Art Nouveau – was sensual/erotic style inspired by organic forms with fluid lines. There were clear influences from the European colonial acquisitions which varied depending on the national experience e.g. Chinese, Indian & Japanese stylisation and depiction of nature while Islamic cultures continued to influence with geometric design. All of this was in sharp contrast to Victorian design which reflected that age – moralistic, realistic, rigid, looking to the past e.g. Gothic or purity of craft influences.
As Art Nouveau spread across Europe the distinct national styles reflected increased patriotism in established countries and Empires or a sense of nationhood e.g. newly unified Germany & Italy or of those still partitioned like Poland. Other countries were seeking to distance themselves from former rulers e.g. Finland from Russia.
In Russia traditional crafts, like those explored at Abramtsevo (see featured image), fueled a form of Art Nouveau (stil modern) which was highly romantic and symbolic. The idea of the purity of Mother Russia uninfected by Westernisation was prevalent. Highly coloured reflecting traditional peasant styles with wood as the main material.
In Scotland, ‘The Glasgow Four’ looked to nature as well as Celtic design, myths and poetry e.g. Margaret MacDonald MacKintosh’s ‘Oh ye, all ye that walk in Willowwood’ (1903).
Such geographic variations are most visible in comparing the metro designs in Vienna and Paris. In both cities the designs include organic forms and motifs in metal and glass. In Vienna, Wagner’s design is angular and symmetrical while in Paris, Guimard utilises highly stylised forms which appear to have been grown rather than fabricated.
Art Deco –Â This was the age of speed both in transport and communications. Art Deco’s main influences included geometry especially that found in nature which represented a departure from the stylised organic forms of Art Nouveau. Art Deco included a greater use of abstraction and projecting a sense of the industrial process and materials. It also linked the classical styles of Greece, use of columns and marble, with that of ancient Egypt and the lotus flower (part of the mania following the discovery of Tutankhamen’s Tomb).
This style influenced art, architecture, furniture, cars, decorative objects etc, etc e.g. Lalique’s ‘Spirit of the Wind’ (1925) reference classical statues, e.g.’ Victory of Samothrace’, and was also used as a car hood ornament.
It is an international style which projects power and modernity; reflecting a time of increasing national tensions coupled with increased militarism following the carve up of Europe in the aftermath of the Versailles treaties.
In the USSR Stalin’s metro stations were his pride and joy. Although the subject matter included the peoples of the Union; pastimes; depiction of the heroes of the Revolution all rendered in a distinctive Art Deco style e.g. Elektrozavodskaya station glorifies the light bulb and uses this as its main motif with 318 ceiling lamps.
The high temple of Art Deco is the Chrysler Building (1928), its sleek lines, reflective materials all reference the car industry; the profits of which built it. The upper steeple references both the lotus flower and classical architecture with the gargoyles which were modeled on Chrysler hood ornaments.
Architecture- Gaudi & Le Corbusier:
Gaudi, Casa BatllĂł
Le Corbusier, Villa Savoye
Batllo and Villa Savoye were designed as private residences representative of the prevailing international styles. Both sought to depart from architectural Orthodoxy and utilised geometric principles: Gaudi the âGolden Ratio in Natureâ while Le Corbusierâs geometry was âcoolly cubistâ.
Renovated by Gaudi (1904-06), Batllo is an urban townhouse of organic, fluid, fantastical forms. The balconies are mask like, perhaps influenced by the interest in âprimitiveâ/African Art. The roof defies traditional building forms including a Cross, waves, scales, the Montserrat geology etc.
These symbols reflect both Gaudiâs Catalan roots and Catalonian Nationalism e.g. scales reference dragons and thus St George the patron saint of Barcelona. Moderissme style looked to Gesamtkunstwerk, therefore, the interiors are fully integrated with the architecture, furniture and function. The practical design includes a rotating window system to provide invaluable ventilation. The materials are an eclectic mix of the traditional: ceramic, glass, stone, wrought iron, wood and plaster all handled by highly-skilled craftsmen.
Villa Savoye (1929) was a new build where Le Corbusier seems to have lost sight of both the functionality required of a domestic dwelling and the costs leading to his design being compromised. Although set in the countryside the design occupies the space on itâs own terms. Lloyd-Wright stated that â….with vast vanity trying to rise superior to it [ground] regardless of natureâ.
The Modernist design with straight, clean lines reinterprets Greek classical design for the age of the car. Le Corbusierâs âMachine for Livingâ sought a standardise design system and thus the materials included steel, glass, reinforced concrete without the need for craftsmen. These materials did not serve the building which became infamous for leaks.