Visual Art, Music, and Literature Modernism in the Arts Visual Art, Music, and Literature
Characteristics of Modern Visual Art No illusion of reality Manet’s The Fifer In contrast, remember David’s Oath of the Horatii
Characteristics of Modern Visual Art (cont.) Many more “isms”—different schools Cubism Expressionism Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d'Avignon Van Gogh’s The Starry Night
Characteristics of Modern Visual Art (cont.) New subject matter—often very personal, sometimes objectionable Chaim Soutine, Flayed Ox
Characteristics of Modern Music Reaction against overblown emotionality of late Romantic music Break from traditional sense of tonality (“home base”) Example: Debussy Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun Impressionism
Characteristics of Modern Music (cont.) Stretching the traditional sounds of music (tone color) Primitivism Stravinsky The Rite of Spring (ballet) John Cage Sonata II for prepared piano 4’33”
Characteristics of Modern Literature Radically disrupt linear flow of the narrative Stream of consciousness Woolf: “Examine an ordinary mind on an ordinary day.” Faulkner: The Sound and the Fury
Characteristics of Modern Literature (cont.) Fragmented characters “Heroes” as alienated outsiders Special concern with language/narrative technique
Characteristics of Modern Literature (cont.) Difficult or academic texts The Waste Land (need I say more?!) Shocking images/ surrealism Often open endings—little resolution