American modernism

Park Hill was opened in 1961 and designed by architects Jack Lynn (1926- 2013) and Ivor Smith (born 1926). Their design was very ambitious for the era, 1,000 new homes were to be built. The homes were organised as three types of apartments to replace the poor quality terraces. It was said to be the first effective action to remove a community from the horrific and poor terraces. The unique shared walkways were tribute to Le Corbusier’s principle on residential housing design, Unité d'Habitation.…

Marcel Duchamp made a huge impact on twenty-century art. Duchamp shayed away from conventional methods of making art and developed a new type of art called “readymade”. According to the textbook, “His invention in 1913 of the “readymade,” defined by the Surrealist André Breton as “manufactured objects promoted to the dignity of art through the choice of the artist” (Arnason 220). Duchamp stated, “His selection of common “found” objects was guided by complete visual indifference, or “anaesthesia”…

America during the 1920s. Many people believe The Great Gatsby is the “Great American Novel.” For example, in Christopher Hitchens’ essay, The Road To West Egg, he states that he believes that this novel “outlives its abysmal weaknesses”. On the other hand, in H. L. Mencken’s essay, The Great Gatsby, Mencken states that “The Great Gatsby is in form no more than a glorified anecdote.” Is The Great Gatsby truly the “Great American Novel” that people make it out to be? Whereas there is merit in…

social commentator and enthusiastic - lover of all things modernism. The series explores the story of our Australian suburban landscape over the last 60 years, focusing on the development of our post war suburban architecture. It examines the success and popular culture of visionary architects from the 1950 's and 60's. Architects like Robyn Boyd, Sydney Ancher, Roy Grounds and Harry Seidler whom adopted the international style of modernism Streets of Your Town is a two-part ABC series, hosted…

The Modernist shift becomes evident by analyzing the formal and technical elements of Porch Shadows, as well as Paul Strand’s background in photography. To understand Strand’s intent behind this photograph it is helpful first to understand what Modernism is. Modernists abandoned historical subject matter in favor of portraying contemporary events and experimental representation. Modernists believed that meaning is intrinsically placed in an artwork by the artist and read by the viewer.…

Art Censorship: Necessary or Not? Art was judged by its beauty, emotional power, and personal interest. Now art is judged by safety guidelines determining if the art work is “viewer safe” or “pornographic”. Since the beginning of the artistic era; artists have challenged controversies and shown different mediums of thinking. But, society has neglected many of these works of art saying that the art is dangerous and harmful. So, to prevent such harm rules of censorship were created, but artists…

As part of Disability Awareness Week (December 3 to 9), The Spine and Limb Foundation will be hosting a Marketability event on Wednesday, December 6 from 10:00am to 3:00pm in front of the Paraquad Industries building. Marketability is an on-site event that will provide opportunities for people with disabilities to showcase their special achievements in various life roles including recreation and employment. This first-time event will consist of outdoor ‘market’ themed activities where artists…

Circle with Towers by SolleWitt The University of Texas at Austin is a great place that actively promotes a diversity of art around campus. One of the art work that belongs to the Landmarks’ collection, is the concrete block structure Circle with Tower by LeWitt, with the Wall Drawing #520 inside the building. The public Art Program of The University of Texas at Austin has purchased this concrete block sculpture, which is called “Circle with Towers”, from the Madison Square Park Conservancy in…

In the 20th century, new artistic styles sprang up all over the European continent, whereas many gifted painters executed numerous sensational works of art that not only shock the world, but also started an aesthetic revolution which represented a landmark in art history. It was headed by Fauvism leader Paul Cézanne, and then avant-garde artist Henri Matisse, as well as the pioneering Cubist Pablo Picasso. In my opinion, Paul Cézanne was the true begetter of modern art and a major influence in…

In Mark Rothko’s 1961 Orange, Red, Yellow abstract expressionist colour field artwork, displays the colours yellow, orange and red. The disembodied colours are piled up together creating this feeling of the colours hovering on the canvas. Orange, Red, Yellow by Mark Rothko evidently describes the abstract expressionist style. The media use of acrylic paint affected the style of the painting. The lack of form in Rothko’s painting can be evidently seen as Rothko painted three rectangular shapes…