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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2009 8:54:57 GMT
You maybe have noticed that Streamline Moderne is the name of the default skin used here, as illustrated by the rounded yellow building that looks like a ship. The style is an offshoot of Art Deco and reached its apex in 1937. All sorts of things were designed in this style.... toasters  radios  trailers  automobiles  But of course the Streamline Moderne style is best seen and best remembered in architecture. A lot of it has been lost, but in most cities that had a building boom in the 1930's, there are usually quite a few examples of the style left. Two movies used the style for designing imaginary cities. Lost Horizon   The Wizard of Oz  |
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 5, 2009 17:05:53 GMT
Read more about the art deco design movement here: www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Art-Deco. Try googling the name of your city, state or province plus the words "streamline moderne" or "deco". It's amazing the number of architectural jewels you might uncover. |
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Post by spindrift on Feb 5, 2009 22:45:08 GMT
There's a lot of imitation stuff for sale in the shops in england at the moment. I can't say I'd like it in my home. I've always admired the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea, E. Sussex.  |
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Post by Jazz on Feb 6, 2009 5:36:33 GMT
Rene Lalique worked in this period. The Grand Salon of the S.S. Normandie was illuminated with twelve tall pillars of Lalique glass in Stream Moderne.  An antique matchbook cover...  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2009 7:48:09 GMT
My grandmother took the Normandie, but not quite in that class. The Louis Vuitton building on the Champs Elysées in Paris is a good example of the tail end of Streamline Moderne. I actually worked in this building for more than 10 years -- it's a shame it hadn't already been renovated then! It is currently considered to be the most expensive piece of real estate in the entire city, but it probably won't be for sale for many years. What is really interesting about the money that was put into the renovation is that the entire left side of the building (everything to the left of the left vertical column) was actually built around the year 2000. There was a completely different traditional 'Haussmannian' building there that was demolished so that the Vuitton flagship would fill the entire block.  |
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Post by spindrift on Feb 6, 2009 10:05:17 GMT
How I would have loved to have sailed and dined in the Grand Salon of S.S. Normandie.
At the same period one of my ex's family owned the Union Castle line and his mother used to sail from England to South Africa every year. They also owned the Mount Nelson hotel in Cape Town and a rather grand hotel in Marseilles.
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Post by BigIain on Feb 6, 2009 15:36:07 GMT
I adore Art deco so much that I live in an Art Deco building. I also love places such as the Metropole Hotel in Brussels and Le Grand cafe in Reims because of their interiors. I have always longed to visit Miami Beach for the sole purpose of seeing the Art Deco. my appt is just past halfway along www.geograph.org.uk/photo/272923And inside looking out the fantastic window feature, with friend having a smoke out the window  |
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Post by spindrift on Feb 6, 2009 20:49:20 GMT
Isn't there a building like that on the Great West Road? (near the M4)
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Post by BigIain on Feb 7, 2009 0:12:32 GMT
Yes, it is the Hoover Building which is now the world HQ for Tesco. It is on the A40 just before Hangar Lane as you head towards London. I always slow down as I go past it, it is much more beautiful than the Ovaltine.
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Post by BigIain on Feb 7, 2009 0:16:45 GMT
I am also reminded of the lobby of the Empire state and also the exterior of the truly beautiful Chrysler building in NYC. I will go googling for pics tomorrow.
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Post by Jazz on Feb 7, 2009 3:40:40 GMT
The Art Deco city...The tiny village of Napier, New Zealand was devastated by an earthquake in 1931.  It was rebuilt with 'cutting edge' architecture, Art Deco and Streamline Moderne. Each February, there is an Art Deco weekend. Tom Parker, who owned the men's outfitter's shop on Hastings Street, took a trip to England, bought this 'modern' illuminated fountain and gave it to the town.  Some beautiful examples,     and, the sound shell,  |
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 7, 2009 4:14:37 GMT
That is totally fascinating! What is that beautiful complex between the pics of Rothman's and the sound shell?
What is the story behind the town being built in a coherent style?
