Color in the Examples of Art Deco - Essay Example

Color in the Examples of Art Deco Outline Chapter I - Art Deco - An Introduction 0 Introduction 1 Brief History of the art 2 Importance of Colors and how it was used in Art Deco Expo 1.3 Conclusion 1.4 Summary Chapter II - Review and Views of various experts on the colors used in the works during Art Deco - Literature Review 2.0 Introduction 2.1 Impact of Art Deco Revolution - A study 2.2 Literature Review of various experts 2.3 Works from Art Deco Period 2.4 Colors used in the Art Deco Expo. 2.5 Conclusion 2.6 Summary Chapter III - Significance of the Art Deco Colors - Past, Present and Future 3.0 Introduction 3.1 Impact of the colors used in Art Deco - Reactions from the different sects of the society and world 3.2 Art Deco Culture - Where does it stand presently and in future 3.3 Changing trends in fashion industry, textiles, architecture, furniture and arts. 3.4 Conclusion 3.5 Summary Chapter IV - Perceptions of painters, fashion designers and architects - Data Analysis 4.0 Introduction 4.1 Methodology used to collect the information 4.2 Sources and target groups to collect, collate and compile the information 4.3 Data Analysis 4.4 Conclusion 4.5 Summary Chapter V - Findings and Conclusion 5.0 Introduction 5.1 Findings based data analysis 5.2 Findings based on views and interviews of various experts and targeted group 5.3 Conclusion 5.4 Summary Annexure Bibliography List of Tables Abstract Colors form an important ingredient in the architecture of an art. It is known fact that colors are kind of identity in modern world. Countries represent themselves with flag which have different colors representing their ideology, culture and history. White color is symbol of peace and black represents intensity. This intensity was seen during the period between World War I and II (1915-1945) and Great Depression. Art Deco Movement was introduced to the world by the collective effort of various artists and designers, who converged together to present the world with new vision of future. The experiment and avant-garde process of modern designing was organized in the form of an exhibition which was then called as Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes hosted in the City of Lights, Paris in the year 1925.1 Moreover, the Tutankamun Exhibition held in Paris in the year 1922 gave rise to cross fertilization2 of ideas between various sects of designers such as architects, artists, fashion designer, etc. The treasuries during his exhibit had large impact all over and the colors and design of the jewelries were bold and rich and launched a mania for Egyptian, Turkish and various other exotic styles of ornamentation. The art deco examples present modernistic and stylistic work, which was vastly recognized and which laid the foundation of transition of cultures and mindset. It is from this era that women started to occupy the men's apparel and spread the new style statement. This rapid shift of style during this era raises eyebrows as how the various forms of colors were identified and the avant-garde shift in designs of furniture, interior, textiles, clothing, architecture, etc. This paper presents the identification, importance and significance of colors used in Art Deco Expo through collection of data and views from various renowned artists and architects, fashion designers, models and consumers of specified area so that crystal clear views can be formed. The history of Art Deco goes back to 1912 when Louis Se founded the Atelier Francais in Paris and attempted to make modern style statement relating to French tradition. The manifesto for making of Art Deco style was presented by Louis Se associates, Andre Vera, which was later published in L'Art dicoratiff.3 It was mentioned in the manifesto that contrasts of rich and bold should be used for decoration. Paul Follot created a design using all the characteristics of Louis Se, which is considered to be as the first Art Deco work. (Campbell, 2006: 42) Art Deco shifted the importance from historic models to materials like chrome and aluminum, other metals, glass, colors which are intense like orange and olive green. This was viewed as modernistic and well appreciated which was compared to historic styles but were made to look as if they are 20th century architecture. The colors used in this period were mostly strong in nature, with black metallic and chrome being largely used. Other colors which came into fray during this period include stainless steel, black, dark green, brown, tinted blue, orange, strong tones of green and dark gray marbles and some natural tones of wood veneers. (Pile, 1997: 213)4 Hill (2007) states that aftermath of the Art Deco exhibition in 1925, Cubism, Fauvism and Futurism redefined the imagery and color in painting and sculpture. Ballets Russes designs set the tone for bold applications of vivid color and ethnic decorative motifs.5 The tastes and style of Art Deco was shared by the key and important players in art like youngsters of United States and Maharajahs of India and gentry of Old Europe.6 The works presented in the exhibition during the period include colors which were strong like olive green and metallic shades. The work by Tamara de Lempicka justifies this statement as the colors seen in most of his painting are intense and metallic. The shine which was the result of the metallic shades gave it much better and brighter look. In fact, the color schemes were used in all segments of art, be it architecture, furniture, clothing, painting, etc. With regard to construction of house and apartments, they architecture was totally different. It looked traditional as well as modern in the making. When looked at most of the house or apartments, the maximum color used was blue or pale yellow. The glass items were colored with see through purple and intense brown. The works from Art Deco Exhibition shows that the artists used colors as a medium to communicate. Art Deco became popular as Skyscraper Style for buildings which led to the construction of various buildings in most of the bid cities in the end of late 1920s. The works of the exhibition got recognized as public interest in the style was renewed and covered several distinct periods.7 The colors came in three significant colors: green, red