Modernism is a roughly 100 year period beginning in the late 19th century that saw major changes in art and culture. [1] It began as a rejection of academic traditions with the development of realism and photography, questioning what constitutes "truth" in art. [2] Modernism ends after World War II as artists became disillusioned with its promises, leading to the rise of Postmodernism. [3] During this period, art movements progressed from Impressionism through Cubism, Abstract Expressionism, Dadaism and Surrealism, reflecting a shift from an emphasis on objective truth to a world focused on individual experience and perception.
1. MODERNISM DEFINED
A roughly 100 year period beginning with
Realism
Courbet rejects the Academy
Invention of Photography demands a new style of
“truth” in painting
Ends with WWII
When modernists become disillusioned with the
hopes and broken promises of Modernism
Leads to Postmodernism!
3. M ODERNISM MOVES FROM A …
Truth Centered World of
Meta-
World Individuation
Narrative is a
“little story”, 1. Existence of 1. Meta-narratives
but it is one
meta-narratives collapse
that explains
human
experiences 2. God as creator 2. Individual is creator
through
religion, 3. Truth is absolute 3. Truth is contextual
political
theory,
historical 4. There is order to 4. Order is false; the
discourse the world world is disordered
4. E XAMPLES OF M ETA -N ARRATIVES
LIGHT
Pre-Modernism Modernism
The Sun was created by God Light does not, in fact, exist
The Sun (and so God) gives “Light” is my eyes’
us light
perception of electric and
Light is a symbol for life, magnetic fields
divine
So I am the Creator of
“light”
MODERN SCIENCE CHANGED Light will become a
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT modern symbol for the
LIGHT
individual
5. E XAMPLES OF M ETA -N ARRATIVES
COLOR
Pre-Modernism Modernism
Color comes from natural Color does not, in fact, exist
materials created by God
“Color” is my eyes’ perception
Colors can combine to create of electric and magnetic fields
other colors to create the colliding with objects of
illusion of reality different electric and magnetic
makeup
God is the creator, the artist is
an imitator of God’s reality So I am the Creator of “color”
Light is a symbol for life, divine Color will be used more
subjectively, with more
MODERN SCIENCE CHANGED consideration of the science of
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT color, and more emotionally
COLOR
6. MODERNISM
Some artists Focuses on the World of Individuation
will face
Modernism
with
confidence—
Monet.
Other will
face it with
anxiety—Van
Gogh.
