What is Modernism?

Modernism refers to a global movement that has changed the way of thinking, art, and lifestyle of almost every man and woman back from the 19^th and 20^th centuries. Modernism is a dynamic and relative term that is used to describe modern innovations in art compared to traditional art.

This term is related to all artworks from the period from late 19^th century to the early 20^th century, in fact about the style and philosophy of art from this period. This term usually refers to the art that abandons tradition at the expense of the experimental spirit.

Modern artists experimented with new ways of seeing the world, the nature of materials, and function of art. Modernism is relative and commonly used term that refers to avant-garde art from the 19^th and 20^th centuries. It is often misinterpreted as postmodernism, which is a style that is still active today and which some people consider the be the continuation of modernism.

Modernism Origin

Beginning of the Modernism Design Period

The exact year of this movement’s beginning is not clearly determined, many consider it to be around the year 1863 – the year that Edouard Manet (1832-83) exhibited his outstanding painting Le Dejeuner sur l’herbe in the Salon des Refuses in Paris.

While others considered that the beginning of Modernism is considered to be as early as the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution was evolving very fast, it influenced every aspect of life. This era rapidly changed everything that was normal for any regular person.

Technology developed, vehicles upgraded, railroads and subways were invented, which changed the way of living completely. This huge revolution gave the ability to artists to see new things, explore the world more easily and make their own way of thinking and creating.

Modern Revolution – Inspirations

But modern times required modern solutions, too. So, this revolution also required modern architecture, art, and designs, that will easily cope with the modernism that this revolution brought. Before the 19^th century, art was solely made according to the church’s and high-class’s demands in many societies.

Most artworks that were made in that period were made from a spiritual focal point or as a way to guide people to the religion. In the late 19^th century, artists decided to stand out, they started making artworks based on their needs and desires. After Freud published his “The Interpretation of Dreams” in 1899, artists started thinking more spiritually, researching their dreams, and subconscious minds, which had a big influence on the way art was made.

Artists decided to make a change, they refused to use colors and materials that were popular before and started doing it the way they liked. They started using different colors, shapes, designs, and techniques.

Important Movements from Modernism Period

This significant art period is not only one period, this is a whole era of different art movements that together make Modernism. Modernism started in the late years of the 19^th century, and it lasted all until the 1970s.

Every big art movement that is known from this period is part of the Modernism art movement. Some of the most popular and known art-movements worldwide are Impressionism (the 1870s, 1880s), Fauvism (1905-1907), Cubism (1908-1914), Futurism (1909-1914), Expressionism (from 1905), Dada (1916-1924), Surrealism (from 1924), Abstract Expressionism (1948-1960), and Pop Art (Late-1950s, 1960s).

All of these art movements left a remarkable mark on both the 19^th and 20^th centuries. All these art movements were different from one another, they all influenced a wide population, and to this day each of these art movements is very popular and commonly used in influencing art and design today.

Modernism Furniture Design

Many styles that are part of Modernism are also known for a variety of different and amazing furniture pieces. Many periods made some great furniture makers and furniture pieces, of which, some are still extremely popular. These styles continue to influence home interiors and furnishing to this day. The most popular furniture design styles from the Modernism period are Bauhaus, Art Nouveau, Pop Art, Mid-century Modern, Surrealism, and Expressionism.

Most Popular Artists from the Modernism Furniture Design Period

This design period has certainly made some of the most popular artists ever. Their design and artworks are still very popular and cost over several millions of dollars today. Artists that have marked this art period and art in general are Hector Guimard, Salvador Dali, Wassily Kandinsky, and many others.

Hector Guimard – One of First Art Nouveau Furniture Designers

 Hector Guimard was a French architect and furniture designer. All of his designs were hand-crafted, with a lot of ornamentation and asymmetrical, which made every furniture piece very expensive and unique in its own way.

Hector Guimard – Popular Modernism Furniture Design

This artist has made some of the most important furniture designs from this period, of which the most popular are a buffet of cherry wood, brass, and glass, a side chair of pear wood and leather, the dining room in the Hotel Guimard, and much more…

Salvador Dali – Bizarre Surreal Artist

Salvador Dali was a popular Spanish Surrealism Artist. His artworks are also tightly connected to Renaissance, Impressionism, Cubism, and Avant-Garde movements. He was a popular painter, graphic artist, sculptor, and photographer. He is still a very popular art figure, he left a great mark on art, but he’s also still very popular because of his controversial and eccentric behavior.

Salvador Dali – Important Modern Artworks

Dali is popular for many art forms, surprisingly he also made some fascinating furniture designs, some of them are Leda Chair, Salvador Dali Table Designed for “Spellbound”, Dalilips Sofa, and much more…

Wassily Kandinsky – Pioneer of Abstract Art

Wassily Kandinsky was a Russian painter and art theorist. He was the leader of the Avant-Garde movement, but he was also a very important part of the Bauhaus movement. His Russian artworks are mostly lost, but artworks from Germany are still available and very expensive today.

Wassily Kandinsky – Important Furniture Designs from Modernism Period

Wassily Kandinsky made all kinds of artwork, but his most known furniture designs are mostly from his participation in the Bauhaus movement. His very-popular design is his Kandinsky Chair.

Modernism Furniture Design – Main Characteristics

Modern furniture is very popular today, it can be very easily recognized and noticed. These designs are mostly made to settle from the simplest to the most luxurious home, with their appealing designs that are ideal for any environment. When it comes to modern furniture designs, these designs were made to not attract too much attention, and to be fully functional. Additionally and most importantly modern designs seek to be universal, but still aesthetic and appealing to the person who sees it. This style has some unique characteristics that combined together make this art movement special and unique. The main modern furniture design characteristics are smooth surfaces, lacking of ornamentation, neutral colors, all kinds of materials combined together, and in most cases minimalist designs.

Modernism Influence in Today’s Art

Modernism is a way of living. Even though this movement started in the 19^th century, buildings, the way of living, traveling, art, and everything that we do daily is imposed on us by the Modernist design period. But the term Modern can be misunderstood very often in today’s society. Many people use it as a way of describing something that is popular at the moment, forgetting about the original modern design/art and the differences between these two concepts.

The word that could better explain our current situation and art development is post-modernism. There is a difference between Modernism and Post-Modernism, but Post-Modernism is considered to be the continuation of modern art from the 20^th century. So, to the year of 1970s the ideas of principles of Modernism were quite active, after that year our art and designs kept being influenced by this art movement, but this art movement is not as active anymore. A better way to describe our art and design in today’s day and age is Post-Modernism.

Most of the current art designs are influenced by Modernism. Artists are now free in expressing what they feel, free with a choice of materials and shapes, and that has all started with the revolution of the design period known as Modernism. This applies to all forms of art, Modernism influences both our lifestyles, but also our way of creating art, and the way we see art today.

Modernism in Furniture Design

Furnishing is probably an art form where Modernism is most active today. As many of us seek that retro, sophisticating look that you cannot find in today’s art, we look back in history and try to derive those influences. Art movements, such as Art Deco, Bauhaus, Art Nouveau, and others are a great place to find an ideal furniture piece that will relive the sophisticated, luxurious, yet retro look for your home. Most of today’s interior designers find inspiration for their designs in the 19^th or 20^th century, and it’s always a great choice.