American Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern Designs Essay

Introduction

The sphere of architecture and design has always had various movements and styles popular during different periods. The three period designs that will be discussed in this essay are American Art Deco, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Mid-century Modern, which were particularly in demand in the twentieth century. These styles had a tremendous impact on modern American and global architecture and design, penetrating many aspects of contemporary life.

American Art Deco

Art Deco was a popular design and architecture movement worldwide, and it acquired new distinct features when it started to spread in America. This style was initially presented at an exhibition in Paris in 1925, where more than 15,000 artists presented their works produced using this design (Art Deco). It later gained popularity globally in in the 1930s and 1940s (Art Deco). Art Deco, which was the shortened version for arts décoratifs, was characterized by symmetry, angularity, and vivid colors (Art Deco). It was able to influence all areas of human existence, from buildings and trains to furniture and jewelry. Artists started developing this style at the end of the nineteenth century when many realized that architecture and design of that time became outdated and not visually pleasing. The two prominent artists and architects who played a significant role in generating the Art Deco movement were Eugene Grasset and Hector Grimard, who received immense support from the French government (Art Deco). Art Deco incorporated the elements of cubism and fauvism, making the final products, constructed using this style, look luxurious and modern.

Art Deco became so widespread and in demand because even though it made buildings and things appear deluxe, it utilized relatively inexpensive materials. Art Deco was not costly; hence, it has long been perceived as the “Cinderella” among many designers (Art Deco). Still, this approach allowed all classes to have access to seemingly opulent products and enjoy modern buildings in their neighborhoods (Art Deco). The implementation of lines indicated progress, balance, and speed of development of the contemporary culture. It was criticized by more traditional and conservative artists, but most viewed this style as a new opportunity for expression. Therefore, this style continues to be present in the decoration and design of buildings, interiors, transportation, and accessories.

When this style was initially introduced in the United States, it not only became favored by American architects, who developed additional features for it. In the 1920s, the U.S. did not want to engage in international exhibitions like the one held in Paris in 1925 because it wanted its architects to make Art Deco uniquely American (Art Deco). Indeed, its uniqueness was especially noticeable in newly constructed skyscrapers, becoming the symbol of the growing power of the American nation during the two world wars (Art Deco). This style allowed politicians to channel stability and growth through such constructions as the Empire State Building, Golden Gate Bridge, Chrysler Building, and Rockefeller Center (Art Deco). American Art Deco highlighted technological advancement in the U.S. as well as the distinctive trait of the American nation of finding beauty and positivity in the routine.

Frank Lloyd Wright

An American designer and architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, made a substantial contribution to the advancement of the architecture of the twentieth century. Wright developed so-called “organic architecture,” which was known to incorporate natural settings, newly invented materials, and blurred design (The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright). Furthermore, this style included spatial manipulations and geometric abstractions, resembling elements of nature. It started to spread globally during the first half of the past century not only due to its beautiful style but also because of the fact that Wright’s buildings were comfortable for living.

Since this style was inspired by various cultures and design movements, it quickly gained popularity worldwide. In fact, Wright’s approach was acclaimed by the public; thus, many buildings constructed using this design have remained nearly unchanged since the past century (The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright). His works were recognized as a national treasure since they represented the authentic views and desires of Americans who wanted to connect with nature through art.

For the U.S. government, buildings designed by Wright represented an opportunity to demonstrate Americans’ substantial influence and contribution to global architecture. Hence, all constructions are legally protected, and their management is done by the Frank Lloyd Wright World Heritage Council (The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright). The Council strives to preserve the original design and materials utilized for Wright’s works to maintain the spirit and emotions the architect experienced when generating these art pieces.

Mid-Century Modern

The Mid-century Modern design remains popular due to its sole combination of organic materials, clear lines, and retro style. It became popular in the 1950s-1980s, particularly among German designers who immigrated to the United States after World War II (What are the Common Features of Mid-Century Modern Design?). In fact, perfect geometry and minimal style seem to be borrowed from the disciplined and conservative German culture. Designers mainly worked on making furniture for office buildings, where various amenities were in demand due to the increasing number of clerks. The primary materials utilized for Mid-century Modern products were teakwood, rosewood, and oak since these trees were durable and easy to manipulate. To give the furniture a modern look, designers used glass, plastic, vinyl, metal, and even marble for decoration (What are the Common Features of Mid-Century Modern Design?). Notably, this style combined seemingly incompatible features like strict lines and smooth curves as well as versatile colors and minimalism.

Contemporary society became interested in Mid-century Modern design not only for its appearance but also due to the fact that furniture was light for transportation and comfortable in daily life. The elevated amenities made using mid-century modern design allowed to visually increase the light and space in small apartments (Epifano). Additionally, it could be easily combined with other styles (Epifano). Thus, it became trendy among the working middle class living in metropolitan areas.

Although black and white Americans lived in Modernist homes and apartments, this design was frequently utilized by the media and the government to promote racial segregation at that time. Since the latter was legal before the Civil Rights Act, newspapers often used the Mid-century Modern style to represent white families’ harmonious lives (Wilson 3). Only affluent black families, who were equivalent to white middle-income people, could afford to live in such houses, showing that this design was employed as a silent segregator in terms of race and wealth (Wilson 5). It appears that Mid-century Modern designers unintentionally built houses that symbolized the whiteness and discrimination of that period.

Conclusion

In summary, three unique designs were popular in the United States in the past century: Art Deco, Mid-century Modern, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s style. They possess common features of clear lines, diverse colors, and a wide range of materials used. However, the three had a diverse impact on American society. Art Deco popularized progress and technological advancement, Wright’s style inspired people to connect with nature, and Mid-century Modern was used by the media for the propaganda of racial segregation during the time when it was legislatively supported.

Works Cited

“Art Deco – A Summary of the Art Deco Era.”Art in Context, 2022, Web.

Epifano, Melissa. “The 6 Commandments of Mid-Century Modern Design.”Insider, Web.

“The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright.”UNESCO, Web.

“What are the Common Features of Mid-Century Modern Design?” CAD Evangelist, Web.

Wilson, Kristina. Mid-Century Modernism and the American Body: Race, Gender, and the Politics of Power in Design. Princeton University Press, 2021.