Modernism: WTF? An introduction to Modernism in art and literature

Modernism; it can be confusing. So, in today's What The Theory? I wanted to provide something of a modernism crash course. We'll be looking at many different forms of modernist art as well as a tiny bit of modernist architecture and modernist literature.

I've always struggled to find modernism explained simply and it can be a rather complex theory to get your head around. So, through looking at modernist art techniques, I provide an introduction to modernism as well as beginning to discuss modernism vs postmodernism (although, more of that in the next video!).

Hopefully, this will be helpful to those of you looking to gain a better understanding of modernism and the many different modernist art movements!

Further Reading

Introducing Modernism: A Graphic Guide by Chris Rodrigues & Chris Garratt

Modernism: A Very Short introduction by Christopher Butler

[The above are affiliate links. I receive a small kickback from anything you buy which, in turn, helps to support the channel.]

If you've enjoyed this video then please do check out the rest of my channel where I put out a whole range of videos discussing theatre and playwriting from the perspective of an aspirant and (some might say) emerging playwright and theatre maker as well as reflecting on my experience as a PhD Student.

Twitter: @Tom_Nicholas

Thanks for watching!

[marjonekedekock]

You just saved someone from South Africa who lost her notes and is writing an art history exam.

[taragoodwin]

I don't think I have written an essay for college without watching one of your videos. Thank you for helping me pass my assignments!!

[Tom_Nicholas]

I hope this helps some of you out who might be struggling with understanding modernism! There's a little bit of further reading in the description and, as always, any questions or suggestions, feel free to drop them down here in the comments!

[ihatemickiegee]

wow, a genuinely enjoyable human being who's educated on my academic topics and good at/kind with educating others! 
I wish I went to college with more people like you. seems like no one (that I end up conversing with in my classes) wants to absorb knowledge anymore, and anyone who gets as passionate as you is too quiet for me to know of them lmao so thank you

[Iktekenkatjes]

This is so great! Even though I have had many lectures about modernism in university, you were the first person to clearly state that the modernist artists believed they were making works that were fundamentally better than what came before. The example of the manifestos is great to illustrate that as well. Thank you!

[katherineburrows-stone]

Thanks, Tom! I used this video to help teach my high school English students about Modernism as a movement before reading Kafka's Metamorphosis. Great video!

[NoOdLe-evru]

Just discovered you're channel I genuinly think you are one of the best ones we can find online as students. My essay on modernism will be much more simple thanks to you. Thank you a lot !

[ekbergiw]

Thought he said he was a "Peachy D student"

[Emerald]

I love this. Although the title says "An Introduction, " it pretty much summarized the most important aspects of the movement. Thanks so much.

[maaxime]

As a French student in English studies, this video was highly informative, and I was acquainted with many elements of knowledge !! You've just gained a new subscriber !

[emmahallows]

TOM. You are single handedly saving me and my degree 😂 thank you so much, please don’t stop what you’re doing, you’re amazing it at! 😁👍🔥💃🦷

[sanskrutihebalkar]

lucid, crisp and explained with the help of relatively easy-to-understand examples! great job, Tom!!

[MyDearMe]

Thanks for this video! For me as an "amateur" in arts this was very helpful!

[carolinedasilva]

Love how you explain things so simply! Thanks for these videos, I look forward to your video on postmodernism!

[marthaboekestein]

Tom, you’re my new hero; I just aced my oral exam on architectural theory and I’m pretty sure your videos on WTF played a big part in that. So THANK YOU! If you’re wondering what I’m gonna do with all my free time from now on: binging your politix series...

[ilonavalante]

This really helped me in my literature test about modernism, thank you for the clear explanation.

[feyzullahkocer]

could not have been better explained in such a short time... Thank you very much, this has been very helpful...

[katlouise]

super helpful for starting my second year in English! thank you so much!

[SharowbladyeGaymerPorate]

Tom here single handled saving my life here as my essay is due tomorrow.
Thank you Tom, you are amazing


For all my fellow students, don’t forget to drink water and to stretch every so often.

[andhiyustinaable]

Thank God, I found you. Your explanation is really simple and easy to digest. It does motivate me to do further reading. The negative side is, why I just found you today? It's kinda close to my paper's due date...