Art deco and Surrealism

The art movement named art deco grew in popularity in the 1920s and according to Breeze, it became known for its superior graphic and architecture design. The Chrysler Building located in New York City epitomizes the movement with its beautiful construction. The art deco movement also included interior architecture, which modernized elevators at that time.

There are many art deco influences in the later contemporary design movements.

In the 1930s the Great Depression brought many governmental programs for graphic artists to gain work as well as showcase it. Painters as well as other artists would produce murals and publications in order to rally the public.

Around the same time, the Surrealist movement was brought into the forefront that consisted of a more sensational art deco style that was used for posters and other government-supported work from the Depression.

The term surrealism derives from the French prefix “sur” meaning higher, then adding the pre-existing art movement of realism. Salvador Dali is my favorite from this movement, where his style of surrealism along with many other artists, presented everyday objects in an out of context setting, almost out of this world. Some which include half-human/ half-animal creatures.

With the beginnings of World War II arriving, freedom in the art world slowed; however, brought more work for the government, primarily again in poster and mural work.

Additionally, in both the Depression and in the World Wars brought government graphic work that remained after the wars, primarily in advertising campaigns and publications. Graphic artists were being recognized for their work, which resulted in jobs remaining past the wars.