asher.p2.t1.modern era

asher.p2.t1.modern era

by Calvin Chan, Christina Yang, Jane Lu, Brianna Loo (Period 2, Team 1)

Differentiate. Stand out. Become avant-garde. Nowadays, EVERYBODY is searching for away to become different. To isolate themselves from the norm of modern culture. To pave the way for future innovation. Why? Because our society has indulged in such rapid evolution that our span of specific interest has diminished into mere nothingness. We have grown to live in a fast-paced world where “hi-tech” will become “yesterday’s thing” in a few days. However, this is nothing new. In fact, this has a logistical problem since the beginning of the Modern Era.

The Modern Era marked the beginning of a prosperous time, with advancements in technology, science, film, and photography. But let’s zoom in on the evolution of contemporary art. Artists of the time recognized that “realistic painting” was no longer appealing to the general public because of the introduction of photography. As a response to this trend, cubism invaded the world of art, most notably in Pablo Picasso’s famous works of art. It started out as an abstract art form, heavily centered on angular shapes and clear distinctions. It had an almost 3-dimensional feel, yet still allowed blend in similar color and shapes. Picasso desired to use everyday, tangible objects to depict something more obscure. In a way, he wanted to confuse the audience, almost mocking them for taking art for granted. He painted sceneries and simple objects, but with an abstract palette. He used simple shapes (circles, squares, triangles) and welded them to form a complete piece of art.

Of course, Picasso aimed to appeal to the audience through differentiation. Never before have simple geometric figures been used as pixels to an artistic canvas. It was unheard of, new, and different; it appealed to the public. But in a way, this was also Picasso and the other cubism artists’ means of retaliation. They used the simplest of objects, those that were clearly familiar to the general public (which they have discarded as useless and elementary), to form something that attracted the intention of the worldwide population. They used the very “trash” of the generation, to create the next big thing. This satirically mocked the social standards of the Modern era, exposing the desire for radical advancements. The artists of the Modern era recognized the danger that the advancement-centric society possessed; they realized that by continually pursuing advancement, there may be no more room to advance. Therefore, they pulled society back and restrained its desires by using elementary tactics to appeal to the public.

Modern Era Synthesis Period 2 Team 7

As the Edwardian Era shifted to the Modern Era, a shift in the arts took place as well. Rembrandt’s portraits conveyed the images of different figures under a respectful light highlighting the contours of each portrait. This can be related to the science during the era as philosophers developed different thoughts by analyzing only actual facts. Philosophers aimed to not use subjective interpretations just as Rembrandt’s portraits did not need to be interpreted under a subjective lens.

Picasso’s cubistic works greatly contrasted from Rembrandt’s portraits as they illuminated the devastation of society during this time. As World War II began, many civilians began to lose trust in the government and saw this event as a great tragedy. Picasso’s use of vibrant colors and geometric shapes and lines distort reality in order for the viewer to use a subjective lens when interpreting the meaning of Picasso’s works. For example, Guernica depicted the tragedy of the German and Italian attack on the Spanish city of Guernica. Many innocent civilians’ lives were lost. Picasso painted this piece in order to convey an anti-war sentiment and highlighted the suffering of society during this time. Having a subjective perspective when interpreting the meaning of Picasso’s works elicits the true essence for the viewer to capture. Picasso’s works can be related to the religion during this period as one needed to interpret one’s self and messages from God in order to endure the hardships during this time.

Modern Era Synthesis T2P2

The Modern Era was characterized by the public reverting to the traditional beliefs dealing with religion, family and self-consciousness. The ideals became slightly more refined so did some of the art, but some of it did not. Two great artists of this time had completely opposite styles. Picasso illustrated that with his cubism and Rembrandt showed this with his psychological portraits. Both of these artists were brilliant, and both of them made different social statements in their work. Picasso was a painter that wanted to make the general public more aware of what surrounded them, especially the war. World War II was raging when Picasso was at his painting prime. Art pieces that he did during this period interpreted the war in some way. Take Guernica, this is a beautiful painting but the event it is describing is a horrific time in our history. While Picasso brought to light the anguish and distress of the Modern Era, Rembrandt illustrated the tame and refined nature of the era. He did this through amazing portraits of people and nature. Because of what he was illustrating his surroundings he made his paintings more polished then Picassos’ were. Rembrandts’ The Storm on the Sea of Galilee showed specifically peoples’ emotions, which do not show up as much in Picassos’ paintings. Both of these artists were attempting to make statements and they both did. Picassos’ message drew his audiences attention to the nightmare of war and sadness and Rembrandt showed his supporters the tendency of the era to be reflective and polished.

