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Period: to
Modernism
Denoting a time from about the 1870s to the 1970s, Modernism was a movement in art and culture that pushed art to become more industrialized, but also pushed the boundaries of realism into practices like surrealism, impressionism, and postimpressionism. In literature, writing was ushered into new territory with techniques such as stream of consciousness. In music, the Jazz Age sprung into existence in the 1920s, but not before the avante-gard style made its way into Paris opera houses. -
"Impression, Sunrise"
Claude Monet. Impressionism.
One of the most famous pieces of Impressionism, perhaps outside of "Water Lilies," Monet's sunrise is a calming depiction of a new dawn as we dive into the new dawn of art. -
Eiffel Tower
Gustave Eiffel.
A literal pillar of Parisian culture, the Eiffel Tower is a standing achievement to simplicity, but detail. -
"Irises"
Vincent Van Gogh. Postimpressionism.
Perhaps more lifelike than "Olive Trees," "Irises" is a lush example of Van Gogh's dedication to imagintion and color. -
"Olive Trees in a Mountainous Landscape (with the Alpilles in the Background)"
Vincent van Gogh. Postimpressionism.
All at once subtle, in your face, calm and stormy, this painting encapsulates "form of beauty" (Plotinus 61). -
"The Water Lily Pond"
Claude Monet. Impressionism.
One of Monet's most famous paintings, the bridge is a fine example of crossing over from your previous life into the next. Alternatively, the bridge lets your soul pass from this world into Beauty. -
"Muse on Pegasus"
Odilon Redon. Symbolism.
As the century turns, so does impressionism turn to symbolism, allowing the imagination that Collingwood loves to take hold. -
The Rite of Spring
Igor Stravinsky
After the first performance of this piece, there was a riot. Look it up.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkwqPJZe8ms) -
A Trip to the Moon
Georges Méliès.
Pure imagination, ala Collingwood. Though perhaps the film is not up to our stands of the 21st century, it is an achievment in adventure filmmaking in the early 1900s. -
"Grand Canal, Venice"
Claude Monet. Impressionism.
Abandoning subdued, or realistic colors for a more colorful pallet, "Grand Canal, Venice" captures the magic of a place many do not have the luxery of visiting. -
"Girl with Mandolin"
Pablo Picasso. Cubism.
So many Picasso's to choose from, but "Girl with Mandolin" plays with the structure of the painting, chunking it out in a way the girl may play "chunked" chords on her mandolin. -
"Antibes, the Pink Cloud"
Paul Signac. Pointillism.
A piece of Postimpressionism, Signac's "Pink Cloud" literally pieces together beauty one tick at a time. -
The Underground
Edward Johnston. Minimalism.
One of the most famous signs in the world, Johnston's "The Underground" is a symbol of English no-nonsense. -
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Quite possibly one of the finest books ever written, Fitzgerald's Gatsby (and crew) captures the immortality of the human consciousness, the longing and possessive nature of love, and the fraudulence of the American Dream. -
To the Lighthouse
Virginia Woolf.
One of the first texts written in a stream of consciousness, Woolf's novel is us at our basest form -- wanting to go somewhere, getting there, and deflating. -
The Chrysler Building
Art Deco.
A literal monument to the grace and sheen of art deco. -
"American Gothic"
Grant Wood. Oil Painting.
Originally thought to be mocking American rural life, we can also see it as the reality of life. Hard, lined, and sometimes boring. -
"The Persistence of Memory"
Salvador Dali. Surrealism.
Perhaps Dali's most famous piece, time always melts away, even for time itself. -
Sing Sing Sing
Louis Prima.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2S1I_ien6A)
A song that captures of the spirit of American drive. -
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Walt Disney.
The first feature-length animated film. A model that we have been copying for over 80 years, with no end in sight. -
"Blue Poles"
Jackson Pollock. Abstract Expressionism.
See: Collingwood and imagination. -
Waiting for Godot
Written by Samuel Beckett
Though perhaps not subtle in its execution, "Waiting for Godot" is Tolstoy's dream of art as communication, letting the audience know we all search for the meaning of existence. In fact, we just wait for it. -
The Crucible
Written by Arthur Miller
An allegory, not unlike "The Allegory of the Cave" (Plato) that has immense staying power. Always relevant, we are reminded during the play of the purpose of your beliefs, the sway of the crowd, and the fallability of governmental systems. -
The Lord of the Rings
J.R.R. Tolkien
The birth of modern fantasy starts here (and perhaps with "The Hobbit" in 1937). "The Lord of the Rings" is art in its finest form; as communication, allegory, Truth, and humanity. And also monsters and magic. -
"Drowning Girl"
Roy Lichtenstein. Pop Art.
There are many pieces of Pop Art that could be seen in a Fine Art display, but Lichtenstein's comic book pieces encapsulate the 60s culture and art form all in one. -
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Ernest Lehman.
A complete deconstruction of the family unit, Lehman's brilliant play (and film) is “art is truth setting itself to work” (Heidegger 351).
