Design 1935-1965: What Modern Was

A comprehensive survey of the decorative arts from 1935 through 1965 but unfortunately I was disappointed by the editorial arrangement of this book. It is basically encyclopaedic in nature but the editors decided to split it into the following chapters, Streamline Modern, Biomorphic modern, Modern historicism, Postwar modernism, Modern pattern and ornament, Expressionist modern and finally Beyond Modern. Many of the artists mentioned, of course, easily drop into one or more of these periods. For example, Finnish designer Timo Sarpaneva's work is featured three times, vases from 1950 and 1953 and a 1955 glass decanter, each is pictured and described in detail with additional related information and at the back of the book is his biography. I really feel it would have been more appropriate to have each artist's work and bio in one place and the essays, defining the various styles, together at the front of the book. I was impressed by the range of the artists and designers covered in this survey, not just the fine arts of Miro and Dali but also the graphics of Herbert Matter and Milton Glaser and even the creative contributions of companies like Herman Miller and Polaroid. The authors have rightly considered all aspects of mid-century creativity. The scope of the book is North American and Europe but if you want to concentrate on America have a look at the two volume, 'The American Century: Art and Culture' (1900-1950 ISBN 0393047237 and 1950-2000 ISBN 0393048152) by Barbara Haskell and Lisa Phillips. I found these two books very comprehensive in their coverage and also visually quite stunning to look at with their hundreds of illustrations. ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.