Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Modernism

What is modernism? It is such a short question yet has so much meaning behind it. Modernism is known as the period during which there have been many major changes in the world, economically, politically, and especially in the art field. The art field evolved drastically during this time period. Modernism for art in specific took place from around roughly the 1860s to about the 1970s. Modernism became a time for change in art because it was a movement where art started to be taken and turned into so called modern art. These changes came from scientific discoveries, new technology and the creativity of people.
During this period, artist used the female body in their art to express that men were still higher than women and that women were still submissive. However, during this period the 19th amendment granted women the right to vote, which was a huge accomplishment and confidence booster for all women around the United States. This allowed women to follow their dreams and become what they always dreamed about. Women that fell into art started to create a name for all women, they started to show talent and show how they were not any different compared to men. Female body were always used in painting and never used in a way they preferred but during modernism women started practicing self-conscious art. Artist such as Paula Modersohn-Becker and Suzanne Valadon were two the first female artists to use their own, as well as other women’s naked bodies in their arts after Artemisia Gentileschi. Having the ability to freely express and pursue art regardless if their gender is male opened up so many door in art in general. “In Western art, movements and "isms" appeared, one after another: impressionism, post impressionism, fauvism, cubism, futurism, constructivism, dada-ism, surrealism, abstract expressionism, etc” (Guerrilla Girls 59). All these different styles of art were created during modernism period and helped evolve the art and women history.
Mickalene Thomas, A Little 
Taste Outside of Love, 2007
While reading Women, Art, and Society written by Whitney Chadwick, Chadwick discussed modernism and how it was an opportunity for females to rise and show that they are also apart of the society and they are not only their to be housewifes but more. He talks about how female were able to create self-conscious sets and yes it would not be seen the same in society’s eyes but they were taking a step forward and showing they can also create like men but even better. Chadwick states “ The emergence of a self-conscious set of practices and characteristics through which the modern in art is understood developed gradually and coincided with the appearance of the first generation of women artists with more or less equal access to artistic training” (279). This was a way of letting society know that women can also paint but society still chose to continue and feel men were still higher for a couple more years. Chadwick also speaks on how it took time for women to receive the equal amount of respect compared to men.
Salvador DalíMetamorphosis of Narcissus 1937 This art piece would fall under surrealismwhich was to reveal the unconscious and reconcile it with rational life
Women started to make a huge impact during modernism especially with fashion. It started to group throughout Europe which is still today known as the home of fashion. Artist started including different colors and patterns and abstract designs into designing clothes. Women artist in Europe actually influenced many movements such as movements of abstraction,  German Expressionism, dada and surrealism.


Sonia Delaunay, Couverture de Berceau, 1911



This is a piece of abstract art. It is a basic
abstract painting that includes different
shapes and different colors. 
Abstraction is a type of art which was created during modernism by women. It is a type of art that doesn't have to be main focused and is usually created by different colors, shapes and textures. Abstraction can be viewed in quilts, curtains, dresses, and other objects used around the house. Women like Sonia Delaunay helped make build abstract art and
Chadwick states that “Their  patterns of abstract forms were arranged both to enhance the natural movement of the body and to establish a shimmering movement of color” (Chadwick 262). By presenting something new it gave women the opportunity to show talent that might not be seen by everyone. It allowed them to go against what people believed and show them we are allowed to go outside the circle and be successful.
Frida Kahlo, The Broken Column, 1944
Another big type of art that started was German Expressionism and Dada. There is a difference between these two type of art. German expressionism was considered artwork that told a story in a way that related to social or political aspects but dada was seen has a way of showing reality that was not meant to be seen. People were not willing to take the art of dadaism artist. Dadaism is explained as “an art movement that challenged every convention (except male supremacy) and scandalized society” (Guerrilla Girls 66). It was a period where women went to break “rules” and create art never seen by females. Hannah Hoch is a big named dada artist and her most famous piece is called Marlene.

Postmodernism was the period that took place right after modernism. It was considered to be a broad movement that began during the mid to late 20th century. Postmodernism was a reaction to modernism. Modernism was based on reasoning and idealism postmodernism was about suspicion of life and everything around. Artist had a whole different mindset during this period especially women artists. This was the beginning of feminism and women started to build new idea that dealt with empowerment. This was a period where women got to show that they were tired of being such a way and that they were able to be independent just as good as men. The real test of postmodernism was to make us question the things we believe are true and to get involved with our surroundings and to ask more questions.

Works Cited


The Guerilla Girls, The Guerrilla Girls' Bedside Companion to the History of Western Art. Penguin Books, 2006.

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