Modernism found its presence in late 19th and early 20th century. There were transformations in all the societal parameters. Mention can be made particularly of the industries, where the effect of modernism was the most. One of the striking facts of modernism was that it rejected the religious beliefs, ideas and sentiments (Walsh, 2015). In the literary works, the shades of modernism can be found. Typical examples of this are Ezra Pound’ s Injection (1934). This poem revived the past culture, which became obsolete due to the advent of westernization. Along with this, example can be cited of the “stream of consciousness novel”, abstract music and art. As a matter of specification, these symbols reflect the drab monotony, which the people underwent in their existence.
The advent of modernism in Australia can be understood from the book, Modernism and Australia: Documents of Art, Design and Architecture 1917-1967 (Stephen, McNamara & Goad, 2006). Here, Ann Stephen makes her audience aware of the transitions, which Australia underwent in the period of 1917-1967. “Documents” are the arts and architecture, which upholds the shades of modernism. These transitions can be perceived from three different time periods, which involves the four aspects of modernism- Interdisciplinary, Visual Arts, Design and Architecture. The documentation of the modernist forms acts as a representation for the thoughts, ideas and their expression in case of the people in the modern society. In the phase of 1917-1967, transformations mainly catered to the developments in Australia (Stephen, McNamara & Goad, 2006). Political unrest, economic depressions were the features in the first half of the 20th century. The thought process of the some intellectuals resulted in the creation of a modernism culture. This was reflected in the art and architectural designs.
Modern art forms in Australia
Modernist shade in Australian art can be found in the later half of the 19th century. In the late 1980, most of the Australian artists aimed to explore post modernist approaches towards the contemporary themes of the time. Commercialization made the people independent, adding meaning to their meaningless existence. Photography can be considered as one of the documents, which projected the multiculturalism in the urban society (Lindgren & Ross, 2015). The suburban landscapes found their importance in the brush strokes of painters like Sidney Nolan, Patricia Piccinini, Ben Quilty among others. Mention can be made of the “suitcase model of modern art” used by one of the Sydney student, Norah Simpson. Here, she highlighted the oft quoted anecdotes, which is a part of aristocratic modern society. The Aboriginal artists uplifted the standards of living for the modern women. This is through the means of providing space for enhancement of the personality.
1995 was the period, which encountered development of the Australian art. This was through the means of commercialization. Technological advancement occupies an important position in this discussion. The aim was to incorporate young talents into the field of art for presenting the modern Australian culture in a proper manner (O’Callaghan, Hogben & Freestone, 2016). Upgradation in the educational curriculum made this aim a realistic and achievable one. 1990 was the turning point in the life of the Aboriginal people. This is when their living standards attained the true sense of modernism. Their culture and tradition was reflected in the paintings, which were sold in the market. This was an innovative means for attracting the foreign customers and enhancing the cultural diversity.
Architectural modernism in Australia
Modernism was also found in the architectural designs. Joan Kerr’s Dictionary of Australian Art Projects can be mentioned in this context. Aloong with this, Bernard Smith’s Documents on Art and Taste in Australia gains a prominent place in the discussion related to the modernist shades in the Australian architecture. Typical examples in this direction are the metropolitan apartment blocks, shops, cinema halls among others. Neo-classical forms of art was used by the artists to picturize the architecture styles (Back, 2017). Typical traits of this art form were curved and soft lines. Speed, utility and modernity were reflected in the paintings, which aligned with the fast-paced machine life of the modern society. As a matter of specification, there were improvements in the sanitation, economic and health benefits, environment. In the buildings, the modern art forms were used. The construction was such, which allowed the free movement of light and air. The color was such which was pleasant to the eyes. Modernist architecture related with the comfort and convenience of the people. Examples can be cited of the complexes with apartments, parking lots, swimming pools, shopping areas and other amenities.
Critical analysis of the modernist forms
Modernism found its advent along with the westernization and globalization. Every aspect of society got the touch of modernism in terms of achieving growth and development. This involves art, architecture, music and literature among others. The focus of this section would be on the modernist architecture forms in Australia. One of the striking features of modern architecture is the use of old materials (Stephen & McNamara, 2015). This reflects the mentality of reusing the waste materials. Herein lays the awareness regarding preservation of the ecological biodiversity. Innovation and creativity were the major outcomes. The materials used in the construction were steel and glass. One of the major themes is the social welfare, which assisted in maintaining the balance between the architecture and landscape. The example of Warrnambool Campus can be cited. The architecture is splendid, as it is easily recognizable from the streets.
The abstract form of the art relates with the lack of understanding of the people regarding the nature of their existence. However, the architectural designs of the buildings provided an escape to the people from the drab monotony (McNamara, 2016). Cloud House is one such architectural form. The geometric and color game of the building exposes the people to the traditional structures. Countering this, the architecture of the house adds innovation to the interior designing of the house.
Companionship is lacking in the modern life of Australia. This is because of the hard work, which the people need to do for fulfilling the basic survival needs. In the process of fulfilling these needs, the people hardly find time for themselves. However, people have themselves discovered recreational activities. Herein lays the example of the houses with orchard. Recent paintings reflect the gardening activities into which the people indulge for achieving the necessary recreation (Wünsche, 2016). The other forms of recreation are visits to the museums, art galleries. Here, the soft, curve and geometric lines of the paintings reflected the abstract, open-ended nature of existence. This was because the humans were merely the puppets in the hands of fate with no choice at all.
