Modernism: Ideological, Aesthetic Features & Social Impact

Modernism: Ideological and Aesthetic Currents

Current Ideological and Aesthetic:

• Regenerationist: Believed art could transform society; therefore, art's destination is the service of society. Promoting cultural workers saw the regeneration of society. They were influenced by the ideas of Nietzsche and Ibsen.
• Aestheticists: Considered that art had no purpose other than to seek aesthetic pleasure, a form of escape from everyday reality. Were influenced by Baudelaire and Verlaine (symbolism), Oscar Wilde, and Maurice Maeterlinck.

Regenerationism vs. Aestheticism

• Art and culture as means for changing society. Rejection of art-as-evasion.
• Art as a shelter for those of a sensitive nature to the insensitivity of society.
• Propose art-for-art's-sake.
• Art elevated to a category akin to religion, and the artist as priest.
• Federalism, Republicanism, and Anarchism.
• Some attitudes reaching radical anarchism, others converging on nationalism.
• Apolitical attitude.
• Role of the artist in social transformation: messianism.
• Rejection of the bourgeoisie.
• Distrust in the role of the artist.
• Influenced by vitalist and proactive philosophy.
• Influenced by decadence and symbolism.

General Features of Modernism

General Features:

• Complexity and even contradiction born of the rejection of positivism and naturalism, which only seek to capture an objective reality. However, this naturalism is accepted by our modernists as the new modern feel.
• They would include art in the whole of social life.
• Search for art-synthesis: They want to break boundaries between genres and the arts (boom of opera).
• Want to capture hidden aspects of reality.
• Seeking and rejecting authenticity, classicism, and standards.
• Want to cause new sensations and feelings: Literature must communicate feelings and emotions.
• Rejection of the bourgeois mentality (materialism, utilitarian), although coming from this social class.
• Aims to create a national culture: Valuing aspects of the past without abandoning the universal. With them comes political nationalism and spelling reform.