About this episode

This episode explores the emergence and significance of Art Deco, its impact on American identity, and its representation in various media.

Art Deco is an art and design style relevant from the 1920s to 1930s that is best characterized by its use of metallic colors, geometric patterns, futuristic forms, and references to ancient civilizations. It is the most celebrated of all of the design styles that can be grouped under Interwar Modernism, but what makes it so popular? On this week’s episode of Silent Generation, Nathan and Sebastien begin by charting Art Deco’s emergence in France to its eventual dissemination at the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris. They then detail two Art Deco skyscrapers (the Carbide & Carbon Building and the Guardian Building) before delving into a conversation about Art Deco and American identity. The episode rounds out with an analysis of Art Deco in three pieces of media: Bioshock (2007), Nightmare Alley (2021), and Metropolis (1927). Links: Art Deco Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/silentgeneration/art-deco/ Art Deco of the 20s and 30s by Bevis Hillier (1968) Art Deco Architecture: Everything You Need to Know as the Style Turns 100 by By Katherine McLaughlin and Elizabeth Stamp Art Deco: Everything You Wanted to Know Ep. 110…

People in this episode

Hosts: Nathan, Sebastien

Topics covered

• Art Deco
• Interwar Modernism
• American identity
• design styles
• media analysis

Keywords

• Art Deco
• design style
• Interwar Modernism
• skyscrapers
• media analysis

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Art Deco Pinterest board, Art Deco of the 20s and 30s by Bevis Hillier, Art Deco Architecture: Everything You Need to Know as the Style Turns 100 by By Katherine McLaughlin and Elizabeth Stamp, Art Deco: Everything You Wanted to Know

Books & works: Bioshock, Nightmare Alley, Metropolis

Places: France, Buffalo City Hall, Stoclet Palace, Carbide and Carbon Building, Guardian Building

More episodes of Silent Generation

• Ep. 102: Soft Countriana w/ Evan Collins · April 21, 2026 · 1h 24m
• Ep. 101: Water Transportation [TEASER] · April 14, 2026 · 5 min
• The Silent Generation Thesis · April 7, 2026 · 3 min
• Ep. 100: Witch House 2 w/ Pictureplane · April 7, 2026 · 58 min
• Ep. 99: Rockabillies · March 30, 2026 · 1h 1m
• Ep. 97: Early Skyscrapers · March 16, 2026 · 1h 11m

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