By Steven Heller
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, a landmark event held in Paris that gave name to the Art Deco style. The most diverse and eternal design movement of the 20th/21st centuries, it popularized sleek geometric shapes, bold linear designs and vibrant colors.
Tomorrow, the Sarasota Art Museum opens Art Deco: The Golden Age of Illustration, on view through March 29, 2026. The exhibition of 100 posters from the 1920s and 1930s—featuring subjects ranging from automobiles, airlines and ocean liners to drinks and tobacco—offers insight into the international growth of consumpion. Initially, Art Deco’s stylized forms symbolized wealth and luxury, signaling a pivotal shift in design preferences. The curator of the exhibition, Rangsook Yoon, took some time prior to the opening to explain the unprecedented popularity of a style that was equally ubiquitous commercially as it was for promoting political ideologies.
I’m always excited to see how Art Deco and modernistic design is interpreted in today’s context. What is your rationale for the exhibition?
We are excited to be part of the worldwide centenary celebrations of Art Deco, marking a new chapter for Sarasota Art Museum as we expand our exhibition offerings beyond contemporary art to include modern art and design shows. As a six-year-old institution, Sarasota Art Museum remains nimble and responds to the needs and interests of our growing regional audiences. This expansion of our exhibition scope underlines our commitment to enriching the cultural lives of our community.
This exhibition also taps into strong local connections and promises institution-wide impact. The majority of the works are from collectors and Sarasota residents William W. and Elaine Crouse. Their Art Deco collection, which includes posters and decorative objects ranging from cocktail shakers to sculptural works, ranks among the finest in private hands. Visitors will also see furniture from The Wolfsonian-Florida International University in Miami Beach. In addition, the exhibition provides invaluable opportunities for students at Ringling College of Art and Design, especially those majoring in graphic design and illustration. We invite them to utilize the exhibition to understand the Art Deco movement and aesthetics and draw creative lessons from these timeless works.