M5P3 - Modernism III

Modern Art Overview

• Dominance of Modern Theory: Shifts from defined styles to artists seeking originality (Avant-Garde).

• Evolution of Movements: Modern art emphasizes constant change, allowing many interpretations and styles.

Constantin Brancusi's "Bird in Space" (1928)

• Sculpture Significance: Represents the essence of flight rather than physical reality.

• Legal Debate: Classified as a kitchen utensil due to its non-literal representation, igniting a court case to define art.

Henry Moore's Exploration

• Closed vs. Open Forms: Investigates representation versus abstraction, creating sculptures that invite viewer interaction.

• Art as Hope: In postwar Britain, Moore views art as a vehicle for inspiration and meaning.

Alexander Calder's Kinetic Sculptures

• Mobiles: Innovates with moving art forms that reflect constant change and interaction with their environment.

Architectural Innovations in Modernism

Shell Construction

• Definition: Material used for both the structure and skin, representing a visual authenticity.

Skeleton and Skin Construction

• 19th Century Advances: Balloon frame and steel frame methodologies revolutionize building design, exemplified by the Reliance Building.

Eiffel Tower

• Historical Context: Built for the 1889 World's Fair; stood as the tallest man-made structure for 41 years.

• Construction Feats: Completed in just over two years, showcasing engineering prowess.

Mies Van der Rohe's Friedrichstrasse Office Building

• Design Philosophy: Emphasized modern reduction and form; proposed a glass-and-steel skyscraper that influenced corporate architecture.

Existentialism in Art

• Concept: Artists explore the idea that existence precedes essence, using art to express individual experience.

• Giacometti's "Man Pointing": Represents a search for existence through the act of pointing, realizing one's presence in the world.

Photographic Art and Photojournalism

• Dorothea Lange's "Migrant Mother": Captures the struggles of migrant workers, becoming an iconic image of the Great Depression.

Grant Wood's "American Gothic"

• Cultural Representation: Initially perceived as a critique of rural life, Wood intended it as a tribute to rural American values.

Abstract Expressionism

• Movement Characteristics: Artists express feelings abstractly, influenced by surrealism and existential ideas of meaning.

Jackson Pollock's Technique

• Event as Art: Pollock's approach emphasizes action over composition, treating the canvas as a dynamic event.

Color Field Painting

• Mark Rothko's Work: Focuses on large fields of color to evoke emotion and a spiritual experience, viewing color as a universal language.

Minimalism

• Donald Judd's Philosophy: Reduces art to shapes; emphasizes the object itself as the essence of the experience.

Maya Lin's Vietnam Veterans Memorial

• Design Philosophy: Utilizes minimalist elements to create a reflective and healing space.

Pop Art and Andy Warhol

• Integration of Culture: Warhol's work blurs the line between art and mass culture, using consumer objects as subjects.

Techniques

• Mass Production Methods: Emphasizes repetition and screen printing, representing both the artist's commentary and the object itself.

Lyrical and Post-Painterly Abstraction

• Artistic Techniques: Focus on expression through painterly methods, reacting against the formalism of earlier movements.

Conceptual Art

• Central Idea: The concept behind the art takes precedence over physical execution, as seen in Joseph Kosuth's "One and Three Chairs."

• Sol Lewitt's Approach: Focusing on ideas rather than traditional art forms; concept becomes the primary vehicle of expression.

Neo-Dadaist Art

• Focus on Objecthood: Emphasizes the absurdity and significance of the object itself, challenging traditional art definitions.

Installation Art

• Definition: Sculptural works transform spaces and engage viewers in unique experiences.

Art in Public Spaces

• Controversies: Richard Serra's "Tilted Arc" evokes debates on public art and funding, questioning the nature and perception of art.