Commercialization found its way along with the discussion on the architectural forms. The innovative and crazy architectural designs were enough to lure the customers. This acted as an agent towards adding to the sales revenue and profit margin, which was main trend of the modernism in business. This trend contradicted the aspect of social welfare. This is in terms of grabbing the hot seat in the competitive ambience (Macarthur, 2015). The people became selfish in terms of practicing a lavish aristocratic life. Pretending to have a richer life was the transcendence of the marginalized people towards an utopian society. The artists very well depicted these feelings in the form of abstract art and architecture.
Modernism was also reflected in the field of education. In order to provide quality education to the students, more courses were incorporated into the educational curriculum. For this, the buildings were made spacious. Lawns were created for recreational events, which indicated commercialization of education. However, traditional structure was revived in the form of paintings, which were preserved in the classrooms, offices and cafes. The students pursuing courses in art and architecture are asked to visit the tribal areas for gaining knowledge into their culture and traditions. This reflects the advent of tribal
culture into the threshold of modernism (Quin, 2017). Painting reflected an upliftment in their customs and traditions. The forms of painting were also a preservation of the cultural heritage. Exhibitions form an agent in terms of adding to the scope and arena of the business. Along with this, it is now a means to make the world acquainted with the cultural heritage of the Australia.
Inclusion of tribal heritage within the educational curriculum is one of the other shades of modernism in Australia. Practical examinations, fests and cultural shows is a way of upholding the cultural symbols towards the society. This might act as a lesson for the urban people in terms of maintaining the close-knit unity and coordination within the familial ties in spite of hard work pressure.
In terms of health and social care, modernism relates to the incorporation of new medical courses for the students. Better placement opportunities have made Australia a popular destination for higher studies (Johnston, 2015). Along with this, the technological advancement has resulted in the upgradation of the health and social care care services. This has resulted in the addition into the service users. The modern people are health conscious, which has reduced the risk of the diseases largely. There has been an increase in the number of healthcare centres, which answers the queries of the people regarding their health issues. The architectural design of the healthcare centres add to the ease of the people in terms of reaching to the respective department. Herein lays the effectiveness of strategic planning, with due consideration of the social welfare (Rees, 2017).
Playgrounds and gyms have been added to the residential complexes. This is in terms of providing recreational facilities to the people. Greenery of the playgrounds exposes the people towards the beauty of nature, which has become obsolete under the influence of drab monotony. On the other hand, this exposure is crucial for the children in terms of ensuring their physical fitness and reducing the risk of obesity (Varney & D’Urso, 2015).
Conclusion
Modernism is a concept, which is constantly evolving. With maturity and advancement in planning, more creative ideas and thoughts would emerge. Here, the limitations in the threshold of Australia are nullified. This is in terms of the diversified arena of modernism, involving the whole world.
Photography for depicting modern Australian life
With the advancement of the civilization, modernism also found its place in the field of photography. Mention can be made of vernacular photography, which gained prominence in the museums of North South Wales (Rees, 2017). As a matter of specification, this type of photography exposed the characteristic trends of 20th century. The subjects of the paintings were landscapes and sceneries, which upholds the existence of the people.
Mention can also be made of the photo frames, depicting abstract art and tribal life, which finds its importance in the modern household (McNamara, 2016). Presence of these art forms is a live example of modernism in Australia with due consideration of cultural heritage. Reference can be drawn to the picture, which reflects a peacock within a beautiful landscape. This symbol provided an escape to the people from drab monotony of a meaningless existence
References
Aboriginalartdirectory.com (2018), Aboriginal commercial art, Retrieved 18th may 2018 from https://www.aboriginalartdirectory.com/shop/gallery/yaram-arts.php
Back, L. (2017). The Many Modernisms of Australian Art. A Companion to Modern Art, 321.
Dezeen.com (2018), Warrnambool campus building by Lyons, Retrieved 18th May 2018 from https://www.dezeen.com/2010/07/20/warrnambool-campus-building-by-lyons/
Johnston, C. (2015). The beautiful dead: The aversion, appearance and mediation of death in Australian First World War art. History Australia, 12(3), 137-159.
Lindgren, A., & Ross, S. (Eds.). (2015). The Modernist World. Routledge.
Macarthur, D. (2015). THE EXPERIENCE OF ABORIGINALITY IN THE CREATION OF THE RADICALLY NEW. The Modernist World, 227.
McNamara, A. (2016). Inversions, conversions, aberrations: Visual acuity and the erratic chemistry of art-historical transmission in a transcultural situation. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Art, 16(1), 3-21.
O’Callaghan, J., Hogben, P., & Freestone, R. (2016). Sydney’s Martin Place: A cultural and design history. Allen & Unwin.
Quin, S. (2017). Towards a global discourse:’Making Modernism’. Art Monthly Australia, (296), 50.
Rees, A. (2017). Reading Australian modernity: Unsettled settlers and cultures of mobility. History Compass, 15(11).
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Stephen, A., McNamara, A. E., & Goad, P. (2006). Modernism and Australia: Documents on art, design and architecture 1917-1967. The Miegunyah Press/Melbourne University Publishing.
Thedesignfiles.net (2018), Modern Australian art, Retrieved 18th May 2018 from https://thedesignfiles.net/2010/11/modernist-australia-raw-materials/
Traveller.com.au (2018), Tribal culture of Australia, Retrieved 18th May 2018 from https://www.traveller.com.au/tribal-tourism-the-allure-of-ancient-cultures-gxlyts
Varney, D., & D’Urso, S. (2015). Patrick White and aesthetic modernism in mid-century Australia. Australasian Drama Studies, (66), 63.
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Wünsche, I. (2016). Western Modernism at and beyond the Margins: František Kupka and Margaret Preston. The Humanities between Global Integration and Cultural Diversity, 6, 141.
Peterwalker.com.au (2018), Early Australian and European Art, Retrieved 25th May 2018 from https://www.peterwalker.com.au/early-australian–european.html
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