Portfolio Task 2 - Summarise the text

During 1900 to 1910 there was an attempt to create a new art that portrayed the new century, yet still took elements from the classical traditional styles. Expressionism was one contributor to this new art, and it covered many different aspects, and enabled the artist to express their 'self'.

The impact of the modern world meant the avante-garde style had been internationalized throughout Europe before the World War. The development of Cubism, Futurism and Expressionism spread from France, to German-speaking centres, and then later to Italy and Russia.

The Modern World was defined by three related moments. Modernization denotes the technological and scientific progression, and the impact that the machine had on the World, as the new replaced the old. Modernity refers to change, and the awareness and adaption to change within society and culture. It was a form of experience, wether it be personal or social. Modernity is then represented by Modernism, and the reflection upon the new experience.

There were two responses to the effects of modernization. One being depression and the other exhilaration. Many thought the machine was becoming increasingly controlling over the human life. The socialogist Max Webster called this the 'iron cage' of modernity. On the other hand, the exhilaration was from the developments and ideas that appeared to be an extremely positive enhancement for the new world.

The third response came from modernization not being a technological fact, despite the machinary, it actually appeared to be a social fact, sparking social relations between people and classes of people. The ideology of Socialism arose from the working class, through capitalist modernization. To change and improve that modernity within the social world, art was demanded upon to particapte in changing it.

 

Harrison, C and Wood, P. (1997) 'Art In Theory: 1900-90', Oxford, Blackwell, pp. 125-9