Modern Art as Creative Expression - Essay Example

u10d1 Modern Art Jamie Ferguson jferguson@quantaservices.com HUM1000 December 13, Susan Fox Modern art is manifested in the creative expression of contemporary artists of the twentieth century in various forms, styles, structures, and genres. Its value and importance is seen it its ability to stir, enhance, influence, and hone the skills of today’s generation to apply the aesthetic point of view in their life. Its relevance can therefore be realized in the longer term when the next generation’s form of art would have been greatly influenced by today’s modern art; just as modernism in art has been part of romanticism, primitivism, expressionism, and changes in the environment.

It is true that in some modern art, some non-representational designs found its way in museums and art exhibits to provide lessons on the aesthetic approach by seeing the surface of things, not their meanings, subjects, and all the connotations they may have for us. Personally, the issue should not really be whether one hates or loves modern art. Each and everyone is entitled to one’s personal opinion. However, one must closely evaluate what values have modern art provided today’s generation – what legacy would it give to the future generations.

Modern art, as averred by Bishop (2008) through The Spirit of Modernism was shaped by turbulent events like war, fascism and the rise of the mass society. These factors have profoundly influenced the unconventional, non-representational designs expressed by contemporary artists. Jackson Pollock’s painting which removed all subject matter in consideration could either be treated as a subject of the I-thou (or intrinsic relation) leaving viewers to a feeling of resignation by leaving things as they are.

It, however, provides the opportunity for practicing the aesthetic approach in humanities. Definitely, the artist has a reason for creating art in the way that was presented. The interesting part is to decipher diverse angles, dimensions, and perspectives accorded by non-representational art works. Modern art, like music in the twentieth century, offered artists with opportunities to go beyond traditional rules in art and expression by a free flow of human reflection and conceptualization of creative designs using virtually any possible form.

The diverse art styles that emerged were exemplary: from fauvism, cubism, futurism, dada, and expressionism (Bishop, 2008, 397). The technological developments accorded during the century were the most significant impetus that revolutionized art, music, and architecture in the 20th century. With the emergence of electronic music and the use of computers, music began to be experienced and heard by greater numbers of people coming from diverse cultural orientations. Composers explored musical possibilities by defying traditions and trying to break boundaries in forms and musical structures.

There were experimentations using nontraditional musical instruments (Varese) and even utilizing silence (Cage); technological breakthroughs saw the emergence of electronic instruments and the use of computers; and the emergence of Jazz as a new and innovative musical style are part of the expressions of modern art. Likewise, with the enormity of architectural designs of the past century, Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural works emerged as extraordinary and exemplary in style, design, and aesthetic value, recognizing him as “the greatest American architects of all time” by the American Institute of Architects in 1991 (Fallingwater: Story, 2010).

Overall, the architectural design of Fallingwater is unique and innovative as it merged nature with man-made design. Wright’s vision and architectural genius was astoundingly manifested in this structure. His brilliance in the Prairie style is exemplified in Fallingwater which emerged as a breathtaking and awesome structure having been able to creatively design it on top of the falls. Overall, modern art, despite the preponderance accorded for various artists to go beyond traditional rules, provided vast opportunities for growth in terms of recognition of the value of using the aesthetic point of view in appreciating art in various forms, medium and genre.

One could always aver a dislike of a few art works which could be perceived as out rightly maligned. However, modern art provides enormous innovative creations that have been instrumental enriching the lives of this generation through providing free access to enjoying a multitude of modern art structures and styles. References Bishop, P. (2008). Adventures in the Human Spirit, 5/E. Pearson. Fallingwater. Story.(2010) Retrieved 09 December 2010. < http://www.fallingwater.org/explore?to=0>