Modernism

Modernism can be defined as a profound intellectual movement that emerged in the late 19th century and early 20th century, influencing various fields such as art, literature, architecture, philosophy and science such as. Modernism was a movement that focused on innovative and experimental approaches by challenging traditional thought structures. Shaped by the Industry Revolution, technological innovations and scientific advancements, modernist understanding questioned the fundamental values underlying human experience and sought to introduce a new perspective to culture.

The Birth and Fundamental Causes of Modernism

The emergence of modernism was a consequence of social, economic and political changes in Europe. During the 19th century, the industry Revolution and the spread of capitalism brought urban areas to the forefront and opened the way for profound social transformations. At the same time, scientific developments such as Darwin’s evolution theory, Freud’s psychoanalysis and Einstein’s theory of relativity brought fundamental questions about the individual’s place in the universe to the forefront. Traditional systems of thought proved inadequate to comprehend this new era, and modernism emerged as a new intellectual paradigm to fill this void. Modernism was a movement that emphasized individuality and uniqueness. Modernist artists, who questioned traditional cultural and moral norms, turned toward understanding the complexity of human experience by dismantling social conventions. Simultaneously, the innovative techniques observed in modernist works enabled the artist to emerge as a primary vehicle of creative expression.

Modernism in Art

In art, modernism signified a departure from traditional norms in both form and content. Impressionism, an early movement within modernist art, moved away from traditional realism by developing an expressive style based on impressions. Later modernist movements expanded the boundaries of art through experimental styles such as Fauvism, Cubism and Surrealism.

Cubism rejected traditional perspective by reducing objects to geometric forms and offered viewers a new framework through which to perceive reality. Surrealism, by exploring the mysteries of the unconscious and the power of dreams, presented a new narrative style in which reality and imagination converged. All these movements were expressions of modernism’s emphasis on individual creativity and its generation of aesthetic pluralism.

Modernism in Literature

In literature, modernism introduced radical innovations in both form and content. Works such as James Joyce’s Ulysses and Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway rejected traditional narrative styles by reflecting the inner world of the individual through stream-of-consciousness techniques. T.S. Eliot’s poem The Waste Land fragmented traditional poetic structures to present a multilayered narrative capturing the complexity of the modern world. Modernist literature also embraced innovative methods that pushed the limits of language while addressing themes such as individual alienation and social critique. In Franz Kafka’s works, the conflict between the individual and society and a sense of absurd reality became defining characteristics of modernist literature.

Modernism in Architecture

Modernism also left a significant mark on architecture. Modernist architects who moved away from traditional styles emphasized simplified forms and functionality. Pioneering architects such as Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright and Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe developed designs that met the demands of the industrial age by using innovative materials and technologies. Le Corbusier’s concept of the “machine for living” embodied the modernist principle of prioritizing functionality in architecture, while Mies van der Rohe’s principle of “less is more” expressed the minimalist ethos of modernist design. Modernism also influenced urban planning and the concept of social architecture, aiming to create more livable and functional cities.

Philosophical Foundations and Criticisms

The philosophical foundations of modernism are rooted in the works of thinkers such as Friedrich Nietzsche, Sigmund Freud and Henri Bergson. Nietzsche’s declaration that “God is dead” signified the collapse of traditional moral values, while Freud’s theory of the unconscious offered a new perspective on the complexity of human behavior. This philosophical underpinning of modernism manifested itself in artistic and literary works. Nevertheless, modernism was frequently subjected to criticism. Its structure that elevated individualism was criticized by some commentators for severing social bonds and driving individuals into isolation. Moreover, modernism’s radical and innovative methods were often perceived by certain segments of the public as incomprehensible and elitist.