What Art Déco can teach a Europe in crisis, 100 years later

Brussels – It feels like the 1920s all over again in Europe. How many times have we said this in recent years—especially in the past few months? An economic crisis driven by ultra-capitalism has widened the gap between the ever-wealthier elite and the rest of society. Far-right political forces are gaining ground with their divisive rhetoric. And now, war looms ever closer.

As 2025 begins to mirror 1925, we should consider the world of culture, starting with Art Deco—a movement that, exactly 100 years ago, reached its height at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts. Though its message ultimately failed, this artistic style offers a lens through which to reflect on Europe’s recent history and ensure that, in these uncertain and fearful times, we do not repeat the mistakes of a century ago.

What is Art Deco?

“At the 1925 International Exhibition in Paris, Art Deco was formally distinguished from other styles such as Modernism, Bauhaus, and Art Nouveau,” explains Amaury De Smet, co-director of Explore Brussels, in an interview with The New Union Post. Since 2001, this network of cultural associations has organised the BANAD Festival, a cultural event dedicated to rediscovering Art Nouveau and Art Deco across the EU capital.

A movement spanning visual arts, architecture, and design, Art Deco flourished in Europe during the 1920s, defined by its clean lines, elegance, and embrace of social and technological progress. “It was an atmosphere, a trend shaped by a fusion of influences,” De Smet highlights.

Art Deco is defined by two key characteristics. Firstly, “it was the first truly global style,” spreading from Paris, Brussels, and Berlin to New York, Rio de Janeiro, and Shanghai. Secondly, “it was a style that permeated all levels of society,” as the co-director of Explore Brussels notes: “While the wealthiest could commission sculptures in ivory and gold, the same designs were adapted using cheaper materials, making them accessible to a wider public.”

Though Brussels is better known for Art Nouveau, with its “over 2,000 references, from grand buildings to bar counters,” it remains a “significant” centre for Art Deco in Europe, largely due to its historical and geographical context. In the early 20th century, Belgium was one of the world’s largest economy, “and its industrial wealth allowed for the creation of magnificent buildings.”

This legacy is at the heart of the 2025 BANAD Festival, which will celebrate Art Deco’s centenary with tours of remarkable locations—many typically closed to the public—showcasing its lasting impact on contemporary design and architecture. The foundations of Art Deco, De Smet points out, were already visible in Brussels “as early as 1911,” while this style “did not end in 1925—it continued to evolve and still shapes contemporary architecture and design.”

A familiar context

A century later, Art Deco remains relevant in a time of economic, social, and political uncertainty. After the devastation of the First World War, industry came to be seen as a force of destruction. As a result, two opposing perspectives emerged in the 1920s: “One advocating for a rejection of industrial progress,” as De Smet recalls, “while a more modernist approach sought to reshape perceptions by producing affordable, mass-produced furniture and preventing another war.”

However, this effort ultimately failed, as the Second World War erupted just years later. Yet what remains particularly relevant today is the parallel with artificial intelligence and our evolving perception of technology—once again being wielded for destruction and war. As De Smet warns, “we face a similar dilemma: technology has created a world that feels increasingly uncertain—how can we avoid repeating the mistakes of the past?“

From a design perspective, there are also lessons to be drawn. In the 1920s, while Art Nouveau was on the way out and sought to reconnect with nature “to feel safe,” Art Deco embraced straight lines, simple compositions, and symmetry “to bring order to a complex and chaotic world,” the co-director of Explore Brussels explains. “This offers much food for thought in our own time.”

The economic crash of 1929 can be compared to the 2008 financial crisis, with striking similarities between the socio-political climate of the 1920s and today. While globalisation—”an idea rooted in the Art Deco era”—now defines our everyday lives, “we are witnessing increasing societal polarisation, with growing inequality, much like in the 1920s.” Furthermore, after both economic crashes, we have seen not only the rise of far-right parties but also renewed discussions of war in Europe. “The context feels familiar—but this time, we hope for a different outcome,” De Smet warns, reflecting on the challenges we must face to avoid repeating the mistakes of a century ago.