Herald - Lantern - Dispatch 25 September '85 23

Antiques By Arthur H. Schwerdt

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If you want to see anything Art Deco in Cape May County, you will have to visit the shops. There used to be an electrical power substation in Cape May City built in the Deco style, but it was recently torn down. What does a power station have to do with home design and antiques? Well, look at what started it all in Paris in 1925: The International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts. The key word is industrial." THE NEW industrialists, made wealthy on the money which was poured into technology during World War I, had joined forces with European artists like French Cubists. Italian Futurists, and Ger-man-Swiss Dadaists. The purpose was to create a new look for the new century — an alternative to the over-ornate Victorian and other heavy European aristocratic styles. The result was a style so comprehensive that it could be found everywhere — from steam engines to salt and pepper shakers. JAMS* be Hawaiian JAMS* be Memphis JAMS' be Retro JAMS' be Floral JAMS' be Grafix JAMS' be Clash JAMS* be Fresh (■■■■■■■■■■a aaaaaaaaaaaa taaaaaaaaaaa CHEEKS BE JAMMING! aaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaa 101 OCEAN STREET CAPE MAY. NJ 08204 (609)884-8484 OatlOX>ePM 'SC Sun 9 308PU

THE DECO STYLE hit this country first in New York City and Miami Beach. The greatest examples in New York are the interior of the Radio City Music Hll, the RCA Building and. of course, the Chrysler Building. (Notice the association with technology.) There just happened to be a building boom in Miami at this time, especially in old Miami Beach along Collings Avenue. If you are in the area this winter. I can't recommend strongly enough that you visit the "Deco District." Much has been done to restore these magnificent hotels and other buildings to their 1920s and 30s splendor. MIDDLE AMERICA met Art Deco at the 1933-34 World's Fair in Chicago, called a "Century of Progress." The West Coast got its taste of Deco when it followed the movies to Hollywood. The next time you see an old 30s movie on TV, check out the furniture and the accessories. Of course, as soon as Deco made its screen debut, everybody had to have it. The energy of this new style was felt everywhere. Some say that the Deco Movement was the last great movement in design. Onlv time will tell. WHAT IS true is that Deco items are being bought up as if they were antiques, even though they are only 60 years old or less. Not only do people realize how valuable these items will be. but they also | love them — and who can blame them? | The Deco style seems to have totally passed by Cape May County It is part of our charm. Cape May City chose to remain Victorian. and our rural en

virons love to maintain their country charm Deco had more success in Atlantic City, but that city has undergone so many changes you would be hardpressed to uncover any of it. YOU WILL, however, find some interesting decorative objects in the Deco style in some of the local antique shops. Because there isn't the demand for Deco down here that there is in other areas of the country, some of the prices are really bargainleveL Look for cocktail shakers, ash trays, lamps, candlesticks, art objects, vases, clocks, vanity sets and small pieces of furniture. No matter what your personal preference or what style your decor, you should own some piece or pieces of this important period in the world of design. NEXT WEEK I'll talk about one of the most beautiful of all man-made materials — porcelain. There have been huge tomes written about porcelain. so we'll probably only be scratching the surface (if you'll pardon the expression). ( Arthur Schwerdt. coowner of The August Farmhouse. on Route 9 in Swain ton. invites questions c/o this newspaper. ) ' Federici Exhibit . COURT HOUSE - One Woman's Work, the Art of Mary Simkins Federici ( 17 original creations) will be on display at the County Library main floor through the end of October. Her specialties are watercolor and batik Federici gives private instruction in her studio and conducts teaching workshops at the Ocean City Arts Center, Cape May County Art League She is the youth art instructor for the Wildwood Recreation Department. The artist has been a resident of Cape May County for nine years and holds a double major. B.A degree from Glassboro College in painting and textile design. She has presented numerous one woman shows and participated in group shows; the highlight of which was selection of her art by the New Jersey State Museum to be inciud- _ ed in its biemndl exhibit of I New Jersey's rtists Blood Visit In Avalon AVALON - A Red Cross bioodmobile collection will be taken at the Avalon Community Center. 30th and Avalon Avenues. 1-6 p.m. Wednesday. Oct. 9. All eligible donors are urged to come out and donate a pint of blood. ( For more information or to schedule an appointment time, call the Red Cross at 646-7000 or come at your own convenience.

1 S/Main St., Cape May Court House Entrance On Mechanic St. 465-2155 Breakwater Plaza North Cape May -S- 884-1994 pa — Open 6 Days A Week q*. .«» . ^ ov <.

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