Popular Culture Review Vol. 4, No. 1, January 1993 | Page 95

Postmodern Moods of Art Deco

93

Postmodernism, perhaps in a more intellectualized manner than
Art Deco, also proffered a marriage between the classical past, and
the anticipated future, and romances today’s high technology to the
fullest extent by creating intelligent buildings. The neon, glass block,
metal pipe railings, pastel tropical colors, and concrete forms are also
integral parts of the design vocabulary of Postmodern designers; all
hallmarks of Art Deco that now seem remarkably contem|X)rary in
spirit. Clearly, the parallels between Art Deco and Postmodernism
both philosophically and aesthetically are more empirical than
theoretical. TTierefore, the moods of Art Deco in Postmodern works
seem more sensory and intellectual than academic.
It is premature to look for conclusive and definitive historical
assessments concerning contemporary developments in the designed
environment as a whole. Analytical observations by scholars,
however, do confirm the presence of a strong and pervasive Art Deco
mood in current works that enhance the experiencing of Postmodern
design, as it responds and relates to shifts in directions of cultural
trends.^® These Art Deco moods are a natural development in today's
cultural milieu. They serve an interpretative function concerning
society's ability and desire to create environments that are expressive
of its epoch, yet stated within a design syntax that does not exclude
the artistically less literate. But whatever reasons one may find for
their allusive presence, what is most important is that they continue
to increase and stimulate one's ability to unlock an artifact's,
interior's, or a building’s capacity to be culturally referential on all
social and intellectual levels by simply indulging the senses and
imagination.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Attila Lawrence

Notes
1. Wilson, Andrew. 'The Demolition Marks Ultimate Failure of Pruitt-Igoe
Project." Washington Post. August 27,1973, pg. 3.
2. Jencks, Charles. "Post-Modem Classicism." Architectural Design. MayJune, 1980.
3. Brunhammer, Yvonne. The Art Deco Style. London: Academy Editions,
1983.
4. Greer, Nora. "Deco." Architecture. December, 1983.