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Time Out
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
This monumental cinema in Mumbai is Asia's greatest Art Deco building
If you've ever stopped to admire a building for its clean lines, geometric forms, bold colours, and opulent materials, you're likely gawping at a piece of art deco architecture. A style that became popular in the 1920s and 1930s, art deco works still number among some of the most prominent buildings in the world: think the Empire State Building in America and the Hoover Building in the UK. To mark the centenary of a landmark Paris exhibition: Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels (International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts) in 1925, our expert in architecture and design has done the tough job of whittling down the 10 finest examples of art deco architecture in the world. Picks range from the Art Deco Historic District in Miami to the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, with just one building from all of Asia making the list. That honour goes to the Eros Cinema, located at Churchgate, Mumbai, India. Commissioned in 1935 by the Parsi businessman Shiavax Cawasji Cambata in 1935, it was designed by architect Shorabji Bhedwar and officially opened in February 1938. This is one building you can't miss. The cinema is immense, with an imposing stepped facade of ivory cream and red Agra sandstone protruding onto Marine Drive. The theatre is just as magnificent on the inside: black and white marble covers the foyer, marble staircases with chromium handrails lead up to the upper floor, and elaborate murals, cloud patterns, and relief sculptures adorn the walls of the floors and auditoriums. The Eros Cinema is a significant building in Mumbai's architectural landscape. It's part of the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018. Though it was closed in 2017, you'll be glad to know that you can visit it now to catch a movie. It was reopened in 2024 after restoration and renovation works by conservation architects, boasting a brand spanking new 1,300-seat theatre and IMAX screen. Check out all 10 of the world's greatest art deco buildings here.
Time Out
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
It's official: the greatest art deco building in the world is in London
Did you know that 2025 marks a special anniversary for art deco? While the style dates back to the 1910s, art deco got its name as an abbreviation for the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels (International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts), which took place in Paris in 1925. An entire century later, art deco's glamourous craftmanship, bold geometric shapes and opulent colours are as admired as ever. To mark the style's big one-oh-oh, last week Time Out published a list of the world's greatest art deco buildings, enlisting the expertise of art deco aficionado Dominic Lutyens. The list totalled nine buildings around the world, with Lutyens highlighting structures like New York's Chrysler Building, Miami's Art Deco Historic District and Mumbai's Eros Cinema. Also making the cut, however, were buildings from London. A total of three London art deco structures featured in Lutyens' top nine – including top spot. Proclaimed the greatest art deco building in the world was, drum roll please… The Daily Express Building on Fleet Street. The Grade II*-listed site, which was designed by Ellis & Clarke in 1932, features a tiered façade made mostly of vitrolite (a kind of opaque plastic glass). Lutyens writes that the outside is 'adorned only by gleaming, slimline chrome bands forming a subtle grid', but the inside is far more glam. 'Its lobby is sumptuously decorated', he says, picking out highlights such as steel furniture designed by Betty Joel and gold and silver murals by sculptor Eric Aumonier. 🏛️ The most beautiful buildings in the world. London was the only city in the ranking to boast more than one entry. The next highest placing structure was Eltham Palace, with the southeast London house placing sixth. Eltham Palace features both the remains of a Tudor palace and art deco additions from the 1930s, and you can find Time Out's guide to visiting the place here. Last from London to make the list was the Hoover Building in ninth. The Grade II* listed west London building was designed by Wallis, Gilbert and Partners and opened in 1933 as the UK headquarters of The Hoover Company. It's since been converted into apartments.
