Early Modern Art & Architecture in between the Wars

Themes in Early Modern Art 1.Uncertainty/insecurity. 2.Disillusionment. 3.The subconscious. 4.Overt sexuality. 5.Violence & savagery.

The Fine Art of Feeling

German Expressionism: Background Originated in Dresden, Germany in the early 20 th c. Dominated German Art from Greatly Influence by: Post-Impressionist painters (esp. Van Gogh) Munch’s The Scream A rise in the support of the avant-garde movement Nietzsche’s Dualism (Apollonian/Dionysian) Freud’s psychoanalysis  inner-drives control human behavior Two Separate Movements: Die Brücke (“The Bridge”)  Dresden (1905) Der Blau Reiter (“The Blue Rider”)  Munich (1911)

Edvard Munch: The Scream (1893) The Inspiration:  Using bright colors to express a particular emotion.

German Expressionism: Overview GOAL(S): express artist’s feelings rather than images from real world Evoke the subjective response an artist had toward a meaning/event Push the boundaries of what was expected of art at the time (avant-garde) CHARATERISTICS: Use of uncharacteristic colors to evoke emotion from the viewer as well as portray the artist’s inner vision Bold colors & violent brushstrokes Distortion/Disproportion of images as well as awkward poses for figures Two dimensional w/ no perspective

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner: Self-portrait as a Soldier (1915) Ernst Ludwig Kirchner: Self-portrait as a Soldier (1915)

Käthe Kollwitz: Infant Mortality (1925) Käthe Kollwitz: Infant Mortality (1925)

George Grosz: Grey Day (1921) George Grosz: Grey Day (1921)

Otto Dix: The War (1925)

Wassily Kandinsky: On White II (1923)

Franz Marc: Animal Destinies (1913)

The Anti-Art Movement

Dada: Background Began in 1916 (Zurich) and ended in 1922 An international movement that claimed it was “against art” and was used to respond to the violence and irrationality of war Meant to attack and anger the bourgeoisie because of belief that it was the mentality and actions of this class that allowed war to occur Nihilistic  wanted art to reflect the upsetting and violent world as they saw it Art viewed as ridiculous and irrelevant

Dada: Characteristics First rule of Dada is there are no rules of Dada Nonsensical drawings Used collages & layers to confuse the “unworthy beholder” “Ready Mades”  use of mundane, everyday objects as a sense of irony “Beginnings of Surrealism”  many Dada artists went on to become members of the surrealist movement

Jean Arp: Arrangement according to the Laws of Chance ( ) Jean Arp: Arrangement according to the Laws of Chance ( )

Marcel Duchamp: The Fountain (1917)

Marcel Duchamp: L.H.O.O.Q. (1919) Marcel Duchamp: L.H.O.O.Q. (1919)

Raoul Hausmann: Mechanical head (1920)

Raoul Hausmann: ABCD ( )

Francis Picabia: The Cacodylic Eye (1921) Francis Picabia: The Cacodylic Eye (1921)

Art of the Unconscious Mind

Surrealism: Background Flourished in Europe & the Americas in 1920s & 30s Movement toward the liberation of the mind by placing emphasis on the unconscious Gained momentum after the Dada Art Movement Began as literary movement led by poet Andre Breton Two types: Automatism Veristic Surrealism

Surrealism Inspired by the new psychology of two men... Sigmund FreudCarl Gustav Jung

Salvador Dali: The Persistence of Memory (1931)

Salvador Dali: Geopoliticus Child Watching the Birth of a New Man (1943)

Salvador Dali: The Last Supper(1938)

Rene Magritte ( ) The False Mirror (1928) The Treachery of Images( ) The Son of Man (1967)

Rene Magritte: Two Lovers (1928)

Joan Míro: : Dutch Interior II (c.1920) Joan Míro: : Dutch Interior II (c.1920)

The International Style: Geometry to Live in

Walter Gropius: Bauhaus Building (1928) Bauhaus  A utopian quality.  Based on the ideals of simplified forms and unadorned functionalism.  The belief that the machine economy could deliver elegantly designed items for the masses.  Used techniques & materials employed especially in industrial fabrication & manufacture  steel, concrete, chrome, glass.

Walter Gropius: Lincoln, MA house (1938)

Frank Lloyd Wright: Falling water (1936) Organic Architecture  Walls, ceilings, & floors flow seamlessly  Rooms merge w/ each other  Architecture flows seamlessly w/ outside environment