Art Deco's Vision of Technological Optimism
Beautiful. Bring back Art Deco!
Art Deco was an optimistic expression of human mastery over the world expressed through architecture and design.
It was enabled by new materials, technologies and building methods.
With AI, I'd like to imagine we're approaching a new era of Art Deco!
Dume@gietzschean
Art Deco actually made a power company building look exactly like a power company.
The Niagara Mohawk Building in Syracuse was completed in 1932 as the headquarters of Niagara Hudson Power Corporation.
At night, concealed lights within the façade, illuminated glass panels, floodlighting on the central 'Spirit of Light' sculpture, reflective aluminum, polished glass and stainless steel turned the building into a glowing advertisement for the power of electricity in the age of machine.
This also represented the optimism and beauty that could be incorporated into modernist structures.
