Art Deco Cruising

This is Architecture?
Lowe goes overboard

In this second lecture on the art deco architectural movement, Lowe proselytized on the wonderful years of luxury travel. Nostalgically, I can understand this viewpoint. But the early 1930s were a tough time for Americans given the stock crash and resulting depression. Yet the wealthy continued to enjoy a leisurely lifestyle, regal in execution. And I guess art and architecture benefited even if the majority of the world never saw such splendor. And I guess that is why I was rather disappointed in this lecture. Unlike buildings, the art deco of cruise liners was not evident via exterior views. And interior design is often lost to time and, more importantly, not appreciated by the public or even the masses. So Lowe went on and on about the fabulous art and interiors of the ships but pictures are scare and it is hard for me to relate to the significance of this work. Gone are the elements of this movement - not even a remnant remains in the current cruise industry. Perhaps this is why I would never want to buy a ticket on a typical cruise ship, but more likely it has to do with my public health concerns being trapped on such floating incubators. I signed up for this lecture hoping for discussions on such great New York art deco buildings like the Chrysler Building and Rockefeller Center. Instead I was stuck in Lowe's boat to nowhere.