Arts, Crafts And Entertainment

History

The earliest known structure on the site was the Convent of Santa Isabel, whose church was built in 1680. However, significant Aztec finds, such as a sacrificial altar in the shape of a plumed serpent have been found here. The convent area suffered frequent flooding during the early colonial period and development here grew slowly. In spite of this, the convent remained until it was forcibly closed in the 1860s by the Reform Laws. It was replaced by a textile mill and lower-class housing.

Facade of the Palacio

A section of this housing, on Santa Isabel Alley, was torn down and replaced by the National Theater in the latter 19th century. During the late 19th century and very early 20th, this theatre was the site of most of Mexico City high culture, presenting events such as theatre, operettas, Viennese dance and more. It was then decided to replace this building with a more opulent one for the upcoming Centennial of Mexican Independence celebrations in 1910. The old theatre was demolished in 1901, and the new theatre would be called the Gran Teatro de pera. The work was awarded to Italian architect Adamo Boari, who favored neoclassical and art nouveau styles and who is responsible for the Palacio del Correo which is across the street. Adamo Boari promised in October of 1904 to build grand metallic structure, which at that time only existed in the United States, but not to this size. The first stone of the building was place by Porfirio Daz in 1904. Despite the 1910 deadline, by 1913, the building was hardly begun with only a basic shell. One reason for this is that the project became more complicated than anticipated as the heavy building sank into the soft spongy subsoil. The other reason was the political and economic instability that would lead to the Mexican Revolution. Full hostilities suspended construction of the palace completely and Adamo Boari returned to Italy.

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Art Deco rugs encompass an infinite range of design possibilities. While other movements are defined by one overarching theme, Art Deco rugs incorporate influences from all over the world that are combined to create cosmopolitan pieces. Carpets created during the Art Deco era represent the best and most beautiful side of industrial design and globalization. By the 1920s, carpets were being made all over the world presenting buyers with an enormous selection of colorful and beautifully designed pieces that incorporated the latest innovations in construction, design and color theory.

The people who designed and wove Art Deco rugs were innovators who paved the way for mid-century designers, abstract artists and many contemporary design movements. At a time when commercial air travel was in its infancy, designers, importers and carpet traders provided a vital link between the east and west. The cultural diffusion that occurred in the early 1900s is ever present in Art Deco rugs. The creative atmosphere and historic design conditions of the Art Deco era resulted in a colorful melting pot that combined influences from all parts of the world.

The genres and styles that evolved in the Art Deco era are worlds apart. Art Deco carpets run the breadth of the spectrum from stoic masculine rugs with sharp geometry to feminine florals woven in contrasting pastels. In China, the vibrant jewel tone carpets manufactured for the explorer and entrepreneur extraordinaire Walter Nichols are in a league of their own while the rugs produced in England, Europe and Scandinavia were the pieces that led to the designation of the Art Deco or Art Decoratif term in the mid-1960s. Naturally, the influence of the British colonials in India also led of the creation of many phenomenal Art Deco rugs and installations in the country. By drawing from the past, present and future of design, Art Deco rugs embody a phenomenal combination of modernity and glamor.

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No home decorating scheme is complete without the addition of wall decor. Art on the walls can help pull a whole room together, accenting certain color schemes, underscoring a room's particular decor style, or providing a focal point for the entire look. People have varying ideas on what constitutes fine art as prints in this category run the gamut from post-Impressionistic to Asian to modern or abstract. Here are some ideas on how to find the best fine art prints to fit your home or office decor.

The Traditional Approach

If you're trying to achieve a more traditional or formal look in your home or office, easily recognizable fine art prints done by known masters make the perfect choice. A classic post-impressionism print such as Vincent van Gogh's "The Starry Night" (c. 1889) can add rich hues and therefore interest to a neutral decor, and the image's vibrancy and inherent movement render it a dynamic focal point for a room. Hang it by itself on a large neutral wall and then add other accents to the decor that pick up on the lush blues, yellows, and greens. Throw pillows, lamps, and other accessories make great additions to this color theme.

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When it comes to interior designing, we often leave it to the professionals. However, we have to remind ourselves that in the end, we are the ones to spend most of the day in the house being decorated or redesigned so we still have to be part of the design process. We should have the first and last say on the design to be followed – no matter how good the designer is.

The style of a house interior determines the art décor or decors to be embellished. All the items and furniture should complement with the entire theme. The personality and lifestyle of the house owner should always be taken into consideration in deciding how the interior will look.

Among the choices of a good interior design, the Art Deco has been proven to be an elegant pick (although it is indeed eclectic) of many satisfied home owners. An art décor following this style is considered to be contemporary and the history can very well explain why.

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If you favor or wish to begin collecting contemporary Indian art it is easy to do so with the options available to you on the internet. There you will find a listing and several options of the current and up and coming artists to watch. The pieces are beautiful and you can begin building your collection of your favorite pieces by your liking or by the liking of the artist, or both.

India is a country filled with history and culture. The artists from this territory are eclectic and dynamic in their choices of styles and mediums. From the European flair of the renaissance to the dynamic art deco design you can find an artist that is contemporary and depicts their vision of India through their artwork.

What many artists have in common is the dynamic and bold color palette they choose to use in their artwork. This can be seen in the depictions they create that are factual based or visions of their livelihood in their country. The colors present every day life or bold struggles that have in the past or are currently being delivered as their country evolves. All of this is brought to life in their vivid patterns and colors.

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