Modern Decor Interior Design: Contemporary Art

Much is written about the modern, contemporary design, contemporary style, contemporary functionality and contemporary art. The architecture and modern decor, including contemporary art, from the mid century modern period was about free thinking, breaking the rules and just plain being "out there." For those readers, not familiar with the mid century modern period, all you need to do is remember the television show -The Jetson's to acquire a quick understanding about the intent and purpose of the era. The Jetson's was about the future of modern, retro, contemporary home, life and contemporary art as seen through the design of the whole show. Everything in the modern home of the Jetson's was designed to be functional and mechanized with the purpose of making life easier.

For readers, who are familiar with the mid century modern period, names like as Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson, Edward Wormley, Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia and Jens Risom may be almost household friends. No self-respecting mid century modern contemporary home owner would decorate their home without an original treasure from one of these designers (and many others) or have at least a good copy of a designer piece. In addition, contemporary design buffs put an equal emphasis on accenting their contemporary era home with exemplary examples of contemporary art pieces.

Contemporary art, from the mid century modern period, was more than architecture and furniture. In fact, it was more than paintings and things to hang on walls. Contemporary art forms of the era were just about anything you could think of to use to accent indoor and outdoor environments. Contemporary art knew not boundaries in the mid century era. Art hung on walls, sat on tables and in foyers and were featured in the out of doors.

Modern Decor Interior Design: Two Contemporary Artists of Renown

There is no doubt that furniture is of utmost importance in mid century interior decor design, but the spirit of the decor of a mid century modern home would be lacking without a complement of outstanding contemporary art or artworks from the era. Some recognized artists of the mid century period are Jim Flora and John H. Nickerson.

Jim Flora was an extraordinary contemporary artists of the era. He was maybe best known for designing contemporary record album cover designs. He is particularly noted for his wild contemporary designs on jazz and classical albums produced by Columbia Records and for RCA Victor. His interests in contemporary art were varied as he wrote and illustrated 17 successful children's books such as: The Day the Cow Sneezed, The Talking Dog and the Barking Man and Stewed Goose.

Many fantastic contemporary works of art are attributed to Jim Flora including Mardi Gras Quartet screen prints , Little Rock Getaway and Big Evening and many, many more. Owning and displaying an original Jim Flora piece of contemporary art is an absolutely terrific way to complete the mid century decor you have started with contemporary designer furniture from the era. If you do not have the deep pockets it takes to own an original Flora, reproduction prints of his work may be the next best thing to the real thing.

John Nickerson became renowned for the glass designs he created while working at Blenko Glass during the 1950s. Nickerson was the design director for Blenko from 1970 to1974. He earned a BS degree from Montana State University and was conferred a MFA from Alfred University. While at Blenko, Nickerson was responsible for creating for the first contemporary designs to have what is called an internal colorway; which became known as the Charisma line. While working at Blenko, Nickerson designed over 150 different glass products. When he left Blenko he became faculty at the Georgian College of Art and Technology in Barrie, Ontario, Canada.

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