1920s And 1930s Art Deco Architecture

Architecture in the 1950s was representative of the conformity caused by the Cold War. McCarthyism and the Red Scare were some of the major sources of this conformity. McCarthyism was the persecution of innocent people assumed to be communist and the forced conformity that the practice aroused in American public life. As the government grew more and more concerned with the development of communism in the United States, the country became extremely against communism and with the help of John McCarthy, the government set out on a mission to find all the communists hiding in the depths of America; many people were questioned and hundreds were either killed or exiled, even those that were wrongly convicted. With the threat of being removed from

The architecture of the 1920s was very elaborate and strongly influenced by European movements. Soaring business profits and higher wages allowed American to afford more expensive architecture (“The Great Depression (1920–1940"). The indoor architecture included walls that tended to be one color with a glossy finish; floors were typically linoleum or vinyl, usually patterned. The fire places were bold and stepped. Also, chrome and etched glass became popular with much of the architecture ("Period Style- 1920s"). For example, in the novel The Great Gatsby, Nick states "… with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble swimming pool, and more that forty acres of lawn and garden" (Fitzgerald 5). In addition to

Question 1. Choose an architect or practice whose work is covered by or relevant to this course and discuss critically one or more of their design projects or drawings or urban proposals as precedent case-studies. Selectively situate this work in relation to their body of work, and against the practices and concerns of the period. Focus on the architectural qualities of a specific key aspect of the design of the projects. Selectively consider how they might relate to the historical situation, cultural values, theoretical concerns and design practices of the time. This may involve a selective analysis of compositional design practices, material fabrication production and the experiential reception of built outcomes of the projects.

In the 1920's Art Deco was a popular form of art. It also influenced architecture, fashion, and furniture. Art Deco used bold geometric shapes and strong colors. It used concrete, smooth stone, and terracotta as materials. Art Deco represented modernism and a bright future.

In this essay I am aim to explore Pugin’s dissent from tradition through his ideas, inspiration, and his most important works and their meaning. To dissent from tradition is to defy a stultifying tradition or convention, which leads to new, daring styles (Richardson, McKellar, Woods, 2008, p.109). The ‘traditional’ architectural style in the early 19th Century, in Great Britain was classicism, inspired by ancient Greece and associated with democracy as well as with the French revolution (Richardson, McKellar, Woods, 2008, p. 112). Pugin, called this classical style ‘the new square style’ (Figure 4.7, in Richardson, McKellar, Woods, 2008, p.123) and argued that it lacked authenticity of Great Britain (Richardson, McKellar, Woods, 2008, p.

At the end of World War 1, people came to the realization that the values they held did not seem to correspond to what they believe in anymore because of what they experienced during the war; so, they decided to explore new ones. The 1920’s was an era of breaking social norms in America and adopting new ones that not everyone agreed with. This rebellious nature sparked an energetic and dynamic expression throughout the country. Architecture played an important role in contributing to the 1920’s that still reflects in the present.

Painters, musicians, and novelists could easily flourish during this time. American artists experimented with their craft and tried out different techniques that weren’t as popular in the 1900s and 1910s. In painting, artists created a new style called Art Deco was being created (Scott). Art Deco is a decorative art that largely affects architecture, and variety of interesting materials can be used in Art Deco, such as aluminum, stainless steel, lacquer, inlaid wood, sharkskin, and zebra skin. Art Deco also incorporates zigzag patterns, steps, sweeping curves, chevron patters, and sunburst. Well known American painters from the 1920s of Art Deco are Max Parrish and Cole Phillips (Scott). Another art form popularized in the 1920s was surrealism. It began to catch fire after the end of WWI and utilized techniques such as automatic drawing, automatic painting, decalcomania, frottage, fumage, grattage, and parsemage. Many surrealist paintings were made with the intention of looking dream-like and shocking audiences. Some pieces contained violence, nudity, and decay (1920s Art). Another type of art in the 1920s was modernism. Modernists, such as Georgia O’Keefe, broke away from traditional ideas. O’Keefe’s paintings were mainly influenced by the city scene and south west landscapes, such as “Ram’s Head with Hollyshock and Little Hills”

The Chrysler Building is an Art Deco style skyscraper that was built during one of the most severe economic downturns in this country's history. The building was finished in the year 1930 and is located in New York City. The Chrysler Building was constructed using stainless steel over an exposed building surface which was a first for its time (History of Walter P. Chrysler and the Chrysler Building, “n.d.). The next important thing to think about when understanding the Chrysler Building is to figure out what it was designed for. Although the building was not owned by Chrysler it was used for the corporation's offices which used the building until the mid 1950’s (Chrysler Building, “n.d). Next, when one looks at the Chrysler Building they can tell it represents an Art Deco style by its many unique features. The Chrysler Building represents the Art Deco style because of its monuments,

During the 1930’s the federal government was the largest source of funds to artist through public art programs. This funding allowed the government to suppress certain subjects that were occurring on society at the time. An area the government suppressed art subject matter involved labor disputes that were occurring through the country. In the 1930’s an important issue that was taking public stage was workers attempting to unionize to better working conditions. In the 1930’s the labor force attempting to unionize faced a “unified opposition from a combination of industry and government forces” (pg.413) The federal government was able to suppress many painting showing this subject, but some artist were able to incorporate the topic into

a. Tepee: forms a cone shape; and the straight edges, where the smoke flaps are sewed, overlap and are held together with wooden pins. Most windows are cut out in teepees along with the entry ways. Tipis were used mainly by Plains Indians, such as the Lipan Apache, Comanche and Kiowa, after the Spanish introduced horses into North America about 500 years ago.

What characterizes America better than the iconic New York skyline? Representative of a place of success, ambition, capitalism and consumerism. For most people, you will be picturing a skyline littered with the extravagant skyscrapers that rose to popularity between 1920 and 1930 while art deco, a unique style of decoration was also flourishing across the United States. But why are these unique buildings so iconic and representative of the American culture? In the words of Larry R Ford, a Professor in the Department of Geography at San Diego State University “For nearly eight decades the skyscraper was largely an American phenomenon and seemed to symbolize the energy, enthusiasm and optimism that characterized the United States in the late

Services, including laundry and shoe-shining, were provided on site. The building included 22 single flats, 4 double flats, 3 studio flats, staff quarters, kitchens and a large garage. The Pritchards lived in a penthouse flat at the top with their two sons Jeremy and Jonathan. Plywood was used extensively in the apartments.

Modernist architecture applies to a group of styles that emerged early in the 20th century and continued as a dominant architectural style well into the 1960s.

Le Corbusier, inspired by modern painting, the floating floor and transparency in his design is an echo of what was modern painting. In 1915, he drew six reinforced concrete pillars that held three horizontal slabs, which were connected by a staircase (fig.1). Ferroconcrete in his hand was like a sculpture’s clay used to express his ideas. Le Corbusier transmuted the concrete skeleton developed by engineer to a means of architectural expression that no one before him had tried.

Art deco included luxury items as well as mass-produced products, but both wings had the intention to create modern and anti-traditional designs that illustrated wealth and elegance.