Technological progress has affected not only industry and people’s lives but also art. After a significant technological revolution in the use of new technologies, people have tried to reflect on the impact of progress on the world, humanity, and the soul. The same applies to artists who, using different contexts and techniques in their paintings, reflected the process of technological progress and the transition to a new era. In addition, new trends in the visual arts have appeared, which also reflects the shift to new drawing techniques, namely the use of new styles and forms. The purpose of the work is to analyze various aspects of modernism and technology, utilizing some works and articles as an example.
The grid is an essential symbol of modernism, which has its own symbolic model. Thus, in the history of Western art, the grid was considered the banner of modernism.1 However, in some countries, the grid is seen as an ideological and formal device. It is believed that the grid can be a suitable medium in some artistic practices, provided that it is not perceived as an escapist model. Moreover, it should touch on the themes of the modern era, for instance, the pieces of modernism, namely the development of technology. In addition, the grid is considered an announcement of the modernity of art and symbolizes the transition from the past to the present.
In the works of modernism, aspects of a deeper discussion of the nature of fine art can be traced. For example, Curator Michael White, in his conversation about Mondrian’s work, discusses whether color by itself can be used without indicating anything.2 In other words, people have already developed specific associations with color, for example, a yellow circle is perceived as the sun. Thus, Mondrian decided to display the significance of color in rectangular forms. Moreover, it is noticeable how dramatically the artist changes color combinations in his works. In turn, it correlates with the general theme of the development of sharper forms in various objects and architecture as part of modernism.
In addition to the above, in the works of Mondrian, there is a connection with technological fundamentalism. Primarily, it is formulated by a particular transition and rejection of the old norms.3 In other words, an unusual style, namely the use of straight lines and shapes to convey a certain meaning. In the same way, there has been a transition in the industry to mass production and the abandonment of the old forms of production, namely slow and manual manufacturing. Moreover, technological fundamentalists believe that the benefits of new technologies are more significant than the harms. For example, the technology of gasoline combustion has made it possible for humanity to cover long distances while being in comfort quickly. At the same time, it created congestion and emissions into the atmosphere, negatively affecting climate and health.
To conclude, one can see the connection between the primary forms of modernism and the ways of its expression in the works of art. Primarily, it is formulated by the transition to new styles, shapes, and methods of using color. For example, with the help of rectangular figures, the significance of color is displayed, and the question of its use without indicating anything is raised. The transition to new technologies embodied the industrial revolution when humankind abandoned slow and manual production in favor of mass manufacturing. In addition, the grid is a symbol of modernism if it reflects the themes of the modern world.
Bibliography
Margarita, Tupitsyn. The Grid as a Checkpoint of Modernity. Tate Papers, n.d.
Michael, White. Introducing Piet Mondrian. Tate Papers, 2014.
Footnotes
- Margarita Tupitsyn, The Grid as a Checkpoint of Modernity (Tate Papers, n.d.).
- Michael White, Introducing Piet Mondrian. (Tate Papers, 2014).
- Michael White, Introducing Piet Mondrian. (Tate Papers, 2014).