Introduction to Art Deco
The industrial revolution brought a huge change to the world, introducing us to machinery that shaped the world that we live in today. During the time, we were introduced to new technology such as the steam engine, spinning jenny, etc. It also played a significant role in the world of art. Symbolism, Vienna Secession, Art Nouveau (1890–1910) were some of the art movements of the time which were a reaction to the late 19th-century art. From the short success of Art Nouveau emerged Art Deco.
Art deco was an amalgamation of different art movements like cubism, art nouveau, arts and crafts movements, constructivism, etc. Early works of Art deco were discovered in the 1900s but was recognized globally close to World War I, and officially got its name during the exhibition of modern decorative and industrial arts (Exposition Internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes), and was short for Arts Decoratifs. It was first seen in decorative art such as furniture, jewelry, and then in applied art like architecture, and visual arts. Initially, it was a way to differentiate between the upper and lower classes, as it was seen as a sign of wealth and sophistication. It used expensive material such as jade, crystal, ivory, silver, and gold, but after the great depression, cheap and mass-produced items such as plastic, chrome, etc. were used catering to the middle class. After World War 2 the form started losing its popularity as it was too flamboyant for the wartime severity. It regained popularity once again in the 60s and 80s, coincident with the movement’s effect on pop art, and with a growing interest in graphic design, respectively.
Art deco represented scientific progress and the consequent rise of commerce, technology, and speed, in contrast to art nouveau. It drew its characteristics from Greek and roman geometry, architectural forms of Babylon, Ancient Egypt, and Aztec Mexico — notably ziggurats, pyramids and streamline designs from aviation, the radio, automobiles, etc. Smooth line, geometric shapes, streamlined forms, bright colors, polished surfaces, chevron patterns, stepped forms, sweeping curves and sunburst motifs were some of the elements of the art form. At its birth between 1910 and 1914, Art deco was an explosion of colors, featuring bright and often clashing hues, frequently in floral designs, presented in furniture upholstery, carpets, screens, wallpaper, and fabrics. Modern materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, plastics, lacquer, molded glass, ivory and exotic items like shark-skin, zebra skin, etc. were used. Reinforced cement concrete was used in applied arts in addition to the above materials.
Introduction to art deco in applied arts was first seen in Paris in 1902–1903 when two apartment buildings were built by architects Auguste Perret and Henry Sauvage. The style then spread to all of Western Europe by 1920, after the exhibition was held in Paris. Not only did it spread to Western Europe, but also major cities in the U.S., like New York City, Chicago, Miami, etc. The style was used on commercial buildings, skyscrapers, movie theatres, residences — places that an owner wanted to feature and make a statement about their status, success, and the modern age. Many skyscrapers like the Chrysler Tower, Empire State Building, etc. are all examples of the style. Art deco displayed not only wealth and sophistication but also the urge to be modern, to move away from what was previously being done. In the 1920s, the style spread to Miami Beach, Florida, becoming home to one of the world’s largest collections of art deco buildings. Miami Art Deco District is located along thirty blocks of South Beach, has more than 900 buildings, and the style is locally known as Tropical Deco.
These pastel-colored buildings represented an era of modernity when Miami Beach was being developed as a seaside “tropical playground”. Sunburst motifs, chevron patterns, curved surfaces, tropical patterns can be seen as some of the characteristics of tropical deco. In 1979, this Art Deco District was listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
In India, during the British Raj, trading communities were being set up in three presidency towns of Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay. Since Mumbai, the then Bombay, was a port on the west coast, it developed as a capitalist port and as a trading colony, trading spices, cotton, opium, etc. Bombay attracted people from various parts of the Indian subcontinent who wanted to establish businesses in the city, due to the growing spice trade, which brought in plenty of wealth to the city. The population was rising and housing was becoming an issue as it was expensive, and adequate land wasn’t available.
Art deco entered India from Bombay, making it the world’s second-largest collection of art deco buildings. In 1929, The Backbay Reclamation scheme cleared up 439.6 acres of land which coincided with the period when Art Deco was spreading to different parts of the world. It marked the arrival of modernity in contrast to all the revivalist styles.
In 1930, the Indian National Congress declared Purna Swaraj. This brought in a lot of fear to the Bombay elites as they occupied enviable positions in the industry, government and professional services, as Bombay’s economy and trade were entangled with the British Empire, and the Nehruvian and Gandhian visions of India seemed to disrupt this. Although Mumbai’s elite could potentially burn the bridge with the British government, they still helped fund the Independence movement. Mumbai’s alarmed elites wanted to find a neutral territory to oblige both, themselves, as well as the concept of a sovereign India. With the rise of art deco buildings on the 439.6 acres of land in Bombay, India saw a start to a more progressive and modern nation. This land was located on the western side of the Oval Maidan where most of the art deco buildings can be found today, stretching to Marine Drive. Dadar, Matunga, Malabar and Cumbala Hills, Wadala, and Colaba are some of the other areas where these buildings can be seen.
Post World War I, a lot of urbanization led to the growth in tourism and travel in Bombay. Tourists were inspired by this art form which influenced the spread of it throughout India.
In 2018, after a decade-long struggle, UNESCO recognized 96, Art Deco, as well as the Victorian Gothic structures of Mumbai as a world heritage site. Art deco in India spread from Bombay to the cities of Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, New Delhi, etc.
Golconda was the capital of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty until 1590. In 1591 a new capital was established by Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, calling it Hyderabad, which was built around the Charminar. In 1687, it was captured by the Mughals. After a short period of Mughal rule, the first Nizam of Hyderabad conquered the city in 1724. A subsidiary alliance was then signed between the British and the Nizams, making Hyderabad State the largest princely state in British India, with Hyderabad as its capital.
In 1806, The British set up a cantonment in Hyderabad, calling it Secunderabad, which was named after Sikander Jah, the then ruler of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty. Secunderabad was also developing as a residential area in which people were beginning to settle down. Since it was a relatively new area, it was open to fresh and modern ideas architecturally, especially during the 1900s. After setting foot into Bombay, Art deco spread to various cities, Hyderabad being one of them. Localities such as Rashtrapathi Road, Jeera, Ranigunj, Padma Rao Nagar, Marredpally, Begumpet, Ameerpet were filled with art deco buildings, until recently when a majority of these structures have been demolished, in the name of development. Only a few of these buildings are still standing to this day, in the mentioned areas. This research was inspired by one of these art deco buildings that we had come across in Ameerpet, which led us to learn more about these kinds of buildings. While visiting this building, we were unable to find the owner or any details about the building. According to our research, it could have been built around the 1930s.
More effort should be taken by the owner or the government to not only conserve and preserve these buildings but to also raise awareness about the significance of these buildings as they play a vital role in Hyderabad’s cultural heritage.
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