Pictorial Modernism Art Deco

Chapter 14
Pictorial Modernism
Art Deco
Plakatstil
•
“Plakatstil” - German for Poster Style
•
Lucian Bernhard won a poster
competition with this poster
•
“Reduced communication to one
word and two matches.”
•
Poster design for Priester matches,
c.1905. Color became the means of
projecting a powerful message with
minimal information.
Plakatstil - Poster Design
•
During WWI (1914 - 1918) when radio and other electronic means of
communication were not widespread, the poster was the major
means of communication,
•
Posters promoted propaganda and visual persuasion, boosted
public moral, promoted fundraising efforts for the war,
•
American posters honored soldiers, home, family and public
contributions to the war effort. American (and allies) used a literal
approach to design.
•
German design was radically different. The approach was more
symbolic with words and images integrated. (clinched fist, piercing
arrows etc.)
Plakatstil
• Leading Plakatstil designer - Ludwig Hohlwein
• Art changed with evolution of social change
• Characterized by: texture, decorative pattern,
flat images
• Hohlwein was primary design of Hitler’s
propaganda posters
Hohlwein - 1915
One of the last posters
that Hohlwein designed
for the Nazi’s. His
reputation was seriously
damaged by his
collaboration with the
Nazi Regime.
Bernard - 1915
Clenched fist in
medieval armor and
blackletter typography
captured the Germanic
spirit and created
national pride.
Art Deco
Art Deco is an elegant style of
decorative art, design and
architecture which began as a
Modernist reaction against the
Art Nouveau style. It is
characterized by the use of
angular, symmetrical geometric
forms. One of the classic Art
Deco themes is that of 1930sera skyscrapers such as New
York's Chrysler Building and
Empire State Building.
Art Deco
• Term is used to identify
popular geometric
works of the 1920’s and
1930’s.
• Provided aesthetic
sensibility in graphics,
architecture and product
design during the
decades between the two
world wars.
Otto Arpke
Deutsche Luft Hansa, 1926