Art Deco is a style of visual arts, architecture and design, a movement in decorative arts and architecture. It was a movement that carved its niche among varied decorative arts and architecture after its successful outcome at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes (International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts), held in Paris in 1925. The name ‘Art Deco’ itself is a derivative from the first syllables of the French word Arts Décoratifs, which began to be used much later than the inception of the movement. Art Deco is a hypernym that entails with it wide range of decorative arts- jewelry, furniture, fashion, architecture etc.
Judith Miller, in her book- Art Deco Collector’s Guide narrates, “lines of skyscrapers sum up what Art Deco means- streamlined, elegant, first glimpse of modern look that would define 20th Century.” It was a movement to break free from the prolonged Victorian Age and establish never seen before art forms. This led to incorporation of sleek symmetrical designs in contrast to gaudy and pretentious overlays of history. Miller goes on to talk about the influence of Mayan and Aztec cultures that defined the iconography of the period. A new approach to graphic layout and typefaces was the most apparent innovation during the movement. The use of geometric stylization was apparent in all forms, from jewelry to architecture.
By the 1930’s, Art Deco found its place throughout the continents either through trade routes or through extensive explorations and colonization. Architecture inspired by this movement is most evident and far reaching that transformed the predictable conservative lives with burst of energy and innovation. According to Patricia Bayer, “Art Deco did not emerge out of thin air or as a deliberate reaction to another style, rather it evolved quietly.” Many architects took inspiration from the predecessors of Art Deco and imbued them with modern expressions. For example, the straight angular lines were widely used in the Modern movement and the period of Rationalism, while the decorative motifs were inspired from Dutch Expressionism and Neo-classism. The buildings now became sleek and sophisticated shedding away the bulky gothic look.
Art Deco has been widely considered as a transitional chapter between the traditional and the more modern. It focuses on the less whimsical and more sensible elements of symmetry and sharp angles along with geometric decorative motifs. Across the globe, the basic elements of the style have remained the same. The combined use of modern day steel and aluminum along with traditional stucco, terracotta and plaster is evident in most structures. These buildings are adorned with decorative glass, ornate geometric detailing with chevrons and zigzag styling. Along with the bright tacky colors, stark colors are fused to give a contrasting effect. The exterior of the building mostly display geometric yet decorative windows, staircases along with angular facades and parapets. Often, tower like structures were added to the corners of the building to give a sophisticated and aesthetic appeal to the otherwise square building. Excellent examples of this style of architecture are the Chrysler Building, Empire State building in New York, The Delano in Miami, Palais de Chaillot in Paris, Ram Mahal, Churchgate in Mumbai amongst many more.
As the movement picked its pace in USA and across Europe, in Asia, especially in India, it arrived with the British East India Company a few decades later. With widespread colonial baroque and gothic style of architecture, there were many takers, both international and local architects, who sought after this new style. Consequent construction of sleek modernized traditional buildings led to a new term – Indo Deco or Desi Deco.
Miami, USA has been popular for housing most number of buildings following this pattern of architecture on its frolic yet serene beaches. Mumbai comes next as a consortium to host the style. The Oval Maiden District alone hosts approximately 94 buildings that were erected during the Art Deco phase of Mumbai. UNESCO acknowledged the diversity of architecture present in the city- both Victorian and Art Deco, and while much emphasis was showered upon the Victorian structures; they accorded the Oval Maiden District with World Heritage distinction. Interestingly, construction of Regal Cinema in 1934 by Charles Fredric Steven set off the phase, it was later that the Sekseria Residence Building marked the beginning of Indo Deco with banding details, curvilinear balconies and more sustainable materials for construction and decoration. The Indian architects contributed to the style by integrating two specific elements- the introduction of tropical imagery like palms and elephants and more functional elements like systematically aligned windows for cross ventilation. GB Mahatre and Sohrabji Bedwar are two of the many acclaimed architects, who actively adopted this style of architecture to bring modernity to the Victorian city of Mumbai.
While the authorities and people acknowledged Mumbai’s Oval Maiden District and Art Deco, the architecture is somewhere lost in the cities of Kolkata and Delhi, both having their own crisis. People of South Kolkata are so intimately attached with these structures that they fail to distinguish its distinctiveness. Victoria House now rechristened, as headquarters of Calcutta Electric Supply Corporations was the earliest to be built in the 1930s. The spotlight was however on the Metro Cinema hall along with its acquaintances New Empire Cinema, Roxy Cinema and the adjoining structures. The grand ornamented staircases and waterfall-style columns appealed to the masses. As people moved out from former courtyard of their houses in north towards the personal space in the south, the locals started demanding Metro Style Badi. Once a crazed residence, the houses now lie in a dilapidated condition with few takers to protect them. Delhi, yet another city bustling with architecture of different eras is losing its connect with Art Deco structures housed within. These houses and commercial complexes have gotten lost in the streets of Daryaganj, Karol Bagh, Patel Nagar, Nizamuddin and in parts of Old Delhi. Apart from a few handful- Imperial Hotel, UPSC Building, Delite Theaters, Golcha, Liberty Cinema etc. are recognized centers of Art Deco. The rest, unfortunately are being regarded as old creaky structures that need to be demolished.
These simplistic looking residences and complexes with symmetrical windows and geometric styling are monumental in understanding decoration of cubism in architecture. Preceded by Art Nouveau style of architecture and followed by Modernism, Art Deco was a symmetric amalgamation of artistic thoughts that cultivated the idea of sophistication in architecture. To have been born in Paris, the idea oozed of refinement and beauty. The impact of Art Deco was such that even after its decline after the Second World War, it was revamped and became a source of inspiration in decorative art, fashion and jewelry design even in the 21st Century.