Art Deco architectural photography workshop in Bucharest
Together with Dragos Dogaru (BMAD.com) and Monica (@motographybymbn) for the participants of the group "Romania through the lenses of expats" we held a wonderful workshop dedicated to the Art Deco architecture.
The first part was held on January 18 guided by Dragos, the second part of the workshop was on January 22.
The architectural part for the second day was prepared and explained by me, Monica was responsible for the technical part related to the selection of equipment, shooting techniques and the choice of angles for creative architectural photography.
So, what Art Deco is?
Art Deco – is a style of visual arts, architecture and design used between two World Wars (mostly in 1920 -1940 years).
In the interwar period it was cultural sunrise in Europe.
In the 1920s, Pablo Picasso, Diego Rivera, Erich Maria Remarque, Fitzgerald actively performed.
You may see the life of rich people of that period in the Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby novel.
And of cause everyone knows amazing film based on this novel with Leonardo Di Caprio in main role.
In 1922 was discoverd almost untouched tomb of Tutankhamun in Egypt. Everyday objects instantly inspired artists and architects in Europe.
Immediately elements of buildings (fe stepped upper floors) began to appear, many interior items and decorations.
During that period the car became an attribute of rich life. It is becoming fashionable to drive a car. Both men and women drive the car. Thanks to the latest aerodynamics researches, cepellins and cars get streamlined shapes. An aerodynamic line appears in architecture. You may find this aerodynamic line on many buildings in Bucharest (example see below in presentation)
France is considered to be the birthplace of Art Deco.
This style reached its peak in America with famous skyscrapers and their expensive interior decoration.
Art Deco is called the middle between chic and functionality.
It was a style for wealthy people who could afford to build mansions and skyscrapers. All interior items were created by masters manually for a specific project.
People used the latest technical achievements for their houses, such as hygiene facilities, electricity, lightning rods.
Bucharest at that period was recovering from occupation and again becomes the capital of Romania (in 1916-1918 capital was moved to Iasi).
In interwar period telefon network was put into operation, Romania starded regular radio broadcasting, Arc de Triomph was build and Herastrau park was opened.
Many interesting buildings in Art Deco style were build at that period.
Below you may find part of my presentation about Art Deco language.
About BMAD
This presentation was inspired and build on materials of website artdecobucharest.ro. Dragos Dogaru and his team developed outstandind resouce with detailed information about Art Deco heritage in Bucharest.
Here you may find all Art Deco buildings in Bucharest with detailed description.
I highly recommend this we site for all people interested in architecture.
Backstage from workshops
Thank you Nadia Marin for backstage pictures from day 1
Some other pics
Pictures from participants I will add a little bit later..