jean-Michel Frank, Eileen Gray, Paul Poiret, Sonia Delaunay and Rene Lalique, and themes including International Exhibitions, “skyscrapers”, “exoticism”, performance and the development of streamlining.
“Christine’s previous series on “Iconic Interiors” was a fascinating journey through the world of structured design and its relationship to taste, function, practicality and liveability. It was great to look at all the different styles and trends in a linear fashion. It highlighted what designers were railing against, but also how difficult it was to come up with a style that worked for the masses. All in all, a delight”
Course Outline
28 April 2027 – The Origins of Art Deco: Sources and Influences
Inspiration came from diverse cultures, places and art forms and, as such, there are many ‘faces’ to Art Deco. The growing interest in ancient Egyptian, Aztec and Mayan cultures and the arts of Africa and Japan and American Jazz music will be explored.
05 May 2027 – A Luxury Style: Rare and ‘Exotic’ Materials In French Furniture and Design
Featuring exquisite craftsmanship and the use of “exotic”, rare and precious materials (as well as humble substances used in unexpected ways), luxury objects made in France, particularly Paris, were defined by their quality, verve and imagination.
12 May 2027 – The Exposition Des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes, Paris 1925
This seminal Parisian extravaganza (which later gave its name to the style) was an enormous factor in the establishment of Art Deco as one of the key ‘modern’ styles of the 20th century.
19 May 2027 – Deco in Fashion: From Paul Poiret to Sonia Delaunay
As a walking ‘advertisement’ for the Deco style, contemporary women’s fashion exposed huge numbers of people to new designs, shapes and colour palettes which felt incredibly modern in various ways and appealed to a wide range of female consumers.
26 May 2027 – Objects of Desire: Deco Jewellery, Metalwork, Ceramics and Glass
A dazzling array of exclusive goods for wealthy connoisseurs and eager customers were created by a relatively large number of talented designers, craftsmen and artists. We will consider a range of materials and makers as we look as some of the iconic pieces of the style.
02 June 2027 – An International Style: From Manhattan and Miami to Mumbai, Shanghai & Beyond
Art Deco can legitimately be called an international style in terms of architecture and design. It caught the imagination of architects, town planners, and developers in a wide range of often-surprising countries and cities across the world.
09 June 2027 – Interior Design on The Silver Screen and at Sea: The Style Writ Large
The ‘Deco interior’ became easily recognizable thanks in part to the interiors depicted in numerous successful Hollywood movies, as did the theatrical and fabled spaces created for the SS Normandie. Viewers and travellers were transported into otherwise unimaginable Deco worlds.
16 June 2027 – The Legacies of Art Deco
On our final day we will look at several of the Art Deco revivals which have emerged in the century since the Paris 1925 Exhibition, and we will assess persistent influence of the style on design and the arts today.