Marlene Cazares
Professor Cacoilo
Art and Women
21 November 2017
Modernism
Modernism refers to the’’ broad movement in Western arts and literature that gathered pace from around 1850, and is characterized by a deliberate rejection of styles of the past; emphasizing instead innovation and experimentation in forms, materials and techniques in order to create artworks that better reflected modern society’’ (Tate 1)http://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/m/modernism. This new form of art demanded a new relationship between art and life, a merging of fine arts and craft. In Western art, movements began to take place and about 10 ‘’isms’ make up modernism which are ‘’ impressionism, postimpressionism, fauvism, cubism,futurism,constructivism, dada-ism , surrealism , expressionism , abstract expressionism , etc’’ (Guerrilla Girls 59). Modern painting especially abstraction started to emphasize geometric forms, distort form for expressive effect and used unnatural arbitrary colors. A well known artist that played a huge role in the modernist movement is Sonia Delaunay. Her artwork included abstract patterns, vibrant colors, various shapes and sizes, etc. ‘’Delaunay’s work with textiles and embroidery encouraged her to break down forms and emphasize surface structure. She quickly began designing book covers , posters,lampshades, curtains , cushion covers and other objects for her home.’’ ( Chadwick 261). She then continued designing which led into fashion and making costumes. Her abstract pieces were used on clothing pieces that are still influential today, that is seen such as in the Milan Fashion week.
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| Sonia Delaunay, Cleopatra, 1918 |
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| Milan Runway Show, 2015 |
Suzanne Valadon was another modernist artist that painted the ‘’real’’ female body. Her artwork was different since she painted these drawings from a female perspective. ‘’ Instead of presenting the female body as a lush surface isolated and controlled by the male gaze, she emphasizes the awkward gestures of figures apparently in control of their own movement ( Chadwick 285). Her paintings is able to demonstrate how modernism is advancing throughout the art movement. Hannah Hoch, a German artist who used used dadaism which is a form of art that has a deeper meaning which often questions society. She used Marlene Dietrich who is an actress as an example in her “ Marlene ‘’ piece only putting Dietrich’s legs on display thus highlighting the male gaze.
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| Hannah Hoch, Marlene, 1930 |
Frida Kahlo was a known surrealist artist , most of her paintings contained symbols that have a deeper meaning. She created self portraits, and other paintings that symbolized who she was and what events caused her crucial pain. Such as in her famous self portrait ‘’ The Broken Column’’ which captures her physical and emotional pain. In her painting you are able to see the nails that are all over her body but the biggest nail is in her heart. Which represents heartache caused by Diego Rivera ( modernist artist).
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| Frida Kahlo, The Broken Column,1944 |
‘’ Mother of Modernism’’ known as Georgia O’Keeffe. Her artwork consisted of flowers and fossils since they are a lot cheaper than models. Georgia O’Keeffe stated ‘’ the men liked to put me down as the best woman painter. I think i’m one of the best painters’’ ( Guerrilla Girls 75). She produced various artworks that are influenced by the natural world.
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| Georgia O'Keeffe, Rams Head White Hollyhock and Little Hills , 1935 |
Post Modernism was a departure of modernism, although both can be seen similar are also different. An example of post modernism is ‘’ The dinner party’’ by Judy Chicago which is a well known feminist art installation. The table includes thirty- nine women of history and mythology, thirteen on each side making a triangle. The settings contain porcelain plates which are inspired by mother nature and the vagina. Post modernism has more media influences while modernism is completely different since it's main point is to create a deeper meaning using symbols, shapes and sizes in the paintings. Another example is Yoko Ono who did a performance named ‘’ cut piece’’ which is media based. No words or movements were present throughout the performance, but you are able to see that abuse of some sorts was the main point of the act. Modernism and Post Modernism are essential in the history of art and how these women helped shaped and influence others to take part into this art form. As we enter the 20th century post modernism takes place as technology evolves. Technology is essential in post modernism since most art work is based around it.
Work Cited
Chadwick , Whitney. Women, Art , and Society. Thames & Hudson 2007
The Guerrilla Girls' Bedside Companion to the History of Western Art. Penguin Books, 2006
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