Time Out
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
100 years of art deco: The world's greatest art deco buildings
This year marks the centenary of a landmark Paris exhibition: Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels (International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts), in 1925. The term 'art deco' is a snappy derivation of its title. Deco – characterised by clean lines, bold geometric shapes and jazzy colours – was seen as thrustingly modern. And it had a global appeal: the Paris fair hosted exhibitors from 20 countries. I would argue that the movement had its roots in the 1910s (it was influenced by cubist art from the decade) and hit its peak in the 1920s and 30s. It manifested in all areas of culture, from homeware and jewellery to fashion and cars, but most famously in architecture. The style was rampantly eclectic, plucking inspiration from Aztec, Mayan, Egyptian, ancient Greek and Roman cultures. Deco got a second wind in the 1930s, with its equally popular, more sleek and pared-down iteration – streamline moderne. Arguably, art deco wasn't as ground-breaking as modernism – its decorative quality and figurative elements are unmistakably of their time. But the style's more avant-garde elements – its clean lines and simplicity – still feel contemporary and, tellingly, young designers are inspired by deco architecture today. Selecting the best examples of deco architecture is a tough call, but here's an expert's pick of nine of the finest examples from around the world. Dominic Lutyens is journalist and author specialising in architecture and design. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines and check out our latest travel guides written by local experts. 1. The Daily Express Building, London This Grade II*-listed building with a 1932 design by Ellis & Clarke, revised later by Owen Williams, is in the streamline moderne style. Its tiered façade with rounded corners is mainly made of Vitrolite (robust, opaque black glass), adorned only by gleaming, slimline chrome bands forming a subtle grid. Yet its lobby is sumptuously decorated: it was created by Robert Atkinson, who commissioned deco designer Betty Joel to dream up its steel furniture, while the walls are embellished with glistening gold and silver murals by sculptor Eric Aumonier. 2. The Chrysler Building, New York City Of Manhattan's early twentieth-century skyscrapers, the Chrysler Building is the most iconic and recognisably deco, thanks to its tower crowned by typically Deco sunburst motifs bubbling skywards. In my view, the sunburst pattern recalls radio waves, signalling modernity and technological progress. The building was designed by William Van Alen for Walter P Chrysler, head of the Chrysler Corporation, and was completed in 1930. While it may look simple, the tower is elaborately decorated, studded with eagle-shaped gargoyles and details inspired by Chrysler radiator caps. 3. Alex Theatre, Los Angeles Deco cinemas in the interwar years hugely popularised this aesthetic, given the new movie palaces mass appeal. The Alexander Theatre (later abbreviated to Alex Theatre) opened in 1925 as a venue for vaudeville performances and silent movies. Today it's a performing arts centre. It's very showy – aptly, given its proximity to Tinseltown. An obelisk, neon-lit by night, looms above the entrance. The ticket office leads to the lobby via a large, open-air forecourt inspired by Grauman's Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, a route that adds drama to the space. 4. Art Deco Historic District, Miami Thanks to Barbara Baer Capitman and her son, John – co-founders in 1975 of the Miami Design Preservation League – long-neglected deco architecture on South Beach was extensively renovated. This area contains the world's highest concentration of deco buildings (hotels, homes and shops), mostly built in the streamline moderne style, many in ice-cream pastels. Local architect Lawrence Murray Dixon dreamt up many of its hotels, such as the curvilinear Marlin of 1939 that boasts a façade in powder blue and buttermilk yellow. 5. Eros Cinema, Mumbai Deco architecture flourished in India, particularly in Mumbai. The country's burgeoning middle classes lapped up Western influences, commissioning residences, hotels and movie theatres in a deco style that nevertheless incorporated indigenous motifs, such as stylised peacocks. Businessman Shiavax Cawasji Cambata commissioned architect Shorabji Bhedwar to design the monumental Eros Cinema on Marine Drive in 1935. Its stepped façade pairs smooth ivory walls with the rich earthy brown of red Agra sandstone. Its opulent foyer has a boldly patterned black and white marble floor and Classical and Indian friezes. 6. Eltham Palace, London Originally built in the fourteenth century, Eltham Palace in southeast London was badly damaged during the Civil War. In 1933, Stephen Courtauld (a scion of the textile family) and his wife, Virginia, restored its medieval hall and added a new extension with a show-stoppingly glamorous deco interior, overseen by architects Seely & Paget. Designer Rolf Engström created its domed circular entrance hall. A black and gold door in the dining room is adorned with images of exotic beasts, including the couple's pet ring-tailed lemur, called Mah-Jongg. Virginia's breathtakingly ritzy bathroom had an onyx bath backed by a shimmering gold mosaic. 7. Palais de Tokyo, Paris This vast, complex building in Paris's 16th arrondissement comprises two wings connected by a colonnade, interlinked with a plaza, a rectangular pool and a fountain. It was designed for the 1937 International Art and Technical Exhibition by architects Jean-Claude Dondel, André Aubert, Paul Viard and Marcel Dastugue, and now houses twentieth-century and contemporary art. The imposing building with soaring columns is redolent of bombastic, nationalistic 1930s architecture but its predominantly stark aesthetic is softened by large ornate friezes of languid human figures by Alfred Auguste Janniot. 8. Central Fire Station, Auckland Auckland has a high quota of arresting deco buildings, including its Central Fire Station, designed by Daniel Boys Patterson and completed in 1944. As befits the building's functional character, the fire station is in the streamline moderne style – as were the residential units housing its live-in staff. This being a deco building, functionalism coexists with high style: its geometric façade is decorated with elegant fluted columns and zigzags, all painted a quintessentially deco eau-de-nil shade. 9. The Hoover Building, London This flamboyant Grade II*-listed building in West London borders the A40, and was designed by architects Wallis, Gilbert and Partners for The Hoover Company. It housed the vacuum cleaner maker's HQ and factory, and opened in 1933. Poet John Betjeman identified the flamboyant decoration on its exterior as Mayan and Aztec-influenced – such ornamentation was intended to be uplifting for employees. Said architect Thomas Wallis paternalistically: 'A little money spent in… decoration, especially colour, is not money wasted. It has a psychological effect on the worker.'
