Definition for View source for Art Deco

Art deco (early 20th century) in architecture began between World Wars I and II. It is an individual decorative arts style that the public particularly liked and helped to make thousands of products commercial successes. The term “art deco” was coined from the name of the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, held in Paris in 1925. The term moderne also came from that title, and the two styles were applied to a variety of products and a style of architecture. The style is characterized by slender forms, straight lines, and a sleekness expressive of modern technology. The style regained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s.