Nowojorskie Art Déco a europejski ekspresjonizm

English Title: New York Art Déco and European Expressionism

In: Rocznik Historii Sztuki, 32 (2007), pp. 101-123

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Translation of abstract (English)

The article pertains to the New York architecture Art Deco in the context of its relations with the European Expressionism that is to be seen particularly on the architecture in Germany and Holland. Building made of bricks and terracotta with various grades of color were marked by decorative motives characteristic also of Art Deco, a style which became widely popular both in Europe and America after the International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Art (Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes) at Paris in 1925. These motives included prisms, triangles, zigzagged shapes, floral ornaments which, in certain patterns resulted sometimes in the forms close to sculpture. In the visions of crystals or rocks the expressionists saw the spirit of the Gothic style. The architecture influenced a part of American architects whose designs belong to one of the variety of the very abounding and diverse American Art Deco. The article discusses the works by Ralph Walker, designing for the Voorhees & Gmelin Company. These include the buildings for the New York Telephone Company: Barclay Vesey Telephone Building, Western Union Building, Long Lines Building, and several others on the various parts of the city. They were constructed in 1923-1932. There is also an analysis of the Wadsworth Manor (H.I. Feldman), Panhellenic Tower (J. M. Howells), American Radiator Building (J.M. Howells, R. Hood), close to the aesthetics of Expressionism. The article brings up the problems of the history and aesthetics of skyscrapers and presents the opinions of various authors about the discussed buildings in the light of current debates on most sophisticated forms encompassed by Art Deco movement.