modernism

the armory show

• Modernism was first realized in U.S. around 1913 because of the shock and outrage of an art exhibit called The Armory Show
• Marcel Duchamp, a French radical, infamous for his upside-down urinal piece signed "R. Mutt" 1917
• Influenced William Carlos Williams

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defining modernism

• Intended to break away from predictable, everyday life
• Said to be International, but American at heart
• Took place between the first years of the 20th century and the end of World War II
• Used techniques such as irony to wedge itself into tradition and "...pious beliefs that would keep us from knowing our true selves."
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contradiction loop

• Modernist writers attempted to go against the social and political hierarchies who continue old, problematic traditions.
• Modernist writers were kind of obnoxious, but in the well-intended- yet- still- incredibly- privileged- next -to- the- underbelly- of- marginalization...kind of way.

Modernism and the Harlem Renaissance

• Because of the elitism within most modernist circles, many of the period's black writers did not identify with the movement
• In order to sustain a living at the time, though, their work would have to appeal to white audiences, as well
• Economic struggles due to illiteracy and widespread, parasitic racism keeping black audiences from supporting black artists

parallels

• Modernism and the Harlem Renaissance began around 100 years ago around the early 20th century
• Technology advancements and the unresolved, legal ending of slavery forces rapid changes in society
• Modernist writers, as well as many black writers, faced with identity crisis but for different reasons
• Comparing to 2017/2018, with the ever evolving complexities of the internet and smart phone accessibility, society yet again has gone through a harsh change
• Younger generations putting a wedge into the status quo with human rights reform, more racial awareness, diversity in gender and sexuality
• Like them, we can see it in our art