Understanding Modernism And The Changes It Brought
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Historians have divided the 20th century into modernism and postmodernism periods. Some experts are of the view that both to be parts of one larger period, while others take them different. Modernism, to be very simple stands for modern thoughts and practices and is a cultural movement which involves progressive art and architecture, music, designs and different forms of art. Modernism is manifested by a strong and deliberate difference in the traditions, and includes reaction against literature, art, etc. Modernism has given us the new styles and attitudes, and also revolutionary ideas and practices. For instance, modern classic furniture, like Bauhaus furniture and Modloft furniture are examples of modernism, which have now become a symbol of elegance and sophistication.
Roots of Modernism
For historians, modernism might have started in the sixteenth century. This is regarded as the Early Modern period and extends up to 18th century. Modernism started during the Renaissance times and it was at that time when people changed the notion of man through art, poetry, philosophy, and through ideas. The roots of modernism went much deeper when it enters to the 19th century, as after World War II, much focus was laid on unconventional visual and performing arts.
This Enlightenment times saw the evolution of human beliefs as well as lead to the Scientific Revolution, which paved way for scientists like Galileo and Newton. Two of the influential people who shaped this era were Charles Darwin, with the theory of evolution, and Karl Marx, who played a prominent part in modernism and communism. However, it is in the principles of Enlightenment that the roots of modernism can be traced. Intellectuals of 18th and 19th century believe that almost all the things has a cause: traditions, customs, art, etc.
Characteristics of Modernism
Modernism is defined as a movement far from the apparent objectivity given by the narrators and clear-cut moral positions. Many famous narrative pieces come under this aspect of modernism.
Modernists can be viewed as Individuals who investigate and focus more on the axioms, i.e. previously declared principles or well-defined rules. They decline the theory of Enlightenment philosophy and All-Mighty Creator. However, some modernists reject these religious beliefs, but not all.
The language that modernism uses in literature is more in a self-conscious way. It leads to experiments with work, and focuses more on the processes and materials used. In other words, it considers language as a tool to create the piece of literature, the same way an artist crafts a piece of art.
It focuses on discontinuous narratives and has fragmented forms and collages.
Modernism denies the philosophy of high and low, when it comes to showing off art and architecture.
It uses image and symbols as common literary techniques. According to some historians, it dislocates the actual meaning and sense of the work from its original context.
In literature specifically, it represents a story with the perspective of several different people, with the belief that the truth is there between those.
Currently, commentators draw modernism as an overall progressive style of thoughts, which make human beings improve and reform the environment, with the help of scientific knowledge and latest technologies. Hence, modernism is an aspect that supports the re-examination of every piece of existence, be it commerce or philosophy.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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