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"The first impression of the Exhibition is startling. Passing through the silver obelisk-like towers of the Port d’Honneur, one comes at once upon a cubist dream city, or the projection of a possible city in Mars, arisen overnight in the heart of Paris. "

Second in a 3-part series on the 1925 Paris exposition, the "Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Moderne", that sparked a world-wide explosion of the glamorous and much-loved Art Deco style.   In this episode I discuss how Paris battled to regain its position as style leader of the Western world against the challenge of foreign innovators such as the Deutsche Werkbund, culminating in the 1925 Paris Exposition.

To explore further:

• Article on the Thonet Number 14 chair
• Article on the Deutsche Werkbund
• Article on Peter Brehens, one of the founders of the Werkbund
• Article on the AEG Turbine Hall, one the pioneers of modern factory design
• Article of the 1910 Salon d'Automne
• More photos of the Deutsche Werkbund exhibits at the 1910 Salon d'Automne
• Jean Metzinger's Cubist painting Nu a la cheminee
• Comprehensive article by Arthur Chandler on the 1925 Paris Exhibition
• Photos of the 1925 Paris Exhibition
• Film "Paris a Cinq Jours", ("Paris in 5 Days"), silent comedy from 1925.  Contains actual footage of the 195 Paris expo at 40.49 minute mark

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Photo credit:  Thonet Number 14 Chair, thonet.com.au/products/no-14-vienna/