Unit - 2 Trends and Movements (Th)

                           Trends and Movements 

This Blog is a part of the thinking Activity of the  trends and movements in this Blog .

1)Expressionism - (Add your class activity works - Painting, Poem, Photo ) 

3)Modernism and Postmodernism
4)Dada Movement - (Add your class activity works - Painting, Poem, Photo ) 

Expressionism :  

Expressionism was a literary and artistic reaction against realism and naturalism. Writers were interested in emotion and psychology.

Examples of Expressionist Literature
The Scream by Edvard Munch (1910): This iconic painting uses bold lines, expressive brushstrokes, and a distorted figure to convey feelings of anxiety, despair, and existential angst.

Modernism and Postmodernism : 

I. Modernism (Late 19th Century - Mid 20th Century)

In literature, visual art, architecture, dance, and music, Modernism was a break with the past and the concurrent search for new forms of expression. Modernism fostered a period of experimentation in the arts from the late 19th to the mid-20th century, particularly in the years following World War I.

A.    Key Characteristics:

Rejection of Tradition : 

Modernists aimed to break free from the established styles and conventions of the past, seeking a fresh start in art, literature, and philosophy. They challenged the dominance of classical forms and embraced experimentation with new techniques and expressions.

Emphasis on Individuality: 

Modernism valued the unique voice and perspective of the artist, placing importance on self-expression and exploration. This is evident in the rise of abstract art, where the artist's inner world takes center stage.

Search for Truth and Meaning: 

Despite rejecting the certainty of established traditions, many modernist works grappled with fundamental questions about the human condition, existence, and the purpose of life.

 This is seen in works like James Joyce's "Ulysses," which delves into the complexities of consciousness and identity.

Experimentation with Form:

 Modernists often experimented with novel forms and structures in their artistic endeavors. This involved breaking down traditional narrative structures in literature and pushing boundaries in visual arts with innovative approaches like cubism and surrealism.

Optimism and Progress:

 While acknowledging the challenges of the modern world, many modernist works expressed a sense of optimism and a belief in progress. This is exemplified in the architectural movement of modernism, which emphasized functionality, simplicity, and technological advancement.

B.    Examples:

Literature:

Virginia Woolf's "Mrs. Dalloway,"

T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land," 

James Joyce's "Ulysses," 

F. Scott Fitzgerald's 

"The Great Gatsby"

Visual Arts: 

Pablo Picasso's "Guernica," 

Vincent van Gogh's "Starry Night,

" Piet Mondrian's "Composition II in Red, Blue, and Yellow,"

 Henri Matisse's "The Dance"

Architecture: 

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Pavilion, 

Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater,

Le Corbusier's Notre Dame du Haut

Modernism: "Guernica" by Pablo Picasso (1937): A powerful anti-war painting depicting the bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. Its fragmented forms and use of black, white, and grey exemplify the modernist emphasis on experimentation and the expression of complex emotions.


Guernica by Pablo Picasso

"Fallingwater" by Frank Lloyd Wright (1939): This house exemplifies the modernist ideal of integrating architecture with nature. Its cantilevered design and use of natural materials reflect the emphasis on functionality and simplicity.


Fallingwater house by Frank Lloyd Wright

"The Great Gatsby" book cover (1925): 

The iconic cover art, often featuring vibrant colors and geometric shapes, evokes the era of the Jazz Age and the themes of modernity, wealth, and social decadence explored in the novel.


Great Gatsby book cover

II. Postmodernism (Mid 20th Century - Present)

Postmodernism is a late 20th-century movement in philosophy and literary theory that generally questions the basic assumptions of Western philosophy in the modern period (roughly, the 17th century through the 19th century).

A. Key Characteristics: 

Reaction to Modernism: 

Postmodernism emerged as a response to the perceived rigidity and exclusivity of modernism. It challenged the modernist emphasis on grand narratives, universal truths, and singular interpretations of reality.

