Art Deco Centenary: An Introduction

In April 2015, the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes opened in Paris and continued until October that year. In the century since, designed artefacts and spaces that resemble the work shown at the exhibition have come to be known as ‘Art Deco’ in tribute to the importance of the exhibition. Of course, the exhibition did not mark an explosive coming into being for the style carrying its name. Rather, it demonstrated a critical mass of work in design which responded both to the forward-looking mechanistic vision of the modernists and that of the skilled practitioners of luxury decorative arts, to produce something else. The Editors of The Journal of Design History wanted to mark this important centenary by taking a cue from our recently-launched Explorations section, which fosters innovative, experimental, and creative interventions in researching and writing about design and its histories. For the Art Deco Centenary, we have encouraged authors to reach beyond the standard format of the academic journal article in ways that suit the reflective purpose of the series. The resulting series comprises a reception study, a speculative provocation, a practitioner interview and an alternative history. As lead Editor, I am delighted to introduce this special group of innovative and reflective texts.