1. Celebrate the centenary of the 1925 Paris Expo

In 1925, 16 million visitors visited Paris's International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts.They were treated to 15,000 exhibits from 20+ different contributing nations including Britain, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Japan. These nations also built substantial pavilions to illustrate their ideas of modern architecture and to house the various exhibits.  We will study some of these exhibits which will include furniture by Emile-Jacques Rulhmann; glassware by René Lalique; modern period sculpture by François Pompon and paintings by the artist Jean Dupas.

We will also focus on the stately Grand Salon of the Hotel du Collectionneur that was a principal feature at this 1925 exhibition and showcased stunning examples of objets d’art, furniture, crystal and fine art. Learn also about the profound impact of this Expo on future generations - the bold Art Deco style is very much alive.

2.British Art Deco Architecture

Our love affair with civic and domestic buildings of the 1920s and 1930s will be examined - looking at hotels, restaurants, tube stations and other public and private buildings. Think  of  such buildings as Du Cane Court, Claridge's, Eltham Palace, and the former Daily Express Building in Fleet Street. And of course we continue our love affair with Batterswa Power Station, with its recent restoration.

3. From Claridges to the London Underground: the Life and Work of Textile Designer Marion Dorn

This lecture introduces us to the creative designs and colours used by Marion Dorn, which dazzled the eyes! 

Dorothy Todd,  Editor of the magazine British Vogue, brought Dorn to public attention in 1925, christening her the ‘architect of floors’. Renowned for her ’sculpted rugs’, seen in many Art Deco and Modernist buildings, she received many commissions from the 1920s to the 1960s, including designs for the Savoy Hotel Group in London, Eltham Palace, the London Underground and the White House in Washington DC. 

Dorn also produced wallpaper and graphics, having studied graphic design at Stanford University prior to coming to live and work in London. We will explore her extraordinary career and position her place as a designer whose name should be for ever enshrined in the history books of British 20th century Art Deco.

Note: During the day, there will be an opportunity to handle some Art Deco artefacts.