What Important Role Did Emil Sodersteen Play in Australian Art Deco Architectural Design - Research Paper Example

? WHAT IMPORTANT ROLE DID EMIL SODERSTEEN PLAY IN AUSTRALIAN ART DECO ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN? XXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXX During the period of 1894 – 1914, many European artists rebelled against conventional, classical approaches to design.1 They introduced a new design methodology and named it Art Nouveau or Moderne.2 It introduced in Architecture irregular shape, curved lines, curved glass, mosaic, and stained glass. This new style flourished in European Architecture. Art Deco was a continuation of Art Nouveau. It offered in the twentieth century’s design - luxury, style and efficiency. It emerged in the years of 1908-1912. Representatives of this design style are Tamara de Lempicka, Rene Lalique, William van Alens, Raymond hood and Paul Manship.3 Art Deco reached its flourishing between the years 1925 and 1935 years. The name Art Deco came from the Exposition Internationale des arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes. It was an art and craft exhibition, which took place in 1925 in France.4 The exhibition, demonstrated the latest achievements in the field of architecture, interior, furniture, metal products, glass, and ceramic designs. Six months of the exhibition period drew about 16 million visitors from different parts of the world. The exhibition was gorgeous and glamorous. The famous French architect Le Corbusier, one of the founders of constructivism and functionalism, for this exhibition designed and _______________________ 1. "Art Nouveau Architecture," About.com.Architecture, accessed May, 19 2012, http://architecture.about.com/od/artnouveau/g/artnouveau.htm. 2. “What is Art Nouveau?," Art Nouveau 'round the world Home Page, accessed May 19, 2012, http://artnouveau.pagesperso-orange.fr/en/. 3. “Art Deco Style," Art Deco Style, accessed May 19, 2012, http://www.masterslodge.co.nz/hawkes_bay/art_deco_style/art_deco_style.htm. 4. “Le Corbusier - Great Buildings Online,” Great Buildings on line, accessed May 17, 2012, www.greatbuildings.com/architects/Le_Corbusier.html. built the pavilion by name «Esprit Nouveau» (French. «Esprit Nouveau» - «New spirit»).5 The famous painter P. Lalique built another pavilion with colored glass fountain with light effects.6 The 1925 Paris exhibition, as whole, became the final stage of development of design of the period of Modern or a transitional stage form of Modernism to post-war functionalism. In 1966, after the revival of 1925 exhibition in Paris, this art design style received the name Art Deco. Before that, the style was called "jazz modern," "zigzag modern", "streamlined modern". New discoveries of spectacular monuments of ancient Egyptian art (including the tomb of Tutankhamen, 1922) and the ancient civilizations of America made a significant impact on the development of Art Deco design style. In the period, between the two world wars, Art Deco was used in decorative art; today the term has become the synonym of efficiency. Art Deco design artists offered glamour and efficiency in their work. Art Laurence, one of the brilliant Art Deco artists, combined in his work classicism, symmetry, straightforwardness, and cubism on one hand as a part of Art Nouveau, and on other the ancient art of the Egypt, Middle East, Africa and the Americas. Thus, Art Deco in design accepted on one side favorite themes and motives of Modern - more precisely the style of art Nouveau, - which were winding lines, an unusual combination of expensive and exotic materials, images of exotic creatures, wave form, and on the other side colorful designs, ornate carvings, visual abstraction, and abstract _______________________ 5. “Decorating in the Art Deco Style,” Art Deco Style- Decorating in Art Deco Style, accessed May16, 2012, interiordec.about.com/od/stylesofdecor/a/art_deco_style.htm. 6. “Lalique Crystal, Figurines, Glass, and Art,” Squidoo, accessed May16, 2012, www.squidoo.com › Home & Garden › Home Decor. expressionism of the past. As an artistic style, Art Deco denied asceticism and opposed to the minimalism. It focused to the past, embodied a blend of exotic and primitive arts. Using neoclassical forms and streamline of art Nouveau, in design Art Deco expressed monumentality and elegance. Today, this style is