Emphasis on Plurality and Fragmentation: 

Postmodernism embraces diversity of perspectives, acknowledging the multifaceted nature of reality and experience. This is reflected in various forms, such as the inclusion of marginalized voices in literature and the juxtaposition of contrasting styles in visual arts.

Skepticism and Irony: 

Postmodernism often adopts a skeptical stance towards grand narratives and absolute truth claims. Irony and playfulness are frequently employed to deconstruct established norms and highlight the constructed nature of meaning.

Intertextuality and Pastiche:

 Postmodern works often reference and reappropriate elements from diverse cultural sources, creating a sense of intertextuality and pastiche. This is evident in postmodern literature that draws upon and subverts various literary traditions and in visual arts that combine elements of different styles.

Self-Reflexivity and Metafiction: 

Postmodern works are often self-reflexive, drawing attention to their own construction and challenging the reader/viewer to question their assumptions about reality and representation. This is seen in novels that acknowledge the act of storytelling itself and in art installations that explicitly comment on the nature of art and its relationship to the world.

B. Examples:Literature: 

Salman Rushdie's "Midnight's Children,

" Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose," 

Toni Morrison's "Beloved," 

Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale"

Visual Arts: 

Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans, 

Jeff Koons' Balloon Dog, 

Keith Haring's Postmodernism:"Campbell's Soup Cans" by Andy Warhol (1962): This pop art masterpiece challenges the traditional notion of high art by elevating mundane consumer items to the status of art objects. It exemplifies the postmodernist themes of mass culture, irony, and the blurring of boundaries between high and low culture.

Campbell's Soup Cans by Andy Warhol
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao by Frank Gehry (1997): This deconstructivism building features a dynamic, curvilinear design that breaks away from traditional architectural styles. It embodies the postmodernist emphasis on challenging established norms and embracing individual expression.


Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
"Midnight's Children" by Salman Rushdie (1981): This novel's magical realist style, blending history and fantasy, exemplifies the postmodernist embrace of multiple perspectives and the questioning of traditional narratives.


Midnight's Children book cover

murals, 

Damien Hirst's "The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living"

Architecture:

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao by Frank Gehry, 

Walt Disney Concert Hall by Frank Gehry, 

One World Trade Center by David Childs

Conclusion

Modernism and postmodernism represent distinct yet interconnected artistic and intellectual movements. While modernism sought new forms and meaning through a break with tradition, postmodernism challenged the certainty of those new forms and emphasized the plurality of perspectives and interpretations. Both movements have significantly shaped and continue to influence various aspects of contemporary thought and cultural production.

Absurdism :

Absurdism explores how humans want meaning, but the world might not have any. We see this in art:

• Melting clocks: This painting shows how time might not matter, even though we want it to.
  Opens in a new windowwww.britannica.com
• Endless task: This artwork shows a man pushing a rock uphill, forever. It's like some tasks in life feel pointless.
  Opens in a new windowwww.moma.org

My drawing shows people happily ignoring the idea that life might not make sense. They're doing silly things, like dancing in the rain or playing with balloons. Even though life can be confusing, they find joy in simple moments. It's about embracing the silliness and finding happiness in the randomness of life.

This painting made by me..

 

Dadaism: Rebelling Against the Meaningless

Dadaism, an art movement born in the aftermath of World War I, aimed to challenge established norms and express the absurdity of a world that had produced such senseless destruction. Here's a simple explanation with an image:

• Think of it as a big "NO!" to war and tradition. Dada artists used nonsensical elements and playful techniques to make fun of seriousness and question what art even is.






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Fountain by Marcel Duchamp (1917)

For example, this artwork, called "Fountain," is actually a urinal signed by the artist. By presenting an ordinary object as art, Dada artists questioned the traditional definition of art and challenged the authority of the art world.

WORDS : 1327 

IMAGES : 17

Citation  : 

Baldwin, Emma. "Expressionism". Poem Analysis, https://poemanalysis.com/movement/expressionism/. Accessed 1 March 2024.

Thank you ....................