The Art Deco movement was created alongside Modernism as a way for the middle class to have an accessible form of art to call their own. Born out of the Jazz age of the Roaring 20s, Art Deco looked to the future, with stark geometric lines, visual symmetry, aerodynamic shapes. It became associated with glamour and luxury, and advertisers soon jumped on the bandwagon to exploit the interest in this new art form.

The Art Deco style was a collaboration between the old and the new. As King Tut’s tomb was discovered, there was a growing interest in ancient forms of artistic expression. There was also the development of new materials and manufacturing processes that spoke of a better future. Designers merged the new and the old by focusing on the bold geometric designs of ancient Egypt and mathematical forms of new scientific achievements.

Due to Art Deco’s emphasis on luxury, it also fell into decline as the world began to change. When focus shifted to global issues during World War II, the interest in the Art Deco style diminished.

(Click on the images to view larger versions)