13: The World is One (1930 – 1970)
- Page ID
- 308363
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)From the Modern Art movement, an explosion of art methods, styles and techniques erupted, breaking traditional rules to create modern art. This chapter discusses the art of architecture, sculpture, and photography, introducing the influence of the 20th century. The spirit of experimentation and innovation was enjoyed by the artists as abstraction lead to several new and exciting art periods around the world.
- 13.1: Overview
- From the Modern Art movement, an explosion of art methods, styles, and techniques erupted, breaking traditional rules to create Modern Art. This chapter discusses the art of architecture, sculpture, and photography, introducing the influence of the 20th century. Artists appreciated the spirit of experimentation and innovation, as abstraction gave rise to several new and exciting art periods worldwide.
- 13.2: 20th Century Architecture
- Architecture is generally described as any creatively designed and constructed building or structure that enhances a city, town, or landscape. It is both an art form and a science, combining creativity with engineering and construction techniques to create buildings that are functional, beautiful, and safe for people to use. Architects must carefully plan for structural safety, habitable spaces, and protection from fire, flood, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.
- 13.3: Sculptures
- Modern sculpture brought major changes to the art world as artists moved away from the classical traditions of the Renaissance period. Early 20th-century sculptors gained the freedom to experiment with new ideas, materials, and artistic approaches, redefining what sculpture could be. Artists explored modern materials, abstraction, and innovative design ideologies instead of following traditional standards.
- 13.4: Photography
- Photography became a new way to document and record life, and the photographers of this period elevated the medium beyond ordinary images by capturing the social landscape with both artistic vision and technical skill. Through photographs, viewers gained a deeper understanding of local and international events, cultures, and human experiences. Photography emerged as an important form of visual communication, combining artistic quality with historical documentation.
- 13.5: Mexican Murals and Social Art
- Mural painting in Mexico began expanding during the 1920s as a way to communicate political and social messages to the public. Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros became the leading artists of the Mexican mural movement. From the 1920s through the 1970s, murals spread throughout Mexico and influenced public art across the Americas.
- 13.6: Works Progress Administration Murals
- The 1930s in American history are closely associated with the Great Depression and the federal government’s WPA (Works Progress Administration) Art Projects. The WPA produced more than 100,000 works of art and over 18,000 sculptures throughout the United States. Franklin D. Roosevelt developed the program to combine art with patriotic American values while also providing economic relief during the Great Depression.
- 13.7: Nihonga and Yoga Style
- Nihonga paintings are traditional Japanese artistic techniques and materials applied to modern paintings. The methods are based on more than a thousand years of Japanese art history and are typically created on paper or silk using either one color or multiple colors. Monochrome works are produced with ink made from ashes mixed with glue, while polychrome works use pigments created from ground minerals, shells, and other natural materials combined with binders.
- 13.8: Surrealism
- Surrealism emerged as a cultural movement during the early 1920s, exploring the relationship between dreams and reality. Surrealist art is highly visual and often painted with almost photographic precision while placing objects and figures into strange or unexpected situations. The movement focused on freeing the artist’s imagination and accessing ideas from the subconscious mind.
- 13.9: Conclusion
- The Modern Art movement marked one of the most revolutionary periods in the history of art. Artists throughout the 20th century challenged traditional ideas about beauty, realism, and artistic technique, creating entirely new ways of seeing and understanding the world. Modern artists believed art did not need to imitate reality exactly; instead, art could express emotion, ideas, movement, spirituality, politics, and personal experiences.