Modern Era Synthesis

Period 2

Team 4

Modern Era Synthesis

Modern Era was the time when technology structured cities and saw agriculture’s new existence as a large factory, causing people to experience new technology and globalization which allowed people to interact and live interdependent lives. Development of technology altered conditions as well as the way people think. People began to pursue new ways of life, abandoning the old conventions that had been the legacy and influence in the American society. America during this era faced sharply fluctuating economic circumstances, from prosperity that came with technological advancements to the Great Depression. With these drastic events that changed the face of the world forever, change became the norm. Moreover, people, during the time of prosperity, relied on the government until the economic turnover, which began to implant distrust in the people. This extreme phase led people to question the family, the government, and the Church as to whether anyone can be trusted. Each individual behaves and thinks uniquely, naturally leading to introspection. The individual’s recognition of difference contributes to their challenging of old beliefs and bringing up new ideas. Men’s traditional mythical view transformed to incorporate the existence of others and create one’s own culture as the cities, trade, and communication arose. As spiritual entities, people believe that logical analysis with no spiritual connection lacks personal meaning. Humans have desire, an emotional will that is beyond pure reason. When there are no ways to express this within the cultural norms of society, it can beget fanaticism, radicalism, and extremism causing people look for some way to reveal their idiosyncratic existence.

Asher p4t3 Modern Era Synthesis

Although Rembrandt and Picasso were both masters of the canvas, their depictions and perspectives were different, as shown through their masterpieces. Rembrandt used magnificent colors and brilliant lighting in his portraits giving them a clear scene.

For example, in Rembrandt’s paintings such as The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, much emotion is expressed in the faces of the people and the setting of the painting which creates a solemnly austere mood. In contrast, Picasso used an innovative style of artwork known as cubism which was overwhelmingly abstract. In paintings such as the renowned Guernica, shapes and cubes are scattered and colors are minimal as deep sorrow is expressed. However, symbolism takes over as the viewer draws conclusions in a similar manner as in impressionism. Just like these two contrasting paintings, the Modern Era was a time of opposition as clashes in ideals were prevalent. One parallel is the conflict between science and religion as this era gave rise to many great thinkers and individuals such as Albert Einstein and Pope Pius XII. The parallel that can be drawn is that Rembrandt’s style represents science and Picasso’s style represents religion. Like Rembrandt’s artwork which is clear and vivid, science is rich with information that can be proven in a perceivable manner. Picasso’s artwork is similar to religion in that one looks deeper within themselves to find purpose and realization. Despite all the controversy, some individuals were able to find balance. For example, Pope Pius XII stated that the scientific belief of evolution pertained to the body whereas the religious beliefs of the bible pertained to the soul.

Asher.p4.t9 Modern Era Synthesis Question

If one were to observe Rembrandt (born and died around the 1600’s) painstakingly detailed art style and compare it to Picasso’s (born in 1881 and died 1973) abstract, sometimes confusing form, one would see that there is a clear distinction between their styles, suggesting that there is a clear distinction in the eras in which they lived. Rembrandt’s style is consistent; its form follows an attention to detail and close adherence to realism that can be found in most of his art. Picasso, on the other hand, switches styles before and during the era as seen in the difference between his Boy with a Pipe, Guernica, and his newfound interest in sculpting. It reflects the social instability of the Modern era, which spans an antebellum period to a post-war period, in which the changing attitudes of the people fostered a change in art style and in themes, reflecting bigger social dynamics at work. Also, during this era, a lot of Picasso’s abstract work tended to focus on the war, depicting surreal scenes of violence and massacre as in Guernica and Massacre in Korea. The theme of these works show social unrest stemming from all the political instability of the Modern Era; consecutive wars and a long period of depression have left the people longing for peace and stability. His choice in abstract art is so because he chooses to let his audience decipher the symbols in his art, suggesting that people are beginning to appreciate the more ambiguous parts of the humanities and deciding for themselves what the symbols mean.

Ash.p4.t7 Edwardian Synthesis

The art of Picasso and Rembrandt are undeniably dissimilar, and the drastic change in style definitely articulates the transformation that was evident in the modern period. Rembrandt was known for his art of portraiture. He depicted people in real life circumstances, and at times, himself. Picasso was popular in the modern era; he developed and launched the artistic movement called cubism and painted unreal and abnormal art. The purpose of the work of Picasso was mainly to demonstrate injustice, anguish, and distress. This abnormal style of work attracted the audience, while focusing the attention on the pain and misery. The work he is most recognized for is the Guernica, which exhibits the abomination of the Spanish Civil War and depicted the ridiculous politics during the time period that motivated these horrid acts among innocent bystanders. Even other popular figures during the Edwardian period referred to art to highlight social statements. Hitler used propaganda through artwork to justify his atrocious mindset. In the Modern period, social statements about politics are apparent throughout Picasso’s artwork. Nations were at brink of war, the spirit of the atmosphere was filled with anxiety and worry. The work of Picasso showcased the fear instilled in the people at this time. Artwork was not only used to depict a picture; it focused attention on the zeitgeist of the time period, as well as social statements and politics.

Tim Szu, Devin Mitchell, Jason Sim