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Post by BigIain on Feb 7, 2009 9:05:03 GMT
 The Hoover building in West London |
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Post by Jazz on Feb 8, 2009 12:55:27 GMT
Bixa, the beautiful complex (above the sound shell) is the Municipal Theatre, Tennyson St. Although the restoration of Napier was predominantly Art Deco, there are also beautiful examples of Spanish Mission, Maori motifs and the Chicago School, especially Frank Lloyd Wright. I couldn't find much written about why Napier was rebuilt in such a cohesive style, but this is an explanation: " Art Deco was fashionable. With its past destroyed Napier looked ahead and chose a style associated with Manhattan and modernism. Art Deco was safe. With its emphasis on low relief decoration, Art Deco forsook the elaborate applied ornament that had fallen from the buildings in the earthquake and caused so many deaths and injuries. (very pragmatic!) Art Deco was cheap. Its relief stucco was an economical way to beautify buildings during the lowpoint of the Great Depression.", from the Art Deco Trust. "Napier represents the most complete and significent group of Art Deco buildings in the world, and is comparable with Bath as an example of a planned townscape in a complete style.", Dr. Neil Cassons. some details,  Waiapu Cathedral,  and a window,  |
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Post by Jazz on Feb 8, 2009 13:27:09 GMT
You maybe have noticed that Streamline Moderne is the name of the default skin used here, as illustrated by the rounded yellow building that looks like a ship. The style is an offshoot of Art Deco and reached its apex in 1937. ty.jpg [/IMG][/center][/quote] Could this have been the 'model' for our Streamline Moderne default skin?...Bather's Building, now a maritime museum at San Francisco's aquatic park. This notable example of Streamline Moderne was built in 1937.   My default skin will always be a boat to me. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2009 15:31:32 GMT
Three weeks ago, I took some new pictures of the Chrysler Building in New York. While we are all familiar with the spire and the rounded upper section, I had never really paid attention to the creepy decorations before. |
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Post by Jazz on Feb 8, 2009 16:09:59 GMT
Great shots, Kerouac! Especially the close up of the detail. I'm trying to figure out where you were when you got the shot, there doesn't seem to be an observation deck, or was it long lens? I don't think it's creepy!  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2009 16:17:31 GMT
I was down on the sidewalk with my zoom lens.
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 8, 2009 18:13:18 GMT
I was down on the sidewalk with my zoom lens. Don't believe him -- he was up there with his bat cape fluttering behind him. Also, I told him not to tell that our "wheelhouse" was really a building. It feels really boaty to me, too. Napier is simply one of the most interesting concepts and executions that I can imagine. The photos are endlessly fascinating. The city of New Orleans has a great deal of WPA (Works Progress Administration) and other Art Deco examples. City Park has many sculptures by Enrique Alferez:  and others. I couldn't find an image online of the fabulous concrete benches in City Park, N.O., some of which are simple art deco forms, and others cleverly ornamented with grasshoppers and other surprises on the base -- all executed in concrete. Perhaps Casimira and her new camera will take a trip to City Park for us. In the 70s, I knew and modeled for Miss Angela Gregory ( www.lib.lsu.edu/soc/women/lawomen/gregory.html). She had fascinating stories of a exiting time in art history. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2009 20:56:20 GMT
I will be thrilled to be on assignment. I had thought of Alferez' work earlier on in the thread after some of those Parisian tombs K posted.
Re: the Chrysler Bldg., I think K. may really be the Man on a Wire.
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 12, 2009 22:57:10 GMT
I was the model for Miss Gregory's statue of the Blessed Virgin in the Dominican College chapel (now part of Loyola U.) in New Orleans. Type casting?
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Aussielover
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Yo ho! Yo ho! A pirate's life for me.
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Post by Aussielover on Feb 17, 2009 8:42:25 GMT
I love Art Deco, as well. You probably would not be surprised to know that Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern go very well together, indeed!
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Post by BigIain on Sept 13, 2009 20:29:58 GMT
 noticed this beautifully ugly building in Edinburgh during last week |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2010 3:01:48 GMT
Coming soon,Miami Beach...  |
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Post by bixaorellana on Jan 27, 2010 4:21:41 GMT
HEY ~~ that's OUR building!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2010 6:08:33 GMT
Yes indeedy!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2010 10:30:10 GMT
Miami Beach(South Beach) is renowned for its Streamline Moderne architecture. Upon a recent trip there I was delighted to have seen so much of it.
The home of my dear friend is smack in the middle of the Art Deco District as it is known there, and her apartment is of 1940's vintage as well.
There is an Art Deco museum there,which I did not visit,as it was thronged with visitors(this is the high season in Miami Beach for obvious reasons)and also, because I know after this trip, I will return many times because of it's proximity to NOLA and most especially,it was a grand time.
So,the bulk of these photos,are by no means exhaustive of the architectural gems to be seen, but,are a good representation of what's in store should one go there for a visit.
Some of the photos buildings photographed are in residential blocks, while others are along the commercial corridors,primarily,Ocean Drive,which directly faces the Atlantic Ocean.
The first picture in the previous post is the building representing our Port.I did not know this before my trip,so,imagine my surprise and delight upon seeing it while cruising on my bicycle my last day there.I thought it especially poignant as we approach our one year anniversary of the Port in just a few days.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2010 10:37:07 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2010 10:44:54 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2010 10:56:27 GMT
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