French Art Deco Poster for I.C.A.R, Aviation Concourse 1922

French Art Deco Poster for I.C.A.R, Aviation Concourse in Rotterdam,  1922. The design is “on the cusp” of both Art Nouveau and Art Deco and the image is quite rare. The colors are rich and bright and it has been professionally mounted on linen backing.  One can only imagine how thrilling it must have been to witness these very early airplane flight exhibitions!

The choice of a winged man/angel in gold is a curious one for this reason.  While the initials ICAR represent the Internationale Concourse Aviatique Rotterdam, it also visually evokes the name ICARUS and the image as well.  Icarus was the god like man with waxen wings who fell to earth as his wings melted from flying too close to the sun.

Whether or not the reference to Icarus was intentional, its an interesting choice for an icon of an air show.  There are different interpretations of the Icarus myth,. For some it represents over-zealous, overambitious “reaching for the sun”which is doomed to fail. For others  it signifies man’s  loftiest goals and highest (if not always attainable) aspirations.

Designed by Dutch Artist Job Denijs

 The Concourse Aviatique Internationale , Rotterdam 1922

Spectators at the Concourse, Rotterdam 1922