Modernism: Breaking away from tradition and creating art for a new era

From the end of the 19th century to the 20th century, Western society experienced major changes such as the Industrial Revolution, urbanization, and world wars. In the art world, a movement was born that sought to overturn previous traditions and values ​​and express a new era. This movement was called Modernism. Modernism influenced various fields such as painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, music, theater, and film, and emphasized experimentation, innovation, and individual expression. In this article, we will explain the characteristics and historical background of Modernism, representative artists and works, and its influence on the present day. artgraph.jp sells posters that faithfully reproduce the masterpieces of modernist masters using high-definition giclee prints. Why not decorate your room with the new world of art created by Modernism and feel the dynamism of the 20th century?

What is Modernism? - Breaking away from tradition and innovation

Modernism is a broad movement in art and culture that developed mainly in Europe and America from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. Born from criticism of rationality and tradition after the Enlightenment, it reflected the new spirit of the times and changing social realities. Modernism influenced not only art, but also various fields such as literature, music, architecture, design, and philosophy. Modernist artists and thinkers sought to create a new era through art by rejecting the past and orienting to the future. They actively adopted new materials and techniques and placed emphasis on experimentation and innovation. They also respected individual expression and subjective experience, and pursued freedom and autonomy in art.

The characteristics of modernism include:

• Breaking away from tradition: Modernist artists rejected past traditions and styles and sought new ways of expression. They rejected the authority of the Academy in art and pursued free expression. Picasso's Cubism was a revolutionary style that overturned the traditions of Western painting, such as perspective and realism, and used multiple perspectives and geometric forms.
• Innovation and Experimentation: Modernist artists actively adopted new materials and techniques, placing emphasis on experimentation and innovation in art. Kandinsky's abstract art was a new attempt to eliminate representational subjects and express emotions and spirituality using only color and form. Mondrian's De Stijl pursued geometric abstract art composed of simple elements such as horizontal and vertical lines and primary colors.
• Individual Expression: Modernist artists valued individual expression and subjective experience. They sought to express their own inner world and unique perspective through art. Munch's "The Scream" expressed modern man's feelings of anxiety and alienation. Joyce's novel Ulysses used the stream of consciousness technique to depict the inner world of his characters.
• Social Engagement: Some modernist artists tried to commit to social issues through art. They created works that addressed issues such as war, poverty, and inequality, and called for social justice and change. Picasso's "Guernica" is a monumental work that indicts the tragedy of the Spanish Civil War. Dostoevsky's novel "Crime and Punishment" explores human existence through the themes of poverty and crime.

History of Modernism - A Turbulent Period from the Late 19th Century to the Mid-20th Century

Modernism was born in a time of some of the most dramatic change in world history, from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. The Industrial Revolution brought about an age of mass production and mass consumption, dramatically changing people's lifestyles. Urbanization caused population concentration and social problems. Furthermore, two world wars destroyed the Euro-centric global order, bringing great anxiety and pessimism to people. Modernism is a movement that, against the backdrop of such changing times, aimed to break away from tradition and explore new forms of expression.

Modernism influenced many fields, including painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, music, theater, and film. In painting, a variety of styles emerged, including impressionism, post-impressionism, Fauvism, Cubism, Futurism, Expressionism, and abstract art. In architecture, modern architecture developed, with its emphasis on functionality and rationalism. In literature, new techniques were used, such as stream of consciousness and interior monologue. In music, experiments were made with atonality and serialism.

Modernist artists and their works

Modernism has many great artists, some of the most famous being Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandinsky and James Joyce.

• Pablo Picasso: Spanish painter and sculptor. One of the founders of Cubism. Created many masterpieces that represent 20th century art, including "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" and "Guernica."
• Wassily Kandinsky: A Russian painter and pioneer of abstract art. He created works such as "Composition VIII" and "On White II" that expressed emotion and spirituality using only color and form.
• James Joyce: Irish author who revolutionized modern literature with novels such as Ulysses and Finnegans Wake, which used new techniques such as stream of consciousness and interior monologue.

The influence of modernism in the modern era

Modernism continues to have a major impact on art and culture in the second half of the 20th century and beyond. Postmodernism is a movement that criticizes the rationality and universality of modernism and emphasizes diversity and pluralism. However, postmodernism also inherits the spirit of experimentation and innovation of modernism. The legacy of modernism lives on in various forms in contemporary art. Modernism is an important turning point in art history, and its impact is immeasurable. Modernist artists and thinkers explored new ways of expression and greatly expanded the possibilities of art. Their legacy will continue to inspire artists and thinkers and contribute to the development of art.

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