considered to be synonymous with luxury and capability. The main motives of this design style are:7 • (geometry): circles, rectangles, squares, ellipses, zigzags, stepped forms, black-and-white keys of the piano; • (vegetable): curved branches of Sakura, the leaves of the tropical plants; • (animalistic): mythological beings and animals; • (East): the pyramids and ziggurats: • (anthropomorphic): curved female figures. During the period 1918-1939, the style Art Deco spread at a global level, from France to other European countries, the USA, Asia as well as Australia and New Zealand.8 In Italy and Germany elements of Art Deco style, combined with the forms of neoclassicism, influenced the architecture of the third Reich. Being rich in style, with a pronounced festive nature, art Deco design penetrated in architecture.9 During this period, use of Art Deco design style became popular in every article that people used; cars, _______________________ 7. “Decorating in the Art Deco Style, Art Deco Style- Decorating in Art Deco Style, accessed May 16, 2012, interiordec.about.com/od/stylesofdecor/a/art_deco_style.htm. 8. “Chicago: Art Deco: 1910-1939 – NGV, Melbourne - DG Design Network,” Art Deco: 1910 - 1939: NGV Melboune, accessed May 16, 2012, http://www.dgdesignnetwork.com.au/dgdn/dg-magazine-131/art-deco-1910-1939-ngv-melbourne/. 9. “Art Deco Web Sites: Regions : Europe,” Art Deco Web Sites, accessed May 17, 2012, http://www.adsw.org/resource/websites/Regions/Europe/ furniture, ornament, textile, glass manufacturing etc.10 Art Deco very easily found the road to Architecture. When Art Deco as a design style flourished over Europe and America, construction means already existed. Art Deco did not have to provide new height, new technology or new material. It provided elegant blocky shape silhouette non-structural decorative materials. Art Dec touched each Manhattan skyscraper that sought to outdo the previous structure in height and ornate decoration. In America, today one can see many architectural monuments, made in the style of art Deco.11 The first building in Manhattan where Art Deco design style was used is the Chanin-building.12 From 1913 to 1930, it was the tallest building in the world. Chanin-building in 1930 faded in the rays of glory of Chrysler building.13 Extravagant design of the Chrysler building created an emotional suspense in the human mind during the time of the great depression. Decoration and materials of the building show characteristic of the art Deco in steel, glass, marble, and even precious stones. The most famous landmark in the world of architecture of classic art Deco is the Empire State Building. In the USA, in the 1930s’ Art Deco was also popular in _______________________ 10. “Art Deco Web Sites: Regions : North America,” Art Deco Web Sites, accessed May16, 2012, http://www.adsw.org/resource/websites/Regions/North_America/. 11. “Furniture Interior Ideas," Linear Furniture Interior Ideas, accessed May 16, 2012, http://furnitureinteriorideas.com/tag/linear/. 12. “Chanin Building” New York Architecture Images, accessed May16, 2012, www.nyc, architecture.com/MID/MID019.htm. 13. “Chrysler Building,” New York Architecture Images, accessed May 17, 2012, www.nycarchitecture.com/MID/MID021.htm. the design and construction of railway stations.14 It represented the combination of luxury and modern progress. It was the time of the great Depression. The society accepted it because of its simplicity, and it also symbolized the American dream of better times. The first station in the United States, built in this style, was the Union Station in Omaha, Nebraska. Conceptually Art Deco welcomed the era of machines; thru the use of artificial materials, in the most part of glass and metal. Clarity and straightforwardness of vertical lines were decorated with a combination of decor elements showing the influence of Eastern and Indian culture. In the USA one can find many Art Decor style buildings in different states. Art decor seduced Architects from all over the world. One can find Art Deco design style in buildings in Asia, Africa and Europe.15 Like other countries, Australia also cordially welcome Art Deco design style in Architecture. One can find a large list of Art Deco style building in Melbourne, Tasmania, and Western Australia and other cities. It includes office buildings, residential buildings, cinemas and theaters, public buildings and facilities, institutional building and facilities, hotels and pubs.16 Art Deco design style in Australian architecture is closely intertwined with the name of famous Australian Architecture Emil Sodersteen. _______________________ 14. "SCRIBD," NCERT Books Temese on Indian History, accessed May16, 2012, http://www.scribd.com/www.nikhilam.com/d/14332257 15. “Art Deco Web Sites: Regions,” Art Deco Web Sites, accessed May16, 2012, http://www.adsw.org/resource/websites/Regions/. 