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What Is Art Deco?

Answer:
Art Deco is a design and style of architecture,

furniture, and household goods that was produced during the period of 1920 to 1939. Some claim that the period began as early as 1900 and went as late as 1950, but the early period merely influenced the development of the Art Deco style, while the later period was simply influenced by the style.

This timeframe of style and design was not simply applied to architecture, but also to all the fine arts and home decorations as well. Sculpture, jewelry, furniture, clothing, and graphic arts were all impacted by the Art Deco style.

In its most basic form, Art Deco was a modernization and consolidation of many of the artistic styles and themes from the past eras. By looking at Art Deco designs, you can easily see in many of the designs the influence of the Far East, Middle East, Greek and Roman themes, and even the Egyptians and Mayans. Modern elements in these designs included automobile patterns and shapes including stylized gears and wheels, or items found in nature such as a moon or flower.

Examples of Art Deco architecture in New York City include the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and the Rockefeller Center. In Miami, examples of this type of architecture include the Park Central Hotel, the Greystone, and the Essex House. The Hoover Dam is another example of Art Deco architecture.

Raymond Hood (1881-1934) was one of the most celebrated architects during the Art Deco period in New York City. He was educated at Brown University and MIT, and also studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. He is well known for his design of the Radio City Music Hall auditorium and foyer, as well as the 1929 New York Daily News building. His style is recognizable through his distinctive use of terra cotta and banding techniques.

William Van Alen (1883-1954) is best known for his design of the Chrysler Building in New York City. He was educated in Brooklyn at the Pratt Institute, and he also was awarded a fellowship that allowed him to study in Paris. Once he returned to New York, he was known for designing commercial buildings that defied historical conventions. He became one of the first architects to use stainless steel on a large exposed building surface, like is seen on the Chrysler Building. Even in modern times, its distinctive peak is still one of the most distinctive features of the Manhattan skyline.

Other prominent Art Deco architects include Henry Hohauser (1895-1963), L. Murray Dixon (1901-1949), and T.L. Pflueger (1892-1946).