Modernisation, Modernism & Modernity

The early 20th century was a period where avant-garde artists attempted to rationalise several late-nineteenth-century ideas into a new form of art that would be equally admired among art movements. The form that these artists took was one of expression, where the changing lives of urban citizenry were depicted.

Pushing Boundaries in Europe: Avant-Garde

The avant-garde became a global movement by 1914, and although Paris still led the way, the rest of Europe also saw the avant-garde develop. In Central Europe, expressionism became popular while Italy and Russia responded to the slow-coming modern through various forms of avant-garde including expressionism, futurism and cubism. As these ideologies were new to society, traditionalism remained strong in society. This created an interesting contrast between those who lived the modern, and those who still embraced the past.

The Changing World: Political & Social Transformations

Modernisation refers to the advance in science & technology that forced society to change. The introduction of efficient machines in many industries (notably transport) sped the pace of life up significantly, resulting in a social and cultural change referred to as modernity. This new way of life was expressed through Modernism.

There was a feeling that with modernity a negative aspect came about. This is that with industry and efficiency taking centre-stage, and the early signs of capitalism flickering, the importance of the individual was being lost as humans became part of a ‘machine’. Despite this, some felt the change brought about an adrenaline rush where it is ‘exciting’ to be part of an intense, fast world.

There were not just physical changes with the modern, but also attempts to analyse the physiological responses of humans. There are the two separate responses discussed above of the loss of the individual and the adrenaline rush, but there is also the centrist view. This brought two new terms with it- capitalism and socialism. These ideologies reflected the new relations between classes as well as material possessions. The mobilisation of the masses was seen as an opportunity by the upper class to create capitalism, while it was seen by the working class as an opportunity to create a utopian equal society; socialism.

The Artists’ Response: Cubism

Conflict arose as to where art stands among this- is art something that should be a servant for socialism or capitalism? It provoked a ‘fight back’ in art at the new modern world. Cubism was one response- a style where the individual was depicted giving little indication of the modern world evolving at the time. Despite this, cubism managed to become the foundation of the avant-garde, setting an example for future modern art due to it embracing new technology. This meant that although the subject was still ‘traditional’, the style was not, and so the subject became less important. Cubism therefore firmly established the conflict in art between those who see art as a form of illustrating the modern world and those who see art as something that must change to fit the modern.