The End of Art Deco

Like all things, the halcyon of Art Deco came to an end. When World War Two broke out, the highly adorned Art Deco designs that had captivated America for the past several years were considered overly opulent and unnecessary in a culture that was facing rationing and a global conflict. However, Art Deco lives on. Much of contemporary architecture features glass blocking and metal. And, of course, skyscrapers continue to be built to this day. However, Art Deco’s most important legacy is the culture it helped build. Even decades after the decline of Art Deco, buildings such as the Empire State Building are synonymous with the American urban experience, especially in areas like New York and Florida, where there were many Art Deco buildings.