Maryam Aman

Students Name Teacher’s Name Course Name Date But why is it art? Introduction This paper will examine and analyze three distinctive forms of art that were adopted by the artists during late nineteenth and twentieth century. Cubism, Futurism and Social Realism will be discussed here with reference to the impact these art movements had on the society. Reading quotes that you will use as support. Use MLA in-text citations for all of your outline quotes (see explanation above) 1. Cubism 2. Futurism 3. Social Realism 1. 2. Thesis A social and psychological change was seen in the late nineteenth and twentieth century in the society as people started to rebel against the traditional ways living. This paper will analyze the effects this change had on the arts of that time and the way people reacted to this change. Cubism Cubism was a totally different form of art as compared to the one that was being created and followed before the modern era. Reading quotes that you will use as support. 1. The change in economy, industrial revolution, changes in means of transport, production and a rapid change and innovation of technology led to a drastic change in thinking and standpoints of people. 1. 2. Their art was innovative and creative; it consisted of geometric forms and deformed shapes. Initially, this form of art was limited to sculpture and paintings only, but with the passage of time it was seen in music, architecture and literature as well. 2. 3. The geometric shapes were distorted and re-aligned so that they could convey the message of the art piece in a unique way. 3. Social Realism Social realism was an art movement which was in line with cubism as far as expression of thought is concerned Reading quotes that you will use as support. 1. It depicted the real-life situation of people and the problems they were facing. 1. 2. It was a breath of fresh air as it gave the world a new vocabulary for expression in art. 2. 3. Social realism portrayed the actual conditions of its time and gave form to social issues that were otherwise ignored by the governments of that time. 3. Futurism Futurism was about new technology, industrial cities and high speed. The architecture of that time showed sharp and edgy buildings with a touch of surreal form of space. This movement was seen in other forms of art as well. Reading quotes that you will use as support. 1 The artists took their inspiration from the situation all around them and showed a better future which gave hope for prosperity to the masses. 1. 2. Futurist art is mostly influenced by dynamic forms of geometry. 2. 3. The architecture of that time showed sharp and edgy buildings with a touch of surreal form of space. 3. Works Cited (see explanation above) Late nineteenth century saw a radical change in thinking and life-style of people. Secularism became quite popular and religion became a choice rather than a compulsion for the people. The change in economy, industrial revolution, changes in means of transport, production and a rapid change and innovation of technology led to a drastic change in thinking and standpoints of people. This change was then reflected in every form of art, be it music, dance, painting, sculpture, literature, drama or any other form of art. Various art movements were witnessed during this period which included; futurism, cubism, fauvism, minimalism, surrealism, pop art, installation art, pluralism, art deco, social realism, expressionism and so on. This paper will analyze the effects this change had on the arts of that time and the way people reacted to this change. Three art movements, which are, futurism, cubism and social realism will be studied and analyzed for this purpose as these three art movements had a significant impact on people of modern era. Cubism was a totally different form of art as compared to the one that was being created and followed before the modern era. Miller (2008) claims that artists of that time who promoted cubism totally overruled the notion that art should depict the nature, instead, they created art that was abstract and in complete contrast with the traditional form of art. Artists like Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque promoted cubism because it depicted the thinking and point of view of people who were going through a radical change during that time period. Their art was innovative and creative; it consisted of geometric forms and deformed shapes. Initially, this form of art was limited to sculpture and paintings only, but with the passage of time it was seen in music, architecture and literature as well. The reason this form gained so much popularity is that people were able to relate to it. They could see their feelings and thinking reflected in everything around them which encouraged them to voice their concerns and standpoints related to the world around them. They could see their perspectives being represented in a greater context. It was a kind of visual language which was understood by many people who had know-how of art. The geometric shapes were distorted and re-aligned so that they could convey the message of the art piece in a unique way. People were struggling with the changes that were going all around them, they needed a means to understand these changes and become a part of it. Art provided the solution for that change and transition. Rewald (2000) compared different forms of art that incorporated cubism and concluded that abstraction that was adopted in cubism had a great impact on other art movements that were initiated between 1850s – 1970s. Surrealism and Dada was greatly influenced by cubism as it gave a very innovative medium for expression. Similarly, Social realism was an art movement which was in line with cubism as far as expression of thought is concerned. It depicted the real-life situation of people and the problems they were facing. Finocchio (2000), in his article “Nineteenth-Century French Realism” highlights the situation that preceded the promotion of Social realism. He says this form of art conveyed a message that was based on truth and objective vision of modern life. During early twentieth century, the world experienced a great global economic depression which resulted in dissatisfaction and gloom all around. Racial discrimination was on the rise which often resulted in riots. Social realism paved the way for expression of thought which was welcomed by everyone. It was a breath of fresh air as it gave the world a new vocabulary for expression in art. It proved to be the dawn of democratic art which illustrated the lives of the urban poor people who was living in slums. Gustave Courbet, a well renowned artist of social realism was of the view that a painting should represent the actual situation of the society instead of fantasy. Social realism portrayed the actual conditions of its time and gave form to social issues that were otherwise ignored by the governments of that time. Every issue of the society was highlighted in this art movement; crime scenes, beggars, political unrest, racial discrimination, gender discrimination, sexual harassment, war zones, poverty and every other social issue was featured in social realism which helped people in coming forward for their rights. Apart from paintings, social realism was expressed in the form of murals as well. In Latin America and Brazil, murals played a major role in depicting the problems of local people who were struggling for their rights and an improved standard of living. As much as it was important to portray the socio-economic conditions of the people, it was seen as equally important to think about the future and move forward in terms of technology and skill. Futurism was a social movement that, for the first time in history showed future in the form of art. This movement was very pronounced in architecture of that time. Futurism was all about new technology, industrial cities and high speed. The architecture of that time showed sharp and edgy buildings with a touch of surreal form of space. This movement was seen in other forms of art as well. Interior design, graphic design, fashion, music, literature, urban design, film, ceramics, sculpture, textiles, painting and every other form of art embraced futurism with open arms. It gave people hope for a better future and a better standard of life for coming generations. However, Romer (2009) is of the view that this movement derived all its ideas from anarcho-syndicalism. The artists took their inspiration from the situation all around them and showed a better future which gave hope for prosperity to the masses. Futurist art is mostly influenced by dynamic forms of geometry. Umberto Boccioni was one of the most prominent artists of furturist art. His sculptures depicted an innovative style of art that was not seen in any movement before. These art forms depicted the thoughts and different perspectives of the people who were going through a radical change in their lives due to the advent of industrial revolution which resulted in a huge change in society as well as personal life of people. This change was then reflected in every form of art, be it music, dance, painting, sculpture, literature, drama or any other form of art. Abstract geometry, dynamic forms, sharp edged art style was most prominent in modern art. Modern art became popular because it portrayed the actual conditions of its time and gave form to social issues that were otherwise ignored by the governments of that time. It was a kind of visual language which was understood by many people who could relate to it. The socio-economic conditions of the people were showcased through art which gave them a means of expression. The architecture of that time also showed sharp and edgy buildings with a touch of surreal form of space. This movement was seen in other forms of art as well. Traditional forms of art were totally rejected by the modern artists who promoted their own innovative form of art. Works Cited Finocchio, R. Nineteenth-Century French Realism. Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000. Miller, A.J. Einstein, Picasso: Space, Time and the Beauty That Causes Havoc. 2008. Rewald, S. Cubism. Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000. Romer, C. J. The Futurist Movement; Italian Art & History – a very short introduction. 2009