American Modernism Entering the 20th Century and ….pptVIP

American Modernism Entering the 20th Century and breaking new ground Historical Context About early 1900s-1950 (began just after World War I in 1914 and ended with the end WW II into the 1950s) Spurred by disillusionment (after a savage WW I--What had this world become?) - Loss of innocence Russian Revolution highlighted political tension advocated need for change Flourished/peaked in 1920s 1930s -Explored both the decadence wealth of the 1920s and the harsh realities of the Depression-plagued 1930s Development of the West Immigrant influx (primarily European) Photography as fine art The Harlem Renaissance The Lost Generation Expatriates Influenced by Nietzsche, Karl Marx James G. Grazer, Darwin, Carl Jung Historical Context, Cont. Science = source of logic stability Technological Innovation: Fixation on LIGHT (invention of electricity) Light as symbol for knowledge/awareness, and the darkness beyond as ignorance of blind tradition Enrollment in college doubled in the 1920s Einstein’s Theory of Relativity in physics (notion of time travel) Integration of internal combustion engine industrialization: machines replacing humans Rise of social sciences, including public policy: welfare, compulsory school, labor laws, etc. Psychology as prominent field of study: Sigmund Freud People owned cars, radios, cameras, typewriters, and even phones, drastically changing daily life forever Values Beliefs Like other movements, it occurred across all forms of expression: literature, music, dance, art, architecture, etc. Strong intentional break with tradition, including reaction against political, religious, and social views; rejects traditional art, sentimentality, artificiality, consumerism “Avant garde”: movements attempting to overthrow the status quo and do something new Move past confines of extremely conservative Victorianism New = good; move forward and embrace the future Breakdown of social norms Two World Wars effects on humanity: alienation, frustra