Talking Modernism Michael Hauptman

" Come tour the future with General Motors! A transcontinental flight over America in 1960! What will we see? What changes will transpire? "

Conclusion of a 2-part series on Streamline moderne,  In this episode I'll discuss why  it took particular root in Depression-era America, and also discuss how the critics viewed modern art in the 1930s.

Photo credit: Wes Magyar

To explore future:
Book,   Bush, "The Streamlined Decade", George Braziller Inc, 1075Pictures of the Hoover Model 150 by  Henry DreyfussPictures of the Oriole gas stove by Norman Bel GeddesPicture of the Electrolux Model 30 by Lurelle Van ArsdaleGood article on Norman Bel Geddes' mechanical horse race and his War GameOriginal color documentary by General Motors on the 1939 Futurama exhibit.  Ride footage commences at minute 8:00Good brief video summarising Norman Bel Geddes' careerCatalogue of 1934 MOMA exhibition "Machine Art"Book, Marshall, "Machine Art 1934", University of Chicago Press, 2012MOMA diagram shown progression of modern art 1890-1935

 “The airplane is the symbol of the new age .  A new state of modern conscience. A new plastic vision. A new aesthetic. "

Welcome back to the second season of Talking Modernism, and the first of a 2-part series on Streamline Moderne, the style that is so evocative of Depression era  America.  In this episode I'll be talking about the glamorous world of train travel in the 1930s, and the ground-breaking Pioneer Zephyr,  the first of the streamliner trains.

To explore further :
Wikipedia on Pioneer Zephyr Book Shafer& Welsh, "Streamliners - History of a Railroad Icon", MBI Publishing, 1997Article on the economics of rail travel in America Article on railway dining Wikipedia on the Shienenzeppelin Article on the Fliegender Hamburger trainFilm of the 1938 20th Century Limited:  the most beautiful train ever made? Photos of Mossehaus by Erich MendelsohnArticle on the Universum Cinema, also by Mendelsohn PDF copy of Aircraft  by Le Corbusier, 19351934 film The Silver Streak 

"I know it when I see it”

Final in a 3-part series on the 1925 Paris exposition and the Art Deco style.  In this episode I explore the origins of the Art Deco style, especially its roots in avant-garde art.  Plus the role of the forgotten giant of fashion Paul Poiret in packaging the avant-garde for the mass market.

To explore future:
High-level overview of avant-garde art Article on Antonio Sant'Ella 1910 Futurist building designsUnesco site, Centennial Hall, 1913, Wroclaw
Video of Grosse Schauspielhaus , 1919 BerlinArticle on 1914 Deutsche Werkbund exhibition, CologneColour video reconstruction of the Glass Pavilion, 1914 Deutsche Werkbund expoArticle on Paul PoiretArticle on Corbusier's Pavillion de l"esprit Nouveau, 1925World Heritage site on Corbusier's Cité Frugès, 1924
Email feedback and suggestions to talkingmodernism@gmail.com

Photo credit:  Ambassador study-library, designed by Pierre Chareau, Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

"The first impression of the Exhibition is startling. Passing through the silver obelisk-like towers of the Port d’Honneur, one comes at once upon a cubist dream city, or the projection of a possible city in Mars, arisen overnight in the heart of Paris. "

Second in a 3-part series on the 1925 Paris exposition, the "Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Moderne", that sparked a world-wide explosion of the glamorous and much-loved Art Deco style.   In this episode I discuss how Paris battled to regain its position as style leader of the Western world against the challenge of foreign innovators such as the Deutsche Werkbund, culminating in the 1925 Paris Exposition.

To explore further:
Article on the Thonet Number 14 chairArticle on the Deutsche WerkbundArticle on Peter Brehens, one of the founders of the WerkbundArticle on the AEG Turbine Hall, one the pioneers of modern factory designArticle of the 1910 Salon d'AutomneMore photos of the Deutsche Werkbund exhibits at the 1910 Salon d'AutomneJean Metzinger's Cubist painting Nu a la chemineeComprehensive article by Arthur Chandler on the 1925 Paris ExhibitionPhotos of the 1925 Paris ExhibitionFilm "Paris a Cinq Jours", ("Paris in 5 Days"), silent comedy from 1925.  Contains actual footage of the 195 Paris expo at 40.49 minute markEmail feedback and suggestions to talkingmodernism@gmail.com

Photo credit:  Thonet Number 14 Chair, thonet.com.au/products/no-14-vienna/

"Paris is the world, the rest of the earth nothing but its suburbs"

First in a 3-part series on the 1925 Paris exposition, the "Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Moderne", that sparked a world-wide explosion of the glamorous and much-loved Art Deco style.   In this episode I discuss the genesis of Paris' position as the fashion capital of the world, and also explore early responses of decorative art and design to the challenge of modernity. 

To explore further:
Article How King Louis IV invented fashion as we know itBook "Empire of Things", Frank TrentmanArticle Great Exhibition 1851Article  Crystal Palace, with photosArticle "The Gallery of False Principles" exhibition, 1852Article Arts & Crafts movementArticle Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow School of ArtsArticle British "Modern" styleExcellent article by Arthur Chandler on 1900 Paris ExpoFilm of the 1900 Paris ExpoArticle on Art Nouveau
Email feedback and suggestions to talkingmodernism@gmail.com

Photo credit:  Crystal Palace relocated to Sydenham, Historic England Archive FF91/00334

Second in a 2-part series on Tel Aviv's "White City", the world's largest collection of modernist-style architecture.   In this episode I discuss the growth, decline and rediscovery of the White City.  I also discuss the contrasting work of Expressionist architect Erich Mendelsohn 

To explore further:
Newsreels of Tel Aviv, including the White City periodWikipedia on Levant Fair 1932Engel House, White CityRubinsky House, White CityDizengoff Square, White CityPlan for Alexanderplatz, Berlin, Mies van der Rohe, 1928Book White City, Black City, Sharon Rotbard,2005/2015Article on German Expressionist architectureEinstein Tower, BerlinWeizmann Villa, RehovotBook Seizing Jerusalem - The Architectures of Unilateral Unification, Prof Alana Nitzan-Shiftan, 2017Email feedback and suggestions to talkingmodernism@gmail.com