Modernism &Post Modernism

The modernism movement begins during the first half of the 20th century. At this time artist begin to express themselves their individuality in their art by going beyond the limitations that were set from previous art movements. Art at this time consists of vivid colors with a thick application of paint, and also the use of unnatural or arbitrary colors. Artist used real-life subjects but some chose to emphasize geometric forms and distort them for an expressive effect. The name for this era is self-explanatory since it's a new kind of movement that is dealing with the modern changes at that time. 

Simultaneous Contrast
Sonia Delaunay, 1912

As this new movement developed, it opened the door for many artists to bring forward their own techniques which brought about simultanism, dada-ism, cubism, and many others. Sonia Delaunay and her husband began the theory of color which they named simultanism. Although her husband was mainly credited for the work they developed, she was the mastermind behind it all. She was interested in the dynamics of surface design, "modernity could best be expressed through a dynamic interplay of color harmonies and dissonances which replicated the rhythms of modern urban life," (Chadwick, 261). She learned to use color freely as she worked with textiles and embroidery.  She designed women clothing using her simultanism technique which to some was an interpretation of a woman's body signifying modernism. 

Composition
Alexandra Exter, 1914

At the time of modernism, there were various circumstances that aided the movement such as war (revolutions) and the idea of the "new" women who now had the right to vote (in some places). Alexandra Exter expressed her self in the cubism which analyzes objects, breaks them up and reassembles it in an abstracted form. The subject of a cubist painting is depicted from a multitude of viewpoints and represents the subject in a greater context. Exter was a Russian artist during the  Revolutionary control of Vladamir Lenin. Lenin encouraged artists to work for the revolution in order to promote political propaganda. Exter was given the opportunity to freely showcase her art which gave her recognition throughout Russia. She then established an art school where she designed agitprop (propaganda using art) with students. She also begins to combine Russian Folk art with cubism and also develops her own costume designs for women. However, once Stalin took over Russia, any hope for modernist art was quickly shut down. He believed that modernistic art was counter-revolutionary and put a halt to anyone who practiced it. 

Made for a Party
Hannah Hoch, 1936

The "new women," is clearly represented through Hannah Hoch. She was a German artist who expressed herself through dada-ism which is "an art movement that challenged every convention (except male supremacy) and scandalized bourgeois society," (Guerilla Girls, 66). She was one of the first artists to make photomontages and through her first creations depicted "the German media's glorification of the independent, modern female, free to smoke, wear sexy clothes, vote and work (and be the first to get laid off," (Guerilla Girls, 66-67). Her art progressed to included androgynous figure, homosexual couples and took a political turn when she created, "Ethnographic Museum" which depicted non-Aryan figure. The Nazi's at the time did not fully control Germany yet, but their ideology of a superior Aryan race was well known. Once Hoch created this piece, she became a target of the Nazi party. 

Bathing Suits Designed
by Sonia Delaunay

At the time of modernism, women became the most important part of the movement. They used their techniques of design and craft to open a new kind of modernity that did not play a role in previous time which was fashion design. Those who wore clothes with geometric abstraction portrayed themselves as being modern. Women were functioning both as productive of this visual culture and significant of the meaning of fashion. The cultural design not only focused on clothing but also included furniture. With the new movement, many people began to have a "decorative" viewpoint and began to design their own homes with designs from modernism. Delaunay was both a creator and enthusiast of the modernism movement and shows this by decorating her walls, ceiling and even car with modernistic patterns.  

Die
Faith Ringgold, 1967

Although modernism was the expression of individuality, post-modernism is when artists begin to express the truth in their art. Essentially, it's the complete opposite of post-modernism since it deals with relativism and a need for reason. Artists of this time depict social issues such as feminism and race. At the time of the Civil Rights movement, many artists took it upon themselves to target these issues in their work. Faith Ringgold's, Die, tells the story of segregation of the African American and white community. In this mural, we see both groups in conflicts with blood everyone and people holding weapons. As well as children on the ground confused and scared because of the chaos that is brought by segregation.

Untitled (Silueta Series)
Ana Mendieta, 1976

Another artist of post-modernism is Ana Mendieta who advocated for the feminist movement. Her work included the environment as her canvas since she would lay on mud, dirt, etc. and sculpture her body and then photograph her creation. She advocated for women who were victims of rape and in one of her pieces, she covered her "earth-body" work with blood to protest against rape. Although, she lived a short life her artwork was still admired after her death and even today.