16. “Art Deco Style.” Emil Lawrence Sodersteen, a child of a Swedish origin father was born on 30th August in Sydney in 1933.17 He was the second of seven children. In 1915, while he studied at Sydney Technical College, also worked as a technical clerk at an architectural firm by name Ross and Rowe. Later in 1921 he studied Architecture at the University of Sydney and attended the lectures of the Dean of Architecture Leslie Wilkinson. About at this period, Sodersteen along with the Architect C.B. Dellit joined Hall and Prentice, Brisbane Architects, and helped them design City Hall.18 In 1925, at the age of 24, Emil Sodersteen founded a private architecture practice in Sydney along with his brothers Erik an Architect, and Karl a Structural Engineer.19 He, at that time, was influenced by the work and idea of American Architects Raymond Hood and Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue. Together with colleague C. Bruce Dellit, he helped establish Art Deco as a style in Sydney. Emil Sodersteen, in 1927 – 1928, became a council-member of the Institute of Architects in New South Wales, and in 1931 Fellow of Royal Australian Institute of Architects.20,21 _______________________ 17. “The Architect,” WYCHBURY, accessed May 17, 2012, http://wychbury.com.au/archives/8. 18. “Dellit, Charles Bruce (1898–1942),” Biography - Austrilian Dictionory of Biography, accessed May16, 2012, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/dellit-charles-bruce-9947. 19. “Sodersten, Emil Lawrence,” Australian Dictionary of Biography, accessed May16, 2012, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/sodersten-emil-lawrence-11734 20. “Emil Sodersten,” docstock, accessed May16, 2012, http://www.docstoc.com/docs/107112433/Emil_Sodersten# . 21. “Sondersten, Emil Lawrence.” Sodersteen at that time participated in Australian War Memorial design competition. He, at that time, met John Crust, who also participated in the same competition.22 In total 69 people participated in the competition. Only John Crust’s work was within the budget. Sodersteen’s work was highly praised from its artistic and architectural point. Crust and Sodersteen were jointly commissioned to prepare and present an amended version of the project. Crust was managing the finance part of the project, and Sodersteen was the design part. Conflict arose between these two architects, and Sodersteen eventually left the project in 1938.23 During the World War II, he served in Papua New Guinea. He married in 1951. After World War II, Emil Sodersteen rarely designed. He died in 1961. History of Australian architecture dates back from old colonial period to this day. At different period of history, Australia adopted different architectural styles. Each style classified a specific historical period. They are old colonial period (1788 – 1840), Victorian period (1840- 1890), Federation period (1890 – 1915), Inter war period (1915 – 1940), Post war period (1940 – 1960), Late twentieth century (1960 – 2000).24,25,26 Streamline Moderne (Art Moderne) and Art Deco are two trends dominated in the _______________________ 22. “Sondersten, Emil Lawrence.” 23. Ibid. 24. “Australian Inst of Architecture,” Architecture Gallery, accessed May 16, 2012, http://www.architecture.com.au/i-cms?page=1.21.49. 