Avant-Gardism, Modernism, and the Arts - Essay Example

19 October Avant-Gardism, Modernism, andthe Arts The advent of avant-gardism has led to an extensive rebellion from the traditional norms and customs of the past, which were regarded during the early times as stationary and absolute. The prevalent spread of avant-gardism gave birth to modernism, which believed that the “creative powers of the individual artist are at the center of what art is” (Jirousek, “The Evolution of the Idea of Art”). Avant-gardism brought manifold reformations with the way people view certain societal facets, particularly art by instigating the creation of a new benchmark of artistry, that is, something that does not derive itself from the customs of the past. As Charles Baudelaire suggests that avant-gardism is someone’s “burning desires to create a personal form of originality” (Baudelaire, 1972). Perhaps, from every person’s perspective, there is nothing so revolutionary to be done in order to make use of these changes; hence, the paradoxes of the idea of modernism. Nevertheless, the arrival of avant-gardism has ushered for the modernistic approach to art and culture, which aborted the antiquated attitudes of conformism and seemingly stationary norms. This paper shall discuss on the important transitions that revolutionized art, especially artworks which include paintings and any other forms of visual arts. Furthermore, in an attempt [Student’s Last Name] 2 to highlight the philosophical significance of Baudelaire’s statement about avant-gardism, the following points shall be considered: (1) avant-gardism’s relevance to modernism; (2) the role of avant-gardism to the modernistic approach to art; (3) how modernism, as a result of the dawn of avant-gardism, paved way for the establishment of a new idea of art. Avant-gardism was a single important part on the natal of modernism. The existence of avant-garde is regarded by many as a focal point of shying away from the norms of the old societies; transcending from the common practices in art. Many artists, initially poets, adapted the idea of shifting their focus to a different form of artwork by not importing any old conformist ideas. Various innovative lines of attack had converged on putting aside obsolete precepts, knowledge and philosophies and form a new body of knowledge or artistic slant. The idea of avant-garde somehow created a line of separation between ordinary people and the artists who were considered mortal because of the new concept they have introduced to the society. The radical concept of recoiling from the past practices and the birth of Modernism begot sub-categorical new notions: expressionism, impressionism, and symbolism. Modernism is a thought that cropped up during the industrial revolution. Modernism was the manifestation of the need to adapt to the new developments and ideas of the industrial era, and was conveyed through different art forms: literature, sculpture, paintings, etc. Still unavoidably, there was an act to resists the rapid revolutionary changes in most artworks. This has often been manifested in the visual arts and by the overall favour for the complicated. It was differing from the modernistic inclinations to streamline methods and to abridge ornamental details. Modernism poured in much concentration on how to produce new schemes in artworks. “Modernism had celebrated innovation and originality” (“High Modernism: The Avant-Garde in the Early 20th Century”). [Student’s Last Name] 3 French poet defined an artist as someone who was essentially contemporary or current, assessing the short-lived, momentary imageries of the city sight. Baudelaire emphasized the gallant distinctiveness of his artistry, and highlighted his real hunt for genuine showcasing. His conception of modernism as “a radical break from the historic tradition that preceded it” (“High Modernism: The Avant-Garde in the Early 20th Century) say much about the relational flow of influences from the arrival of avant-garde to the innovative concepts of modernism. Snubbing the greediness of the mid-income class, he went on board in a mystical errand of uncovering his own self. Baudelaire believed that modernity was a great test to ponder and produce the completely novel. Such novelty could only exist in art. Conversely, the reception of modernism was not as positive. The public who were used to the academic forms of art asserted that avant-garde and modernism was misbehaviour to the cultural beliefs and traditions of the past instead of being an innovative approach to art. Such events express the influenced aversions due to some highly conformist societies. Positively, while modernism had reached unfamiliar territories, in a sense that it has gone through stern snubbing from the populace, modernism’s confrontation connection with the overriding culture was transitory. The moment the new concept gradually spreads all throughout the society, the culture embraces the change, thereby, eventually allowing people to contend with the changes. A significant fallout of the widespread acceptance of avant-garde and modernism though and its extreme satire is the argument of the society being agreeable to the changes without even understanding the whole concept beforehand. Ironically, avant-garde has made its personal nastiest and vilest adversary: the progressively rapid appointing of every new artistic declaration. [Student’s Last Name] 4 Nowadays, it is quite difficult to be discarded. If you express a viewpoint telling someone that he is not capable to critic your effort and creation, and that only the past is, then you are bound for an undiscriminating agreement. If success is to be snubbed in your own while, the undertaking propagated the spores of its own obliteration. Are there different definitions of modernism and modernity? In the context of revolutionizing artwork by shying away from the traditional norms of doing things, especially art, modernism bears a unified meaning. After the arrival of avant-garde, modernism loomed and made some considerable changes in the society, especially when it comes to art. The notion of identifying significant changes in the society is already an indication that there is a separation from the past and the present. The recognition of these revolutions suggests that the something new is being felt or seen. It is difficult to vary definitions of modernism without specifying the context in which each specific definition would make sense. Modernism was also a catalyst for the success of certain scientific endeavours. Avant-garde paved the way for the creation of new scientific knowledge that is, to abandon olden principles and theories in Physics and other related sciences. The completion of the Special Theory of Relativity came into realization because as a result of the application of the concepts constituted within avant-garde and modernism. The idea of modernism as a "radical break from the historic traditions that preceded it" (“High Modernism: The Avant-Garde in the Early 20th Century) had provided perceptions of wearing down old theories and forming new ones through experimentations. Furthermore, the impact of modernism to the world is much more massive. It has gone from art to culture and it has even transcended the boundaries of knowledge. [Student’s Last Name] 5 Modernism influenced how politics and government runs. The conservatism that dominated the political arena of the United States had been confronted by an adversarial party that believed for the good things that liberalism can do to a certain country. This huge change in the politics has somehow affected the historical situations of the past and more so in the present. Is it possible to not be of our own time? In the context of social and cultural modernism, time talks about how well one adapts to certain changes. If he or she embraces that change; his or her time also changes. In analogy, time may refer to a dummy variable that can hold any number depending on whatever input the computer provides it. The current value that it holds determines his or her functions. Avant-gardism is consequential with how someone understands the value of ones time and vice versa. Someone who does not adapt to changes is on his or her own time. Ones view of time does not override the gist of modernism. Reference Baudelaire, Charles. Selected Writings on Art and Literature, trans. P.E. Chavet. New York: Viking, 1972. Print. High Modernism: The Avant-Garde in the Early 20th Century. Early 20th Century Avant-Grande, n.d. Web. 20 October 2012. Jirousek, Charlotte. The Evolution of the Idea of Art. Cornell University, 1995. Web. 20 October 2012. Read More