and blue. To analyse the significance of the color in Art Deco, the works of Poiret's Textile Sample, Raymond Hood, architects Daily News Building, Paul Manship, and some others are used. The colors mostly used during this time were red, green, blue (RGB), CMYK, etc. which we see today in most of our computing technology. The significance of art deco movement can be seen in America which was better known as 'moderne' during 1930s. The American architectures like New York's Chrysler Building, Empire State Building and Radio City Music Hall which were completed between 1930 and 1932 hold the looks and designs of art deco movement. Hill (2007) states that Paul Nystrom acknowledged that Paris Expo had enormous influence not only in the fields of pure art, but also in the fields of production and style goods. According to Hill (2007), the term 'art deco' was not used by the designers till 1960. Textile patterns reinterpreted traditional designs of flora and fauna into hard edged, stylized representations. Americans used the variation of art deco in their works through geometric flat pattern and primary colors of Indian decorative motifs.8 The colors of art deco and its style were used in movies which laid emphasis on the homes of middle class Americans. The directors laid importance of having sets reflecting the latest architecture, color combination, style and interior decoration. In a typical American dwelling which represented the art deco style had colors like maroon, cream, mauve, tan and depression green.9 The art deco laid the foundation of modern society, thanks to the initiative of artists, who converged in the form of Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes at Paris in 1925. This expo led to great change in the society with colors shedding the light image and took over the bolder look. The intensity was the flavor of the season. Most of the architectural development at that time presents this image, as metallic and bolder colors were used to cover them. Fashion industry is changing day by day. The trendiest dress today may be the outdated product tomorrow. This phenomenon was developed due to the art deco movement which led to evolution of new colors. Moreover, artists started using more innovative methods and techniques in presenting their works. They did not restrict themselves to colors and used various stones and marbles to interpret their art. The movement has led to avant-garde change in the society. This can be assessed through various review and views from target groups and audiences like prominent artists, architects, fashion designers, models and consumers. Since the art deco expo was held at Paris, it is justified that the target groups would be considered from this region. And moreover, Paris is the home of fashion industry where styles are made and set, so no other place would be better to collect and assess the data from fashion designers and models. The qualitative methodology is used to collect, collate and compile the data from the various target groups. The primary data collection process includes a separate detailed questionnaire to the painters, architects, fashion designers and consumers. The target groups are selected on the basis of their understanding on the art deco and the significance of colors used during that period. The data is presented in tables representing the questionnaire that was presented to the target groups. The secondary data comprises of brief literature review in order to present a better picture on the significance of colors then and now, through the examples of Art Deco Expo. The Art Deco style swept off the European continent in 1925 like the great depression engulfed everything on its way. The colors of Art Dco samples present a cool, more metallic than the warm palettes of previous decades. Previously creams and beiges which were common were taken over by vibrant colors like orange, acid yellow, purple, green, lavender and black.10 Art Deco colors11 were often drawn from grey and metallic hues of streamlined chassis and other cold pastel tones with great deal of eclecticism. It is still overwhelming that the movement that started during 1925 showed no signs of narrowing down and going on despite many of concurrent popular trends in design. Art Deco has radicalized the growth and development of America with most of the construction been done with utmost superiority and keeping in mind the Art Deco Style and colors. Bibliography 1. Alastair Duncan, The Encyclopedia of Art Deco, 1998, Knickerbocker Press, University of Michigan 2. Art Deco - The Modern Style. http://artantiques.allinfo-about.com/weekly/features/artdeco.html 3. Art Deco (1910-1939) Museum Quality. http://www.huntfor.com/arthistory/C20th/artdeco.htm 4. Art deco and the Cincinnati Union Terminal: an exhibition organized by the Art History Dept., University of Cincinnati, in cooperation with the Contemporary Arts Center, January 11 to February 10, 1973, University of Cincinnati. Dept. of Art History, Contemporary Arts Center (Cincinnati, Ohio), University of Cincinnati, Contemporary Arts Center 5. Art Deco Style "A Brief Art Deco History" Inviting Home.com. http://www.invitinghome.com/art-deco/art-deco-style.htm 6. Art Deco Style for a touch of class "Art Deco Styles - Perfect for modern homes" http://www.ideas-for-home-decorating.com/art-deco-style.html Augustine Hope, Margaret Walch, The color compendium 1990, Van Nostrand Reinhold, University of Michigan 7. Cabarga, Leslie "The designer's guide to color combinations: 500+ historic and modern color formulas in CMYK" 1999, Adams Media. p. 31 8. Campbell, Gordon, "The Groove encyclopedia of decorative arts" 2006, Oxford University Press, p. 42 9. Cervin Robinson and Rosemarie Haag Bletter, Skyscraper style: art deco, New York, 1975, Oxford University Press, University of Michigan Charles Rahn Fry, Art Deco Interiors in Color, 1977, Dover Publications. 10. 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Valerie Steele, Encyclopedia of clothing and fashion, 2005, Thomson Gale, University of Michigan 28. What is Art Deco Miami Design Preservation League. http://www.mdpl.org/Art%20Deco/whatisartdeco.html 29. Young, William H., and Young, Nancy K. The 1930s, 2002,. Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 68-71 Read More