Art Nouveau buildings in Tasmania are quite rare to come by, especially commercial buildings, there is a wonderful industrial one in Launceston, the interior fittings are amazing in it.
I don't really want to question your knowledge of Tasmanian buildings Thomas, and you have picked up my mistakes before but I'm fairly sure this is in Harrington Street, Hobart. Is there a similar one in Launceston?
In very simplistic terms I would say that Nouveau usually has more organic forms of decoration. Often floral themes with intertwining stems or roots. I see the decoration on Wignall's Building as a stylised flower or tree. Deco, on the other hand tends to use more simple motifs, often very simple geometric shapes but they can also be quite naturalistic like those on the Chanin Building in NYC or stylised like the figures at the Gare Centrale in Montreal.
MELBOURNE ART DECO
In 2009 Robin Grow published a book on Melbourne Art Deco, with images largely supplied by David Thompson. The book quickly sold out and he is pleased to say that it has now been re-published by Brolga Press, with updates, errors corrected and a new cover.
Best of all, it is selling for about $25 in the shops and on-line. Art Deco & Modernism Society members can purchase a copy from me for $22, (includes postage within Australia). For overseas orders please email for postage rates. Contact me at robingrow@ozemail.com.au if you are interested, and advise if you would like the book to be dedicated and/or signed.
Art Nouveau buildings in Tasmania are quite rare to come by, especially commercial buildings, there is a wonderful industrial one in Launceston, the interior fittings are amazing in it.
ReplyDeleteI don't really want to question your knowledge of Tasmanian buildings Thomas, and you have picked up my mistakes before but I'm fairly sure this is in Harrington Street, Hobart. Is there a similar one in Launceston?
DeleteWhat is, according to your opinion, common to and different between Nouveau and Deco?
ReplyDeleteIn very simplistic terms I would say that Nouveau usually has more organic forms of decoration. Often floral themes with intertwining stems or roots. I see the decoration on Wignall's Building as a stylised flower or tree. Deco, on the other hand tends to use more simple motifs, often very simple geometric shapes but they can also be quite naturalistic like those on the Chanin Building in NYC or stylised like the figures at the Gare Centrale in Montreal.
Delete