Two exhibitions plunged us into the 1920s for the Centenary of Art Deco

Two simultaneous. Nevertheless, complementary exhibitions take place in Saint-Quentin, for the centenary of the Art Deco period. Furthermore, Many accessories. However, objects of public and private collections are visible until September 21, the opportunity to take a trip 100 years back.

Fashion articles, accessories, furniture, decoration of public and private collections … Meanwhile, Throughout the summer. Consequently, two exhibitions on the centenary of Art Deco take place at the Saint-Jacques gallery and at the Antoine Lecuyer two exhibitions plunged us 1920s museum, in Saint-Quentin (Aisne), an emblematic city of this iconic style, where the concern for detail transformed certain objects into works of art.

In 1925, the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts sounded the start of this revolution in Paris. Moreover, “”We wanted to truly reproduce this exhibition route which had started at the Alexandre III bridge. Consequently, which would die on the Grand Palais, and this is the object of our exhibition since we leave from the Museum of Fine Arts Antoine Lecuyer to arrive here, where you find the suburban evocation“, Says Marie-Laurence Maitre, deputy mayor in charge of culture.

The Art Deco movement was looking at all costs the renewal. after the dramatic period of the Great War. “”You should also know that Art Deco as such had been started in 1914“, but will take another turn.”This is what an architect can grasp like Le Corbusier. who takes the opportunity to impose a new, geometric style“, continues the assistant.

Beyond style. it is also an art of living and transformations in everyday life, especially for women who will gradually rise. “”Everything will first translate into appearance: makeup appears, the scent too. […] We also think in a certain way of department stores that implode at that time“.

The purpose of the exhibition at the Saint-Jacques gallery is to stage everyday objects. because even if we often talk about style, art deco is “An art of living, and that’s how it should be conceived: table art“. Within the gallery, Marie-Laurence Maitre points to many objects. Among them, a dresser, but not just any. This is that of Maurice Dufrène. the decorator of the Galeries Lafayette,”And this is the reason why we wanted to devote this little tribute to him“.

Then. the Antoine Lecuyer museum completes the discovery (or rediscovery) of this period, with the lacquers signed by the artist Gaston Switzerland, which give the impression that birds and other animals are seized in two exhibitions plunged us 1920s flight. “”He was attentive, he was looking for this spontaneity“, Explains Agnès Villain, curator of the museum. Indeed. already very young, the artist observed animals, in particular in the garden of plants in Paris and in zoos, creating in him this desire to”crunch“And to be in instantaneity.

“He first had a truly emblematic geographical work of this time. And a little later, he went to this much more figurative art, but which was also a great success“Adds the curator.

What can enter visitors is the technical mastery of lacquer. very complex to obtain: “The lacquered object is a multilayer object, it requires very long, very fine, meticulous work“. Gaston Switzerland discovered this technique when he was a student, very young, and developed it all his life. It even freed itself from the constraints of natural lacquer. gradually going to synthetic lacquer for more fluidity and ease of drying. “”He especially developed a fairly incredible engraving. color work for the time, he did this magnificent job to us“Concludes Agnès Villain.

The two exhibitions are visible at the Saint-Jacques gallery. the Museum of Fine Arts Antoine Lécuyer Until next September 21. More information on the gallery website.

With Dominique Patinec / FTV