The epitome of Art Deco is pristinely encapsulated in South Beach – with no shortage of replicas idealizing the understated elegant glamour of functional modernism.
It’s nearly impossible to not pickup on its common themes without even an ounce of education. The minimalistic clean lines, series of 3s, chevron patterns, and sunburst motifs, are what’s noticeable from the peripheral view. However, studying the materials which give the illusion of higher quality substraights is worth an intriguingly closer look.
A recent business trip to Miami instantly reminded me of how much I learned and came to appreciate about its craftsmanship. Amazing - the ingenuity which birthed incredible resourcefulness during the Great Depression.
A few examples include:
Simulating fine Italian marble by way of crushing shells which were in no shortage along the Miami Coast, and loosely swirled through concrete-like material just enough to mimic veins.
Terrazzo was originally invented by Venetian construction workers as a low cost flooring material using marble chips from upscale jobs. The finished product is composed of marble chips sprinkled on top of wet concrete, then sanded to a perfect polish. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrazzo
Brain Coral railings and columns are not uncommon. Because of its densely packed composition, brain coral were utilized as a sturdy support with decorative appeal.
This era in history is perfectly encapsulated, and a reminder that things are not always what they seem. Certainly a charge to take a closer look at the world around us, and challenge ourselves to be entrepreneurial with our available resources.
The Painted Memory
Www.thepaintedmemory.com
South Beach has such amazing architecture and design. You captured it perfectly with your watercolor and photos. Thanks for the mini tour!
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