25. "Federation Period 1890-1915," architecturewiki - Federation Period 1890-1915, accessed May16, 2012, www.architecturewiki.com.au/FederationPeriod18901915 26. “Victorian Period 1840 – 1890, NationRE, accessed May 20, 2012, www.nationre.com.au/architectural.../victorian-period-1840-–-1890/ Australian Architecture during the Interwar and Post war periods27,28 Emil Sodersten’s professional life coincides with these periods. Some of his notable works are Australian War Memorial (1927-1941), City Mutual Assurance (1934-1936), Australia Hotel (1934), Birtley Towers (1934), St. Bede's Church (1932), and the Memorial Gates, Lodge and Staff Quarters for St. Andrew's College, University of Sydney 1948.29 Emil Sodersteen and Art Deco in Australian Architecture are interrelated. What is an Architectural style? It is a set of core features and attributes of the specific time and place. It reveals specific detail of its functional, constructive, and the artistic form of a certain period of human civilization. Architecture is a well-orchestrated symphony of building materials, geometrical shape, facade and interior decoration combined. Each of these items act like an individual musical instrument, and together they produce a symphony that we love, and appreciate. This is exactly what Emil Sodersteen offered in his Architectural design of buildings with Art Deco.30 This article will briefly discuss some of his masterpieces related with implementation of Art Deco in Australian Architecture. _______________________ 27. “Inter War Period 1915-1940,” architecturewiki, accessed May 17, 2012, www.architecturewiki.com.au/InterWarPeriod19151940 28. “The Architect.” 29. Ibid. 30. Ibid. Marlborough Hall (1938) in Elizabeth Bay, Sydney, designed by architect Emil Sodersteen 31 This is an Art Deco residential building. Geometrical presentation is asymmetrical blocks. This type of geometry is an Art Deco design style. Amber colored glass used for windows are an imprint of Deco style use of color. Glass windows are running along the height of blinding along a straight line. This is another Art Deco style in Architecture. _______________________ 31. “Marlborough Hall (1938) in Elizabeth Bay,” Art Deco Buildings, accessed May 19, 2012, http://artdecobuildings.blogspot.com/2009/12/marlborough-hall-elizabeth-bay.html. Elizabeth House (1939) , located in 230 Elizabeth Street, designed by Emil Sondersteen 32 This is an Art Deco style building. Cubical shape in geometry is an example of Art Deco. Straight lines, and bright color used in this building represent Art Deco glamour. _______________________ 32. “Elizabeth House,” Sydney Art Deco Heritage, accessed May17, 2012, http://artdecoheritage.blogspot.com/2009/12/elizabethhouse.html QBE Building (1939) , located 80 – 82 A Pitt Street, Sydney, designed by Emil Sondersteen33 This is a high rise Art Deco style building. The building features an unusual serrated facade of textured face brick above a polished granite plinth. This shows elegance of Art Deco. Application of vertical straight lines and colored window glasses present a glamorous Art Deco look. _______________________ 33. “QBE Building,” Sydney Art Deco Heritage, accessed May 17, 2012, http://artdecoheritage.blogspot.com/2009/11/qbe-building.html CML Building (1936), 60 – 66 Hunter street, Sydney, designed by Emil Sodersteen34 This is an Art Deco style Architecture in commercial building. Application of zigzag style in windows is an example of Art Deco. Black marble style entrance supports Art Deco richness in design. The geometry of the building shows sleek smooth straight lines glorifying feature of Art Deco style. _______________________ 34. “CML Building,” Sydney Art Deco Heritage, accessed May 17, 2012, http://artdecoheritage.blogspot.com/2009/12/cml-building.html Nesca House (1937) Newcastle , designed by Emil Sadersteen35 One of Emil Sandersteen’s Art Deco land mark, presenting features – clean shape, lines emphasized elegant straight lines, and cubes. ________________________ 35. “Nesca House,” nikhilham.com, accessed May 17, 2012, http://www.flickr.com/photos/23268776@N03/6119074146/ Emil Sodersteen’s Art Deco style buildings, presented in above, show vivid stark color (CML building), plain geometric shapes and cubic. Clean shapes and elegant lines are emphasized in all of his buildings. His works demonstrate careful combination of color and texture of different materials; glass, brick, marble, and granite. The sleek lines of theses buildings emphasize their gracefulness. Architecture is music in the rock. An Architect is an artist who can change the world. History of development of human civilization is closely tied to the architecture. When we mention about seven ancient wonders, we speak about architecture. Man on this earth exists temporarily, but the man-made architecture is eternal. Looking at the Architecture of a building, we not only see the wall, column and roof, but we see the era of human civilization. Without Architecture, human civilization does