Many issues have changed and revolutionized with the changing times in the world. Artistic features have changed in many aspects that include style, design, and themes among other elements that describe art in general. Technology and innovation are the key forces behind the differences noted from the world presented in the ancient times and modern days. Many artistic elements and forms that include buildings, music, paintings, sculptures and drawings among others display certain changes when compared to the work done in the modern times. These changes and revolutions witnessed in the past have been associated with certain developments or individuals who influenced or contributed to a concept that developed at that time. Some of the changes that developed in the parts had great influence that affected many parts and regions that impacted on the filed of art to a big extent. Vitalism movement is one example of the developments that transpired in the ancient past. The movement occurred between the years of 1940 -1960. The movements resulted into organizing shows that gave artists the forum to display their work and share knowledge and developments relating to the industry. Beyond the post world war periods, other new ideology and concepts were developed such as the Calder show. However, my goal in this paper is to compare the Calder show as a representation of modernism, and Vitalism movement that represents the recent past and presents various artistic features that are displayed by both groups and work displace
Modernism and art presented during in the current time when compared to the work done in the past present changes in many aspects that describe art work. Such differences are also reflected in many other issues, in the society, that touch on economic and political areas (Prettejohn, 32). The two works present various distinguishing features from the contexts and places that they are displayed to the features in the products being displayed. In the Calder show, it presents the real modern contexts that are displayed at the state of the art exhibition of high quality and modern style and design. The quality of the building that the modern exhibition is done in, such as the Calder show is of high quality that is polished with enough lights and ventilation in the building so as to facilitate easy visualization and professionalism. The buildings that host such modern artistic products are specially designed to perform the function with spacing that is well spread out. It presents a formal set up that such exhibitions take place, and it is along term plan and structure that is designed to host the event for a longer time. On the other hand, the set up and environment that the Vitalism structure were presented present a picture that shows that the structure were only displayed there at a temporal time(Stylon,27). The structures being exhibited were placed in a table so as to display the structures temporarily that could be removed after the exhibition, and the show was over. This is not the case in as seen in Calder show. In the Calder show, each structure at the display is exhibited individually in the sense each piece has a special place that is placed for exhibition. Displaying each artistic feature allows the audience and viewers to give it a deep interpretation and analyze the various meanings that arise from the article. In the Vitalism exhibition, the structures that were placed closely together to each other made it difficult for the audience and viewers of the pieces to give them a deep analyzing and interpretations regarding the objects at display. It also presented a situation where attention and concentration were destructed in the process of analyzing and giving meaning to the pieces because many images could be captured at one viewing and, therefore, critical and simple elements that require close viewing and concentration could be missed by the audience.
In terms of the artistic features displayed from the two exhibitions, they present varied changes and developments that are attributed to result form the technological developments and innovations observed during the different times. The artistic products from the Calder show display products that appear in many colors depicting the many developments that transpired over the time.. The quality of the finishing is smooth and well done presenting a smooth texture that possibly can result from the help and use of modern technology and machines. This is not the case from products being displayed at the Vitalism exhibition. The finishing of the products present a different texture that is slightly rough and not polished as it is displayed in the modern exhibition. The dimensions of the products at the display differ. If they are cylindrical figures, they are presented in large dimensions that resemble and near the size of the real item for those found at the Calder show. Also for bigger items at display they have drawings in them that use thin and single lines with flowery patterns at the end. Drawing of artistic features within the items at display is made possible because of the real time color that such products have that make it possible for artists to add value and present more artistic features within them (Freud,574). This is not the case for products in Vitalism exhibition. Most products presented at Vitalism displayed natural color mainly from the material used. Some that used color had natural colors, but that is different from artistic products from the modern days and times.
Despite the differences noted from the facilities that hosted the exhibitions to the artistic products at display, there are similarities that both share. Products displayed at both sides carry various themes ad information that fulfills the requirements of artistic articles such as aesthetic, cultural and historical values among others that are linked to artistic products. Both exhibitions intended to advance the knowledge and promote artists between and among themselves as well as to the public at large (Neill &Ridley, 17). The works from both exhibitions reflected the developments in societies, which they were found by then, and from work in it possible so as to interpret the developments in terms of technology and innovation by comparing the two pieces of work.
The world wars led to interactions of many people from different areas of the world. Those interacting carried with them their cultures and styles that influenced many other parties that they came encountered. The French who came up with Surrealism influenced American art to some extent. Surrealism advocates for the rejection of realism because of its fixation with ordinary and accurate things (Breton, 71). This meant that artistic features were to be made to convey meaning and message as intended by the artists. It should not struggle to achieve real features or looks of artist’s products. This, therefore, contributed to some extent to the product displayed at Vitalism exhibition. Most products do not display real time features such as colors or texture in the products. This can be argued out as one factor that influenced the type f product at display. During times of the world wars, it was the ideology that had shaped many artists line of thinking an action. On the other hand, Futurism advocated for destroying the past both figuratively and literary. This encouraged change and allowed the introduction of new ideas and styles in work and other spheres of life. As a result, many artists incorporated this ideology in their work, and this resulted into new products with unique features such as ones displayed as the Calder show.
In conclusion, artistic work displayed both at the two exhibition centers present an opportunity to analyze various features and elements of art that transpired during the varied times. Both internal and external influences resulted into the differences noted from the two exhibitions and products at display.
Works Cited
Breton, Andre. First Surrealist Manifesto. From Le Manifeste du surealisme. 1924. Print.
Freud, Sigmnad. The theory of Dreams. Sproutt. Norton and Co. 1961. Print.
Neill, Alex, and Aaron Ridley. The Philosophy of Art: Readings Ancient and Modern. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1995. Print.
Prettejohn, Elizabeth. The Modernity of Ancient Sculpture: Greek Sculpture and Modern Art from Winckelmann to Picasso. London: I.B. Tauris, 2012. Print.
Stylon, Kevin. American Art and Design In The atomic age. VITAL FORMS. Art Center College Library, Pasadena, California. 1960. Print.
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