Modern Art Movements: Cubism to Surrealism

Early 20th-Century Avant-Garde Art Movements

Beginning around 1904, new renewal movements emerged, often referred to as avant-garde, seeking to challenge and supersede previous artistic norms. These movements often originated in Paris, were typically short-lived, and gave way to new eras, with many concluding around 1940. Magazines and 'isms' were particularly important platforms for these artistic shifts. There was a strong desire for artistic universality, and several prominent avant-garde movements include:

Cubism (1904)

Emerging around 1904, Cubism saw its first significant pictures, such as *Capriccio*, appearing around 1907. Henri Matisse recognized the importance of this movement. Key figures include Pablo Picasso and Juan Gris. Cubist painters recreated objects from different viewpoints and united them into a single image, thereby breaking traditional central perspective. They also incorporated pictorial elements like collage.

In literature, Cubism inspired descriptions that created multiple perspectives and led to the development of calligrams. Notable literary figures include Sinclair Valle, Francisco Ayala, and Gerardo Diego.

Futurism (1909)

Futurism sought a forward-looking art that aimed to forget the past. It addressed themes such as speed, strength, and dynamism. Futurist poems often suppressed traditional syntax and spelling. In Spain, Ramón Gómez de la Serna introduced Futurist ideas.

Expressionism (1914)

Emerging around 1914, Expressionism appeared in Switzerland, created by artists fleeing the war. It aimed to challenge previous norms, using provocation to break from reality. Artists sought new realities within the mind, influenced by psychoanalysis. Expressionist ideas were also expressed in magazines, and though challenging, the movement eventually contributed to the rise of Surrealism.

Creationism (1916)

Born in Buenos Aires in 1916, Creationism was founded at a conference where Vicente Huidobro laid the groundwork for this literary stage. Another important figure in Spanish-language Creationist literature was Ramón Gómez de la Serna.

It focused on creating works with a life of their own, independent of reality (art for art's sake), emphasizing the ability to create plays, poems, and other forms of art regardless of their connection to reality. Just as abstract painting was a great contribution in the field of painting, in literature it was the creationist metaphor (to interpret it, the author must provide the keys). In Spain, it was represented by Juan Larrea and Gerardo Diego (both from the Generation of '27).

Ultraism (1918)

From 1922, Ultraism practically dissolved, though its influence continued in South America. It incorporated elements from Cubism, Expressionism, and Dadaism, aiming to renew literature. One of its most important platforms was *Ultra* magazine, which featured both literary works and paintings. Notable figures include Jorge Luis Borges, Guillermo de Torre, and Gerardo Diego.

Surrealism (1924)

Appearing in France in 1924, Surrealism was launched with the publication of its first manifesto, signed by Louis Aragon, André Breton, and Philippe Soupault. A second manifesto appeared in 1935, in which Surrealism became affiliated with the French Communist Party. It is characterized by its expansion into the world of the mind, deeply rooted in Dadaism, and often gathered input from previous art movements.