Unveiling the Darker Side of Art Deco
The Art Deco movement, which emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, is often associated with glamour and luxury, as seen in iconic landmarks like New York's Chrysler Building.
However, beneath its bold and glamorous facade, Art Deco's inspiration is rooted in a questionable patchwork of influences from antiquity, including Tutankhamun's tomb and Aztec temples.
As a style, Art Deco is often linked to the opulence of The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald, but it was never a unified style, instead encompassing a range of architectural and design elements.
It evokes images of glittering skyscrapers trimmed with chrome, cinemas fronted by ziggurat steps and mansion parties
Despite its glamorous connotations, the Art Deco movement has a more complex and nuanced history than initially meets the eye.
Author's summary: Art Deco's glamorous facade hides a complex history.