MODERNISM

Modernism

• The Movement had two major schools

• 1) The more prominent International Style
• 2) the shortlived but important Art Deco Style
INTERNATIONAL STYLE
A Style without a Style
BACKGROUND

The International Style is the name of a

major architectural style that is said to have
emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, the
formative decades of modern architecture,
as first defined by Americans Henry-
Russell Hitchcock and Philip Johnson in
1932, with an emphasis more on
architectural style, form and aesthetics
than the social aspects of the modern
movement as emphasised in Europe. The
term "International Style" first came into
use via a 1932 exhibition curated by
Hitchcock and Johnson, Modern
Architecture: International Exhibition, which
declared and labelled the architecture of
the early 20th century as the "International
Style".
Major Exponents of the Style

The term International Style originated from

an exhibition in 1932 titled Modern
Architecture: International Exhibition,
curated by American architectural historian
and critic Henry-Russell Hitchcock and
recently graduated Harvard
University philosophy student (and later
self-taught architect) Philip Johnson. 
Basic features of the Style

The aim of Hitchcock and Johnson was to define a style that would
encapsulate this modern architecture, doing this by the inclusion of
specific architects. All the works in the 1932 Museum of Modern Art
 exhibition were carefully selected, only displaying those that strictly
followed these rules.

Hitchcock and Johnson identified three principles:

1. The expression of volume rather than mass,

2. the emphasis on balance rather than preconceived symmetry,
3. and the expulsion of applied ornament.
Characteristics of International Style

The most common characteristics of International Style buildings are said

to be:
i. rectilinear forms
ii. light, taut plane surfaces that have been completely stripped of applied
ornamentation and decoration
iii. open interior spaces;
iv. a visually weightless quality engendered by the use of cantilever
construction.

Glass and steel, in combination with usually less visible reinforced

concrete, are the characteristic materials of the construction
Major Exponents of the Style

•Frank Lloyd Wright

•Le Corbusier
•Walter Gropius
•De Stijl Group
•Mies Van der Rohe
•Alvar Aalto
•Richard Neutra
Frank Lloyd Wright
Le Corbusier

• Le Corbusier-born as Charles
Eduard Jeanerette he was
Swiss/French Architect his works
are all over the world including India
• Although controversial at times his
contribution to Modern Architecture
makes him a creative genius.
• Famous for his creative versatility
esp. with concrete.
• His designed buildings, furniture and
even proposed city plans
Mies Van Der Rohe

• Perhaps the pioneer in

minimalism , Mies is one
of the most Influential
Architects of the Modern
Movement.
• Originally from Germany
where he last served as
Director of Bauhaus he
along with other like
Gropius fled to USA and
established the Rational
group in Architecture.
ART Deco ---BACKGROUND
A creative but short-lived
movement, Art Deco not
only influenced the
architecture of most
American cities but had an
impact on fashion, art, and
furniture, too. The style
takes its name from the
Exposition Internationale
des Arts Decoratifs held in
Paris in 1925.
 Basic features of the Style
From 1925 to 1940, Americans embraced Art Deco as a refreshing change from the
eclectic and revivalist sensibilities that preceded it. It came later in Europe and
subsequently In India . The style was essentially one of applied decoration. Art Deco
is founded on mathematical geometric shapes which drew equally on Greco-
Roman Classicism, the faceted architectural forms of Babylon, Assyria,
Ancient Egypt, and Aztec Mexico - notably their ziggurats, pyramids and other
monumental structures - and Machine Age streamline designs from aviation,
the radio, and the skyscraper.

Art Deco designs are characterized by

trapezoidal, zigzagged, and triangular shapes,
chevron patterns, stepped forms, sweeping
curves and sunburst motifs - the latter being
visible in a number of separate applications,
including: shoes, car radiator grilles, the Radio
City Music Hall auditorium, and the spire of the
William van Alen Chrysler Building (1928-30) in
New York.
Basic features of the Style
.
.Art Deco look brought about a return to the
symmetry and simplicity of Neoclassicism,
but without its classical regularity.

Buildings were richly embellished with

hard-edged,
low-relief designs:
geometric shapes, including chevrons and
ziggurats; and
stylized floral and sunrise patterns.
Shapes and decorations inspired by
Native American artwork
Egyptian Motifs
Near Eastern Motifs
Materials

New materials were used extensively, such as

aluminum,
stainless steel,
plastics,
lacquer
inlaid wood
moulded glass,
horn,
and ivory,

Art Deco also introduced exotic items like

Snake Skin
Tiger/Cheetah Hides
shark-skin,
and zebra-skin.
Major Buildings ( USA)
1. The Chrysler Building (1928-30) by William van Alen.

2. The Empire State Building (1929-31) by Shreve, Lamb &

Harmony

3. Rockefeller Center (1932-9) by Reinhard, Hofmeister, Harrison

& Macmurray.

4. Houses on Beach Road Miami

Art Deco --- Furniture and Fixtures
Art Deco in America– Chrysler Bldg
Interiors Chrysler Bldg
Empire State Bldg
Rockefeller Center—New York
 Art Deco in Britain

 East Stand facade at Highbury, the former Arsenal Stadium. The London
Underground also has numerous examples of Art Deco architecture, as do
London Hotels such as the Strand Palace Hotel.
 Art Deco in Britain—HOOVER Factory

 A company famous for

manufacture of Vacuum cleaners.
Note the typicl SunBurst Motif
typical of Art Deco Period.