Did you know that none of the objects in Elaine’s bedroom were referred to as “Art Deco” when they were created? The term Art Deco was coined in the late 1960s by historians. It derives from the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels, the 1925 World’s Fair in Paris. There, works in this new, modern style were first introduced to international audiences. At the time of their creation, Joseph Urban’s designs, and those of other designers who fused decorative forms with the unique features of modern life, were usually termed “modernist,” “modernistic,” or simply “modern,” reflecting the sense of timeliness and freshness they evoked.
