About Art Deco

The Art Deco design movement (1925 to 1939) an elegant, functional and modern design style celebrated a time of innovation, decoration and decadence. Deco design is characterized by the use of mathematical geometric shapes, symmetry and repetition, with the use of machine technology including materials such as glass, aluminium and stainless steel. Deco influences are found in architecture, interior design, industrial design, graphic art, painting, film and fashion. Add some deco dynamism to your world.

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The Art Deco 2008 Regional Festival will celebrate and showcase Victoria’s rich Art Deco history through exhibition, tours, activities, lectures and more from August 30 to September 28.

Defined as the period encompassing the two World Wars (1914 – 1918 and 1939 – 1945), Art Deco embraced simplicity and elegance as compared to the excessively decorated styles of previous years.

The explosion of colour, exotic influences, new technologies, the use of lines and curves, stylization in artwork and printing are key indicators of the Art Deco style. It was the age of the flapper girl, Hollywood and the luxury ocean liner, and it revolutionized design in all aspects of life and art.

From fashion and architecture to household appliances and furniture, regional Victoria has significant streetscapes and collections from the Art Deco period. Highlights of these treasures featured during the Festival include a bus tour of Maryborough’s Art Deco buildings and houses (Art Deco Revisited, 30/08), an exhibition of vintage and classic cars and bikes in Maffra (The Art Deco Bloke and His Shed, 31/08), an exhibition of clothing, photographs, posters and equipment used in the High Country during the Art Deco period (Art Deco in Benalla, 31/08-02/11) and an online or self-drive tour of more than 20 Art Deco style private and public 1920 – 1940’s properties on the Mornington Peninsula (Peninsula Art Deco Tour, 27/09).

Victorian Minister for the Arts, Lynne Kosky said the Festival offered an important opportunity for the people of Victoria to become more familiar with one of the 20th century’s great artistic periods in their own environment: “Communities throughout regional Victoria hold wonderful examples of the Art Deco style, and the Victorian Government is proud to support this festival. I encourage you to take this opportunity to discover some of Victoria’s Deco delights and hidden treasures.”

The month long Regional Festival coincides with this year’s Melbourne Winter Masterpieces blockbuster at the National Gallery of Victoria, featuring more than 300 Art Deco treasures from around the world. Organised by London’s famed Victoria and Albert Museum, Art Deco 1910-1939 will run at the NGV until 5 October.

The Regional Art Deco Festival is a joint project of Museums Australia (Victoria) and the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, supported by the State Government.

Extensive write up on Marjorie Stedeford