Art Deco: A personal journey through its history, style and legacy

Hey, what's up! I'm Carlos Hidalgo, and today I want to tell you about an old passion that has been with me since I can remember: Art Deco. Yes, that artistic style that you may have seen in the great skyscrapers of New York, in antique jewelry or even in luxury furniture. And don't think I'm going to give you a boring lecture... no sir. Here we are going to talk about Art Deco from a personal experience. Because I'll tell you something: throughout my life, this style has accompanied me in ways I would never have imagined.

What is Art Deco?

Art Deco is a style that first appeared in France during the 1910s, but shot to stardom in the 1920s and 30s. It's a type of design that you can recognize a mile away by its geometric shapes, clean lines and a certain taste for modernity. In short, it is that sophisticated and elegant touch that symbolizes the opulence of an era.

To put you a little more in context, I tell you that this style was shown to the world at the famous International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris in 1925, hence the name "Art Deco" (yes, very chic the matter). From then on, it didn't stop until it reached New York, London, and even Buenos Aires. In short, it became a global movement.

My first encounter with Art Deco

I'll be honest, I didn't always know this was "Art Deco". My first experience was as a child, when I was visiting my grandparents in Buenos Aires. They lived in an incredible building, one of those with monumental entrances, hanging chandeliers and steel railings that looked like something out of another planet. I felt like I was entering a modern palace, but without the dust and old paintings. Everything was bright, futuristic, and at the same time classic. It was only years later, while studying architecture, that I understood that that building was a very clear example of Art Deco.

Features of Art Deco

Now, to go into detail, if you want to identify an Art Deco work like an expert, you should be aware of several clues that will make you sound like a total connoisseur:

• Geometry in its purest form: Art Deco loves geometric shapes: triangles, circles and straight lines. Symmetry is essential, because it's all about creating a sense of order and modernity,
• Bold colors: Black, white, gold, silver, and a vibrant palette that denotes luxury and glamour. If you see a building or a piece of décor with these bold colors, boom! You're looking at an Art Deco gem.
• Exotic and luxurious materials: Marble, glass, chrome and exotic wood were used in abundance in furniture, interiors and architecture. It was a clear demonstration of wealth and sophistication.
• Influence of ancient cultures: Art Deco not only draws from modernity, but also incorporates details from ancient civilizations such as Egyptian, Maya and Chinese. These styles are reflected in the decorative patterns, sculptures and architectural details.
• Verticality and extravagance: Have you seen the Chrysler Building in New York? That marvel that seems to reach for the sky is the perfect example of how Art Deco took verticality and ornate detailing to levels never seen before. The lines that lead the eye upward, the gilded details, it all screams luxury!.

The influence of Art Deco on my career

When I started working as an architect, Art Deco was always kind of a muse. From small details like the geometric moldings to the choice of materials, I would always find a way to pay homage to this style. New York was my biggest inspiration. Every time I walked down 5th Avenue, I couldn't help but feel that those huge buildings, like the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center, were monuments to another era, one that believed in technology, luxury and the future.

One of the most interesting projects I worked on was the restoration of an old Art Deco movie theater. It had been abandoned for years, but it had that something special about it. Upon entering, I found walls covered with geometric patterns and a lobby that still had its black and white marble floor. We refurbished it respecting every detail, from the opaline glass chandeliers to the mosaics reminiscent of the pyramids of Egypt. It was a rebirth, both for the building and for me.

The legacy of Art Deco today

Although the boom of Art Deco was between the 1920s and 1940s, its influence lives on. Many current designers take up these concepts to give a retro feel to their works, but always with that modern touch that characterizes the style. In cities like Miami and Los Angeles, you can stroll through entire districts filled with Art Deco buildings, and in New York, even though glass skyscrapers are now rising, the Art Deco giants still command respect.

I assure you that once you get used to seeing the straight lines, geometric patterns and vibrant colors of Art Deco, you can't help but notice them. It's as if you become part of a secret brotherhood that sees the world differently.

Final thought: why should you love Art Deco?

Art Deco isn't just a design style or a fad. It's a statement. It is the result of a time when people believed in the power of progress and aesthetics. Every Art Deco building, piece of furniture or jewelry tells us a story of an era when beauty and functionality could coexist exquisitely. So the next time you see an Art Deco work, whether it's a building or a lamp in a vintage store, stop for a moment and admire the work behind it. Because you're not just looking at design, you're looking at a piece of history.

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