Modernism

Modernism -->

1. Terms- ‘modern’, ‘modernity’ 
2. Modernity – Industrialisation, Urbanisation – the City 
3. Modern artists’ response to the city 
4. Psychology and subjective experience 
5. Modern art and photography 
6. Defining ‘modernism’ in art 
7. Modernism in design

If we start to think about subjective experience, the experience of the individual in the modern world, we start to come close to understanding modern art and the experience of modernity. 

Modernism emerges out of the subject response of artists / designers. Modernism can be about embracing modelled techniques, making images that responded to sensations / energies of the modern world, how the modern world helps us understand ourselves and reinstating order and control.

Modernism in design -->
- Anti-historicism -
Doesn't look backwards at historical atheistic, pushing things forwards. Modernism is about creating the new.

No need to look backward to old styles, Ornament is crime - Adolf Loos (1908).

- Truth to materials -

Embrace the new world such as new materials for example concrete, steel, new paint technologies. Modernism tends to celebrate these materials and celebrate what they are. 

Form follows function -

Places functionality before aesthetics as you solve a problem with the design and if solved efficiently the design will have beauty/ an aesthetic. Don’t design something to be pretty.

Quarry Hill Flats, Leeds 1938-78

Attempt at modernism as the utopia hasn't materialised. Modern world hasn't provided equality.

Internationalism -->

Modernist practices aim to create a neutral yet universal language, culture that is available to all. Tend to get styles of making that don't seem to belong to a particular country but could belong to any country.

Harry Beck underground map -->

Form follows function, to understand London at a glance therefore not typographically correct. Doesn't use the exact way the lines run of distances, strips system down to the bare minimum to be legible and easily understood by all.

Aesthetic that doesn't belong to a specific time period

If you try and make your work fit a specific style at a particular moment your work will look out of fashion and old in a matter of years. Modernism looks to strip things down to their essentials which creates timelessness which shows the success of modernism. 

The Bauhaus -->

Re-invented the way art and design is taught in the spirt of internationalism. Interdisciplinary approach with photographers teaching typography etc. Created a diffusion of high art into everyday life, not just principles of craft objects but that would transform into everyday life. 

Russian Revolution 1917 -->

set up worlds first socialist country, workers take control and distribute wealth so all would be equal and no-one would starve. During this time you can't have a style of communicating that uses old styles, need to communication. 

El Lissitsky 1924 -->

Reduces photography down to it essence of light but getting rid of the camera.