Art Nouveau 1890-1914

With the elegant, flowing lines of "art nouveau" so much a part of our urban landscape--especially in cities such as Paris, Vienna and Chicago--it's ironic that the movement originated as a revolutionary upheaval against the forces of industrialization at the end of the 19th century. In just 30 minutes this magnificent documentary explores the origins of art nouveau, the thematic influences of nature and psychology, and the impact of Japanese, Islamic and Celtic designs. Many of the objects seen here are from the "Art Nouveau 1890-1914" exhibition held at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and as one would expect, these pieces include works by such luminaries as Horta, Hoffmann, Mackintosh, Beardsley, Tiffany and Lalique. To add historical perspective, the program also includes archival footage from the period, including Edison films of the Paris World Fair of 1900 and views of architectural wonders from Berlin to Barcelona. Meticulously researched and exquisitely photographed, Art Nouveau is an educationally rewarding and entertaining viewing experience. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Reed)