not exist. With deep appreciation in minds we remember architects like, Imhotep (2650 – 2600 BC), Leonardo Da Vinci (1452 – 1519), Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (1483 – 1520) , Bartolomeo Rastrelli (1700 – 1771), Antonio Gaudi (1852 – 1926) and Frank Lloyd Wright (1867 – 1959) , Ivan Leonidov (1902 – 1959), Le Corbusier (1887 – 1965), Frank Gehry(1929), Daniel Libeskind (1946), Zaha Hadid (1950), Santiago Calatrava (1951). These Architects come from a different culture, society and religion. All of them, however, have one thing in common. Their masterpieces do not have boundary of culture, society and religion. Their masterpieces are eternal. Art Deco is a design style that came to the world in between World War I and World War II. It flourished the world when depression engulfed different countries.36 It presented the world a new hope, and aspiration. Art Deco style infused everyone in the world with an elegant style. The style combined in itself themes from the present and past. It borrowed ideas from Middle East, Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Mayan culture. Using geometrical shapes and intense colors in design style, Art Deco emphasized abstraction, cubism, and futurism. Though similar to Art Nouveau, Art Deco presented more distinguished and more modern look in its design style. Arte Deco presents a design style of a specific time of human civilization. Architects from all over the world welcomed application of Art Deco design style in buildings. One can find Art Deco style buildings in Eritrea, South Africa, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Canada, Mexico and the USA.37 Australia also embraced Art Deco in the Architecture of building design. One can find office buildings, apartment and residence buildings, cinemas and theaters, hotels and pubs, and industrial buildings in different cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra) of Australia where Architects used Art Deco design style. These buildings are part of Australian history and culture. After centuries past from now, these buildings will pass suspense to the future generation to come, as Egyptian pyramids do to the current generation. _______________________ 36.“Art Deco (c.1925 – 40),” Art Deco Design Style, accessed May 17, 2012, http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/history-of-art/art-deco.htm#architecture 37. Ibid. Art Deco style buildings are popular among Australians.38 Australians in Melbourne go to the extent that they want all of their buildings in Art Deco style.39 The reason is the city in 1934 began to emerge from depression. Art Deco style in Architecture contributed hope and promise of progress. It added color, beauty and richness to the building design. Emil Sodersteen’s works belong to this period of Australian History. As an Architect, Emil Sodersteen, thru Art Deco design style planted new hope in Australian people’s mind during the time of depression. Emil Sodersteen is a part Australian Architecture.40 His masterpieces are sandstones on Australian soil and telling the tale of an era not to the Australian only, but to the whole mankind. Not only Australians, but also mankind century after century will appreciate the beauty, elegance and richness of his masterpieces. His works send a message of hope to the mankind – that war and depression cannot overcome human will. Emil Sodersteen will live in the hearts of Australian and every Australian will appreciate that he forever is a part of the history of the country. He played a prominent role in the history of Australian Architecture during the period of Art Deco design style. _______________________ 38. “Art Deco News.com,” Australian Art Deco, accessed May 25, 2012, http://www.artdeconews.com/AustralianArtDeco.htm 39. Ibid 40. “Emil Sodersteen,” Images of Emil Sodersteen, accessed May 17, 2012http://images.mitrasites.com/emil-sodersten.html Bibliography "ADSW Logo Art Deco Web Sites: Regions : North America." ADSW Logo Art Deco Web Sites: Regions : North America. Accessed May 19, 2012. http://www.adsw.org/resource/websites/Regions/North_America/. "Art Deco (c.1925-40)." Art Deco Design Style. 2012. Accessed May 19, 2012. http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/history-of-art/art-deco.htm#architecture. “Art Deco News.com.” Australian Art Deco. 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