Mint
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Want to add some Art Deco into your wardrobe? Here's some inspiration
In fashion, the imagery that Art Deco conjures up is of straight lines, geometrical patterns such as the chevron print or scallops, impeccable symmetry and of rich, mysterious colours like gold and black. There's a sense of grandeur – very Great Gatsby-esque, if you will – that the Art Deco movement evokes, be it in architecture, furniture design or fashion. A movement that was launched at the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris, Art Deco celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. A design movement that drew inspiration from the industrialization and technical advancements of the years stacked between the two world wars, Art Deco was futuristic but at the same time it's practitioners also imbued it with motifs and icons from the 'ancient cultures of Egypt, Mesopotamia to Asia, Mesoamerica and Africa", according to online art magazine Artsper. While the 1920s and 30s were heady times for the movement, Art Deco's versatility has meant that it has constantly inspired architects, artists, and fashion and jewellery designers. As this round up of 'Deco' inspired fashion will show you, with its combination of sharp angles, pretty symmetry, luxurious fabrics and classic colours, it's a look that spells 'timeless'. CHAIN RULE Art Deco's straight lines lend themselves perfectly to handbags. And Kate Spade has an entire collection of special occasion bags themed around it. This Parisian navy-hued handbag from the label is done in pebbled leather and features signature K hardware on the magnetic purse closure along with an adjustable chain strap. Available on ₹34,070. Also read: Your guide to pinstriped dandy fashion inspired by Met Gala 2025 MIXED PRINTS Angular prints can offset a busy print. Bennch's Black Chanderi printed 'Zoey' Deco kurta set is a great example as it pairs the forest-printed kurta with deco-detailed pants. This one is a harmonious clash of patterns. Available on ₹18,900. DIAL BACK Teleport yourself to the Roaring Twenties, when Art Deco was at its peak, with this Vacheron Constantin watch. A recreation of a 1921 model, the watch's unique dial design allows a diagonal reading of the time without you needing to turn the wrist. How quirky is that. Available on ₹43.5 lakh. ZIGGY WITH IT Nothing says 'Art Deco' louder than the bold and irreverent chevron print. Add some of that zig-zag energy to your wardrobe with this velvet jacket from Jorah that features the chevron in brown, cream and olive green shades. Its a suave nod to the Deco revival of the 70s. Available on ₹12,000. Also read: Designer Anamika Khanna is hitting refresh GOLD EDGE Deco's love for symmetry lends itself perfectly to jewellery- inspiring designs that are edgy and minimalist. Give your traditional outfit a twist by pairing deco-inspired jewellery like this Rumeli recycled brass bangle from JJ Valaya. Plated with 22 karat gold, it features the house' signature chevron pattern juxtaposed with art deco motifs – all of them bedecked with over 11 karats of handpicked semi-precious stones. Available on ₹20,500. LACY SUZY FRAME's 'The Deco' shirt dress is a lovely throwback to the 1920s Flapper era. Made from guipure lace with scallops at the shirt collar and hem, the dress comes with a tonal slip that blends under the prettily corded motifs. Available on ₹51,190. DISCO DANCE Shoes so pointy they remind you of the Art Deco-themed Chrysler Building in New York… well, that's one way to describe these eye-catching flat slingbacks from the house of Alaïa. These silver-toned shoes are made from mirror effect laminated leather and come with a buckle strap on the back. Available on ₹1.37 lakh. PATCH MATCH Talk about geometric precision. Inspired by an unfinished quilt from the 1930s, this cotton-poplin shirt by BODE is patchworked in a geometric pattern called the 'Electric Fan' and is a smooth amalgam of two different prints. Available on ₹94,976. Also read: How to make knitwear cool for summer
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Art Deco: 100 years since the Paris exhibition that revolutionised modern design
On 28 April 1925, the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts opened in Paris. It was a landmark event in the evolution of art, architecture and design, and aroused great interest both for the works on display and for their impact. In interwar Spain, it was the most widely publicised event in architecture magazines, coinciding with a shift in the focus of these publications towards interior design and furniture. The exhibition has been a source of interest and inspiration ever since the Second World War, and the abundance of published works on it is a testament to its continued significance. It marked a turning point in the aesthetic conception of the period, one that deliberately sought to distance itself from historicism and emphasise originality and novelty in both artistic and industrial creations. The Paris Exhibition's lengthy gestation process generated great expectation. In 1911, René Guilleré, president of the Société des Artistes Décorateurs, proposed an international event that would reaffirm French supremacy in design, especially in the face of German competition. Approved in 1912, its