Modern art refers to a type of art that was created during a time when it was no longer essential or necessary to literally represent a subject. Modern art encompasses diversity of styles, techniques, and movements. During the modern period, artists have created paintings both with traditional materials, such as oil on canvas, but they have also made use of a variety of materials available to them in their everyday lives. Modern art was not commissioned by political or religious institutions, so modern artists were allowed more freedom to express their personal meanings in their art. Many modern artists still conveyed messages that were spiritual and political. In fact, much of the art during this time was extremely political in context and sent important messages to its viewers through its portrayal. Modern art is sometimes described as art without political or religious motives, even though that is not the case. Ultimately, modern art focused mainly on originality and the fascination with modern technology as well as the need for people to speak their minds and allow others to become more aware of their side of various arguments. Artists also made a point to draw attention to various issues in modern life that people often tried to ignore.
Pablo Picasso- Guernica (1937)
An excellent example of a work of art that truly sent a message to its viewers is Pablo Picasso’s Guernica which was created in the year 1937 based upon the Spanish Civil War that was occurring. This painting sends an extremely strong message to people and represents rebirth as well as destruction in modern times. It is a true symbol of the harsh impact of totalitarianism on various parts of the world. Picasso was one of many people during this time who expressed the brutal realities that were taking place during this time of modern aggression. The modernism of Guernica comes from the harsh grimness and suffering of the horrific wartime period. There are many important aspects of this piece. In the painting, the horse and the bull are that of a Spanish bullfight and serve as a metaphor for lifelong savage conflict. There are also four women in this painting with a broken statue of a strong warrior. One of the women is holding a dead baby which symbolizes the physical emotion of human grief and suffering. The broken statue represents the corrupting effect that war has on culture by mocking the idealism of the military which is symbolized by the war monument and the weapon in the warrior’s hand. All aspects of Guernica represent war, chaos, and destruction of society as we know it. However, amongst all of the chaos there is a single light bulb with light streaming from it at the top of the painting. Picasso was trying to put emphasis on what was happening as a result of the war. He was trying to get the world’s attention and trying to help people understand the severity of the issues that the world was facing.
Lewis W. Hine- Child in Carolina Cotton Mill (1908)
Similar to Picasso’s Guernica, Lewis W. Hine created art that also tried to address issues that were quite serious. Child in a Carolina Cotton Mill was developed in 1908 and was a true vehicle for social reform. Hine was a photographer for the National Child Labor Committee from 1908 through 1916. During this time he visited factories and photographed children working in order to expose child-labor abuse. Hine’s camera and his photography created concrete evidence that could not simply be ignored any longer. His pictures helped to pass laws that protected children from being industrially exploited. Hine often had his child subjects pose so his images would create a dramatic effect. He was truly a skilled documentary photography who used art to his advantage by trying to make a positive change for society and its children. I think that is an important factor in regards to modern art. Many artists simply create art for the purpose of promoting change in a growing a chaotic environment. Hine definitely sent a strong message to the public that something had to be done to put an end to such madness.
Marcel Duchamp- Fountain (1917)
French artist Marcel Duchamp will truly always be thought of when it comes to controversial artwork and was extremely different than the previous two artists discussed. While traditional art was accepted and enjoyed, Duchamp brought about a new wave of so called art that challenged every traditional method ever known. Duchamp was rejected by the American Society of Independent Artists for a piece titled “Fountain” which was literally a urinal which he used to create ready-made art. By referring to this piece as art, Duchamp mocked conventional methods of creating art, and in the process, insulted what many believe to be ‘true artists’. Duchamp changed the world of art by simply viewing an everyday object in a new manner and calling it something else. He basically spat in the face of everything that had been normal and accepted. He simply created this piece to provoke people and to draw attention away from tradition. Duchamp will never be forgotten in the art world and will always be remembered for his unconventional way of creating “art”.
George Segal- Bus Riders (1962)
From a completely different standpoint, George Segal created sculptures of ‘everyday people’. His works were quite haunting and captured the mood of the modern era of alienation. He went beyond tradition and created life size figures out of plaster. These figures were then placed in mundane settings with props that were quite ordinary. The environments that Segal assembled allowed him to comment on issues of alienation, injustice socially, and an obvious failure to communicate that he believed modern life possessed. His piece titled Bus Riders portrays his version of what people truly are; which is cold, hard, unresponsive, unemotional, and expressionless beings who live obvious boring lives and exist without purpose. He included qualities of mystery and pure stillness which give his work a rather desolate and psychological mood that makes a strong statement to its viewers.
