Avant-Garde and the Arts - Assignment Example

Discuss the impact of World War I on the avant-garde and the arts of the period. How were the artists reacting to the events of the world, and trying to effect social change?

Following the end of World War 1, the art world witnessed a rapid change of style. Moreover, it resulted to a new dimension that was evidenced through innovative movements. These changes were evidenced through personal expression to political stances that caused global shifts. One of the major art changes that occurred was the Dada movement. This movement began in Zurich at Hugo Ball’s ‘Cabaret Voltaire.’ The word ‘Dada’ was devised by young artists whose main agenda was to ‘kill art.’ To this end, the art form was characterized as very nihilistic and impressionistic. Furthermore, the artists refocused their energies on impressionism and abstract art. In addition, other art movements such as Futurism and Objectivity took center stage. Moreover, other artists like C.R.W Nevinson adapted by joining the War and taking their art to the battlefield.

“The period between 1914 and 1945 represents the ‘End of Certainty’ in the West.” Evaluate this statement, using five examples, in light of the period’s developments in the arts, humanities, and science.

In relation to the arts, the period was characterized by redefined trends in architecture and painting. Evidently, new styles of art such as decorative art, photo-realism, pattern, and high-tech art. Moreover, nonrepresentational art forms such as abstract expressionism were replaced by new genres such as pop art. Science and technology equally witnessed rapid advances which witnessed the growth of mass popular culture, as well as empirical science. To this end, new inventions such as telephones, electric lighting appliances, motion pictures, and record players. The literary world in postmodernism was signified by the transformation of traditional culture. This included adapting, experimenting, and changing literary forms and styles.  Furthermore, areas such as drama witnessed significant changes. For example, American drama matured through playwrights on Broadway as well as mixing American theatrical elements.