celebration was originally slated for 1915. However, it was delayed by the First World War, and did not actually occur until 1925. Throughout this period, the exhibition was widely advertised in the press and specialist magazines, creating the opportunity to produce a new style. The idea of innovation was reflected in the exhibition's guidelines, which required works to be previously unpublished, and excluded any reproduction of historical styles. Its fourth article expressly stated that only works of 'new inspiration and real originality' would be accepted, prohibiting copies and imitations from the past. While it aimed to encourage a new aesthetic language in line with social and technological change, this guideline sparked debate over the interpretation of 'modern'. The lack of clear criteria led to arbitrary decisions. The exhibition therfore became a scene of tension between designers who embraced the radical avant-garde and those that, without renouncing modernity, maintained certain links with traditional styles. For more conservative architects and designers, the show represented the culmination of a style that had been in the making since the beginning of the 20th century. It was instrumental in the international dissemination of the '1925 style' as it was then known. It was only in 1966, at the retrospective exhibition 'Les Années 25', held at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, that this style became known as Art Deco. Most of the French and other European pavilions interpreted modernity as an expression of the style of the time, often fused with local elements. The Spanish pavilion was a prime example: designed by Pascual Bravo, it drew clear inspiration from the traditional styles of Andalusia. Although the exhibition excluded historical styles, folk art – along with a range of other references such as exoticism, cubism, French neoclassicism and machinery – was incorporated into many projects. This demonstrated the diversity of approaches within Art Deco, where low-relief decoration and geometric motifs predominated. However, the avant-gardists considered that the exhibition reinforced a decorative approach far removed from true modernity. The Belgian architect Auguste Perret, for instance, claimed that real art did not require decoration. For his part, Swiss architect Le Corbusier's book L'Art décoratif d'aujourd'hui (The Decorative Art of Today), criticised the notion of a 'modern decorative art', and stated that true modernity should not include ornamentation – an idea that the Austrian Adolf Loos had already put forward years earlier. Indeed, the Le Corbusier-designed L'Esprit Nouveau pavillion clashed with the exhibition's predominant Art Deco style, as did Konstantin Melnikov's Soviet pavilion and Aleksandr Rodchenko's workers' canteen. These works shocked the public and critics by presenting a radically different vision of modernity. One hundred years after its inauguration, the Paris Exhibition remains a milestone in the history of design. Its impact transcended the purely aesthetic, and it consolidated Art Deco as the one of the century's great decorative styles. It also served as a stage for the emergence of the Modern movement, whose rationalist ideas would transform the design of the future. Later examples of Deco's influence included the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building and chairs designed by Jacques Émile Ruhlmann, while Modern design gave us the clean lines of the Ville Savoye, the Bauhaus building in Dessau and furniture by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand. The coexistence of these two visions in the exhibition highlighted a key debate that still resonates today: the balance between tradition and innovation in design. Beyond its role in defining styles, the exhibition raised fundamental questions about the relationship between art and industry, the function of ornament, and the need to connect design with social demands. These tensions are still relevant today, where the challenges of combining creativity and industrial production persist. The 1925 exhibition was therefore not only a showcase for the aesthetic change of its time, but a pivotal moment that continues to inspire contemporary design. Its legacy invites us to reflect on the nature of modernity, and how it evolves over time. Este artículo fue publicado originalmente en The Conversation, un sitio de noticias sin fines de lucro dedicado a compartir ideas de expertos académicos. Lee mas: Bauhaus and The Brutalist: the revolutionary immigrant architects whose stories inspired the film Balenciaga and the influence of abstract art The New Yorker at 100: how bold, illustrated and wordless covers helped define the iconic magazine This article is part of the DISARQ project 'Aportaciones desde la arquitectura a la teoría, la pedagogía y la divulgación del diseño español (1925-1975)' ('Architecture's contributions to the theory, pedagogy and dissemination of Spanish design, 1925-1975') (PID2023-153253NA-I00), financed by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 FEDER, EU. María Villanueva Fernández y Héctor García-Diego Villarías are the project's lead researchers. Héctor García-Diego Villarías receives public funding for the DISARQ research project, which were obtained through a competitive open call.
