ThinkingWest Profile picture
Feb 27, 2024 9 tweets 3 min read Read on X
Art Deco is the incarnation of civilizational energy—the spirit of Achilles and Tesla in architectural form.

The ultimate style for high civilization... Image
Kenneth Clarke said:

“Vigour, energy, vitality: all the civilizations—or civilizing epochs—have had a weight of energy behind them.”

Art Deco embodies this vitality. Image
He claimed civilization had 3 enemies:

"First of all fear — fear of war, fear of invasion, fear of plague and famine, that make it simply not worthwhile constructing things, or planting trees or even planning next year’s crops."

Does this look fearful to you? Image
Art Deco often features exotic materials, such as ebony and ivory, and exquisite craftsmanship.

The fruits of a culture unafraid to try new things. Image
The next enemy is a lack of self-confidence. A culture regrets its past, stifling its ability to progress.

Art Deco's blocky, muscular designs show a civilization secure yet determined. Its aura is simultaneously ancient and futuristic.

A timeless spirit of crushing grandeur. Image
So many Art Deco designs look like they could be 5,000 years old. It's an artistic style that appreciates a civilization's past. Image
Finally Clarke warns against exhaustion:

"the feeling of hopelessness which can overtake people even with a high degree of material prosperity."

Art Deco's imagery is all about vitalism. God-like men, exalted maidens, mythical beasts—dreams of a civilization with a vision. Image
Art Deco embodies faith in social and technological progress.

It fosters a belief that the best is yet to come. Image
We need to be Art-Deco-maxing as a civilization.

It's the architectural style of a people who've triumphed—and aren't done yet. Image

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More from @thinkingwest

Apr 2
Machiavelli promoted a *realistic* approach to governance.

It didn’t always involve being nice.

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But there’s more — America’s entire ethos has Roman underpinnings…🧵 Image
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Mar 25
All empires repeat the same cycle, says 20th-century historian John Glubb.

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Mar 19
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Who were they?🧵 Image
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Here’s why...🧵(thread) Image
Born around 287 BC, Archimedes was an inventor, mathematician, astronomer, and engineer from the city of Syracuse in Sicily.

Very little is known of Archimedes’ life other than his discoveries and inventions, of which there were many. Image
The ancient historian Polybius was the first to reference Archimedes about 70 years after his death, describing various war machines that the inventor built including catapults, a giant crane that destroyed ships, and various stone-throwing machines. Image
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