My field of research for DSDN171 – Blog 2 is Art Deco; it is a style of design that originated in Paris in the 1920s and quickly spread internationally through the 1930s.

1. A book with single author

 This book explores the beginnings of the Art Deco movement from France where it made its first public appearance in 1925 at the Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Induestriels Modernes to the rest of the world by the 1930s. It also discusses whether Art Deco was a “backlash” or an offshoot of the previous Art Nouveau, furthermore other influences which helped shape the movement from “Egypt to the imagined future...”.
 This book documents Art Deco design in many different things from decorations to furniture and therefore it is useful for my research.

Duncan, A. (2009). Art Deco Complete: the Definitive Guide to the Decorative Arts of the 1920s and 1930s. London: Thames & Hudson.

2. A scholarly journal article

 This article discusses how there was a lot of Egyptian influence in France during the 1920s and how this has influenced the Art Deco movement. It mentions how Egyptian influenced fashion and the discovery of Tutankhamen played a role in shaping Art Deco. It also goes on to discuss how the idea of luxury and decadence of Ancient Egypt was carried through into Art Deco.

Elliot, B. (2008). Art Deco Worlds in a Tomb: Reanimating Egypt in Modern(ist) Visual Culture. South Central Review, suppl. Special Issue: Staging Modernism, 25(1), 114-135,176. Baltimore, MD, USA: John Hopkins University Press. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/226841368

3. An edited book

Napier was struck by an earthquake in 1931, during the global rise in popularity of the Art Deco movement. Naturally when reconstruction began, Art Deco was the style of choice for its architecture. This book and also the city itself is an example of how the movement spread globally.

Galloway, A., McGregor, R. (Ed). (1996). Art Deco Napier: a Design Guide. Napier, New Zealand: Napier City Council.

4. A website

This website explains both what Art Deco and Art Nouveau are and what differentiates the two. It breaks down the principles of each movement and puts it into laymen’s terms calling Art Nouveau “flowery” and Art Deco “streamlined”. Though it is not a detailed insight into both movements it allows the reader to quickly and easily grasp the fundamentals of each. Thus it is helpful in my research.

Art Deco vs. Art Nouveau. (n.d.). [Website]. Retrieved from http://www.mentalfloss.com/difference/art-deco-vs-art-nouveau/

.5. A picture

The Chrysler building is arguably one of the most iconic pieces of the Art Deco movement. Its architecture incorporates a crown which has a radiating “sunburst” arrangement of triangular windows; this kind of ornamentation is quintessential to the movement. Furthermore the crown is made from a stainless steel alloy which was very reflective and advanced for the time; the Art Deco movement embraced the use of modern materials. Therefore, this image is very relevant for my research.

Highsmith, C.M. (2007). Chrysler Building Detail, New York, New York [image]. Retrieved from: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2010630430/