Art Deco Chicago: Designing Modern America explores and celebrates Chicago’s pivotal role in the development of modern American design. From everyday icons like the Sunbeam toaster and Schwinn bicycle to familiar beacons of the city skyline like the Board of Trade and Palmolive Buildings, Chicago was a national and international leader in the design that came to be known as “Art Deco. Art Deco Chicago: Designing Modern America”, to be published in Fall 2018, is the companion volume to the Chicago History Museum exhibition “Modern by Design: Chicago Streamlines America.”
Meet the Author/Editor: Robert Bruegmann
Thursday, November 29, 2018
Author Talk at 6 pm, Book Signing at 7 pm
Ruggles Hall. Free and open to the public. Registration required.
“Art Deco. Art Deco Chicago: Designing Modern America” includes:
- 5 essays by distinguished scholars offering new interpretations of twentieth-century modernism and the Art Deco Era
- 101 iconic Art Deco designs with insightful commentary from scholars, curators, and collectors
- 300 images including vintage illustrations and historic and commissioned photographs
Robert Bruegmann, the volume’s editor, is a historian and critic of architecture, landscape, preservation, urban development, and the built environment. He is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Art History, Architecture, and Urban Planning at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has written numerous books and articles, including the award-winning volume The Architects and the City: Holabird & Roche of Chicago, 1880-1918, the controversial Sprawl: A Compact History, and, most recently, The Architecture of Harry Weese. He is also a frequent lecturer, contributor to magazines and blogs, and guest on radio and television shows.
After his talk Bruegmann will sign copies of the book, which will be available for purchase. This event is cosponsored with the Newberry’s program in Chicago Studies. Your generosity is vital in keeping the library’s programs, exhibitions, and reading rooms free and accessible to everyone. Make a donation today.
The book Art Deco Chicago: Designing Modern America is funded in part by the Terra Foundation for the American Art as part of Art Design Chicago, an exploration of Chicago’s art and design legacy, an initiative of the Terra Foundation with presenting partner the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation. The publication of Art Deco Chicago is a major educational initiative of the Chicago Art Deco Society, a nonprofit organization. Proceeds from sales of Art Deco Chicago will be be used to support the ongoing public education, research, and preservation advocacy of this critical period of modern American design.
Cost and Registration Information
- Free and open to the public; registration required. Register online using this form by 3 pm Thursday, November 29.
- Doors open half an hour before the program begins, with first-come, first-served seating for registered attendees. If seats remain available, non-registered individuals will be permitted to enter about ten minutes before the event’s start.
- People with disabilities and other accessibility concerns can request to be seated first. To reserve an access-friendly space in the room, email publicprograms@newberry.org at least 48 hours before the event. Seats arranged in this way will be held until 10 minutes before the event starts.
Questions? Visit The Neberry Website for more information or contact The Newberry at publicprograms@newberry.org or 312-255-3610.
Looking to buy the book? ART DECO CHICAGO: DESIGNING MODERN AMERICA in on sale now! Order directly from Chicago Art Deco Society website
The book is also available at the following Chicago area retailers: (Please shop local!)
- The Book Table: Oak Park, IL
- Museum of Contemporary Art: Chicago
- Seminary Co-op: Chicago
- Mayuba: Chicago
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Book Stall: Winnetka, IL
Wonderful Sneak Peak Video of ART DECO CHICAGO:DESIGNING MODERN AMERICA