Art Deco Chicago: Designing Modern America – A Reflection of Modernism and Style

The Birth of American Art Deco in Chicago

Art Deco, a term that evokes the glamour, luxury, and bold geometric forms of the early 20th century, found a unique expression in Chicago, shaping its architectural skyline and influencing its graphic and product design. “Art Deco Chicago: Designing Modern America” is not merely a book; it’s an expansive journey into the heart of American Art Deco, showcasing Chicago’s significant contribution to the movement. This large-format volume, richly illustrated with 325 images, delves into the architecture, graphic design, and product design that defined middle-class style in the twentieth century.

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Chicago’s Legacy in Shaping Art Deco

The book narrates the evolution of Art Deco through 101 key works, thoughtfully curated and chronologically organized. These works tell the story of not just a style but a collection of sensibilities that extended to architecture, advertising, household objects, clothing, and even food design. From Frank Lloyd Wright’s lost Midway Gardens and the iconic Sunbeam Mixmaster to Marshall Field’s famed window displays, each represents the diverse manifestations of Art Deco style that developed in Chicago in the first half of the 20th century.

A Comprehensive Overview Through Critical Essays

“Art Deco Chicago” offers fresh perspectives through critical essays from leading figures in the field, discussing how Art Deco created an entire visual universe for the American middle class. Interpreting Art Deco broadly, the book contrasts this style with the more functionalist modernism of the Bauhaus, Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe, often associated with the Paris Exposition of 1925. It provides an essential overview of both this influential style and the metropolis that embodied it.

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A Treasure for Scholars and Design Enthusiasts Alike

Beyond its appeal as a visually stunning publication, “Art Deco Chicago” is a valuable scholarly resource. The catalogue of a 2018-19 exhibition at the Chicago History Museum, it examines in detail the architecture, product design, and graphic design created in Chicago and its suburbs between the World Wars. The volume includes substantial essays on the buildings and objects deemed significant representations of the architecture and design of these interwar years, making it an impressive publication for both scholars and design enthusiasts.

Encouraging Further Exploration

This book is more than just a historical overview; it invites readers to explore the rich tapestry of design that Art Deco weaves into our cultural fabric. As you turn each page, consider how the principles of balance, contrast, emphasis, and unity are reflected in the works showcased. How does the Art Deco movement continue to influence modern design today?

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Sources

Dalati, S. (2019). Art Deco Chicago: Designing Modern America. Magazine Antiques, 186(1), 90.

Stillman, D. (2019). Art deco chicago: Designing modern america. Choice, 56(7), 865. 

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