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The Twentieth Century
Objectives

Chapter 22, the final chapter of A World of Art, deals almost exclusively with The Twentieth Century. What will become clear as you read the chapter is that an exponential leap in technology results in technological leaps for the art world as well. As scientists and philosophers put forth new theories about the world, artists respond and incorporate those ideas in their work. Art movements and styles become fleeting.

After reading this chapter you should:

know the following movements, their chronology, and the artists associated with them:
- Cubism
- Fauvism
- Expressionism
- Futurism
- Dada
- Surrealism
- Abstract Expressionism
- Pop Art
- Minimalism
- Postmodernism
know some of the theories and ideas behind the movements, such as Automatism, Nihilism, and Pluralism. Also, there are many styles within the movements; Action Painting and Color Field Painting were both styles associated with Abstract Expressionism; Surrealism had its abstract painters and its representational painters, etc.
understand that Cézanne, who's advice was "to see the world in terms of the cylinder, cone and sphere," is often thought to be the "father" of "Modern Art." The work of Cézanne inspired Picasso and Braque to develop their early ideas about Cubism, one of the first truly abstract and modern styles.
recognize that while Futurism optimistically embraced the potential of twentieth century technology, Dada was a response to the actual destruction that technology brought in World War One.
know the contribution that the WORKS IN PROGRESS artist Pablo Picasso made to twentieth-century art, and the courage it took to paint Guernica, an image of utter horror, and a direct slap in the face to Franco and the Nazis. Also—see how WORKS IN PROGRESS architect Frank O. Gehry has created a stunning new vision for architecture with the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, where once again, technology and topography meet with an amazing result.
recognize that WWII would result in a migration of artists, writers, designers and architects from Europe to the United States. From 1945 on, New York would be the unofficial capital of the art world.

Art in the twentieth century is the art of our century, and while it is often difficult to understand, once we do, we see that it produced the most engaging and stimulating work. In the late 40's and early 50's Abstract Expressionism gains its full momentum, followed by Pop Art, Minimalism, Performance Art, Conceptual Art, and Postmodernism— a pluralistic art incorporating diverse ideas and cultural values. The art of the twentieth century is often the most challenging, and chapters 1-17 gave you a solid background in its theories and processes. The chronology presented in Chapter 22 will help place it in historic perspective. In The Critical Process the author addresses how the two primary emphases in this text-art history and artists, come together. Robert Rauschenberg has secured his place in art history, but in part, he did this by paying homage to art history in his own work.

In a sense, this artist has consistently recycled or reevaluated the history of his own discipline in a manner which renews it. How and why is art and the history of art important to you? Consider the works of art that you have either created, or the reproductions of works of art that you have purchased to hang on your walls. From the first chapter, A World of Art has encouraged you to consider art from your own vantage point. If you were asked to represent yourself through images from the history of art, which one's would you choose?