Are Art Deco and Mid Century Modern the Same?

Art|Modern Art

Art Deco and Mid Century Modern are two popular styles of design that have seen a resurgence in recent years, but they are often confused with each other. While they share some similarities, they are actually quite different.

Art Deco is a style that originated in the 1920s and 1930s, characterized by bold and ornamental geometric shapes and strong colors. It was popularized in the United States by the 1925 Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, which showcased Art Deco designs from around the world.

Art Deco was heavily influenced by Ancient Egyptian, Aztec, and Mayan art and architecture as well as Cubism, Constructivism, and Futurism.

Mid Century Modern is a style of design that emerged in the 1940s and 1950s. It was inspired by modernist architecture and furniture designs of the Bauhaus school in Germany as well as Scandinavian design.

Mid Century Modern features simple lines, minimal ornamentation, natural materials like wood and leather, bright colors, and unexpected juxtapositions of materials.

Although both styles share an appreciation for bold geometric shapes and bright colors, there are some key differences between them. Art Deco tends to be more ornate with its use of curves and intricate details while Mid Century Modern keeps it simple with straight lines and clean edges. Art Deco also uses more luxurious materials like marble or gold while Mid Century Modern prefers natural materials like wood or leather.

Overall, Art Deco is more decorative while Mid Century Modern is more utilitarian. While both styles have been popular throughout the decades, they remain distinct from each other.

Conclusion: Are Art Deco and Mid Century Modern the same? No – while they share some similarities in terms of their bold geometric shapes and bright colors, their overall look is quite different. Art Deco is more ornate whereas Mid Century Modern is more simple with its use of natural materials like wood or leather.