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

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Күн бұрын

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
US: amzn.to/2SACmJJ
UK: amzn.to/2VsmWsQ
Modernism: A Very Short introduction by Christopher Butler
US: amzn.to/2UgtJWn
UK: amzn.to/2NAUnqw
[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
Website: www.tomnicholas.com
Thanks for watching!

Пікірлер: 229

@Tom_Nicholas 5 жыл бұрын

Hi all! Thanks for watching, I hope you found the useful enlightening in some small way! If you'd like me to make more videos like this, and to influence which topics I cover next, then I've just launched a Patreon. I'd love it if you'd pop over and check it out and, if you're able, to consider supporting my channel. Thanks! Tom. www.patreon.com/tomnicholas

@mitzyfrankz 4 жыл бұрын

Dude. I found it to be THE SHIT. PLEASE do one of the very understated Arthur Rimbaud!!!!

@user-db5tj3qu4v 3 жыл бұрын

How are you prince can you answer me the question discuss the origion and development of modrenism how is it represented inthe 20c.british novel explain briefly with examples

@soumiahadef8968 10 ай бұрын

Can you please tell me what program you use to make your videos?

@marjonekedekock2139 5 жыл бұрын

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

@Tom_Nicholas 5 жыл бұрын

Haha, no worries, bet of luck with the exam!!

@rhysherbst1946 4 жыл бұрын

I’m Zimbabwean 🇿🇼

@nokutenda4081 4 жыл бұрын

@@rhysherbst1946 Wabvunzwa 😂

@DonnaSnyder 4 жыл бұрын

So glad for you. I trust you excelled.

@nkanyezihlatshwayo3601 3 жыл бұрын

@@nokutenda4081 pamwe asiri umunhu akadaro💁🏾‍♂️

@taragoodwin5411 5 жыл бұрын

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 5 жыл бұрын

I'm glad my videos have been helpful but I'm sure that you passing was all you! Hope they went well!

@ihatemickiegee 4 жыл бұрын

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

@Tom_Nicholas 6 жыл бұрын

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!

@macarenaalvarezvalenzuela4561 6 жыл бұрын

thank you very much from Chile!

@Tom_Nicholas 6 жыл бұрын

No worries, cheers for watching!

@2adamast 2 жыл бұрын

I still strugle. Guernica 3:58 : A pastiche of a Rubens painting (1629) represents Modernism. Where Modernism is defined here as: _Rejecting the artistic forms and ideas that came before them_ 5:45 What to say? Sometimes academic consensus feels empty. There is Picasso commenting about Lascaux (120+ century bce) _Nous n'avons rien appris_

@Iktekenkatjes 6 жыл бұрын

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!

@Tom_Nicholas 6 жыл бұрын

So glad you found this helpful. I’ve found similarly that the general stuff which connects them often gets overlooked. Once I’d drawn this connection, I definitely found it so much easier to understand different movements within Modernism!

@ekbergiw 5 жыл бұрын

Thought he said he was a "Peachy D student"

@Dovith 4 жыл бұрын

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

@NoOdLe-ev3ru 2 жыл бұрын

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 !

@00Emerald00 4 жыл бұрын

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

@katherineburrows-stone5432 5 жыл бұрын

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!

@Tom_Nicholas 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Katherine, it's always really nice to hear when teachers are using my videos! Hope your students are finding it useful and that they enjoy the book!

@sanskrutihebalkar6839 2 жыл бұрын

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

@maaxime21 3 жыл бұрын

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 !

@marthaboekestein5403 4 жыл бұрын

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...

@carolinedasilva5402 6 жыл бұрын

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

@Tom_Nicholas 6 жыл бұрын

Ah, awesome, I'm glad I managed to keep it simple, sometimes it's a hard balance to strike ensuring that they both dig into the theory while also remaining accessible! Thanks for watching!

@emmahallows 5 жыл бұрын

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! 😁👍🔥💃🦷

@Tom_Nicholas 5 жыл бұрын

Haha, I'm sure that's not the case Emma and that it's you "saving" your degree off your own back but, don't worry, I'll keep making videos!

@ilonavalante9087 5 жыл бұрын

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

@akshitaaggarwal9616 5 жыл бұрын

It is an awesome video. It's very helpful, clear and precise. I really enjoyed the video. Well done 👏

@60wds 3 жыл бұрын

Tom, outstanding, interesting and brilliant presentation. Keep up the good work. The world needs your bright insight!

@jeffreypohle506 3 жыл бұрын

That was brilliantly stated! I understand it now! Seriously, I was having a really hard time figuring it out and your video demystified it. Totally get it now, thank you!

@KrisSamuel 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, this was incredibly well articulated! Thank you for your content.

@user-zq9jc4jz4c 2 жыл бұрын

Your explanations are so clear!! It helped me a lot understanding the whole modernism thing.

@ravenreodica7985 3 жыл бұрын

This video helped me a lot last semester on my 21st Century Literature class. Now I have Contemporary Arts and all the things I've learned from this video just came back to me. I just wanted to say thank you for this!

@lukenackley9990 5 жыл бұрын

this is a great video. Well edited and easy to listen to. hope your channel gets some more attention!

@Tom_Nicholas 5 жыл бұрын

Ahh, thanks for saying so Luke! Really glad you got something out of it!

@timolanlau7454 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, really useful video for my art history exam. You have a very pleasant voice to listen to!

@trombone7 6 жыл бұрын

ABSOLUTE Sub. Well done, keep doing what you're doing. I plan on rewatching this to help it sink in. Excited about the Pomo vid coming soon. Especially with the political climate on youtube right now surrounding postmodernism. (excellent blending of art and socio- political currents in this video !!)

@Tom_Nicholas 6 жыл бұрын

Ah cheers! Should be the next thing I put out now. Hoping to balance it well to slightly address some of that while also being accessible to peeps not completely down the KZfaq political rabbit hole just yet. Although, very keen to debunk this whole THE EVIL POSTMODERNISTS thing which, like, doesn’t even make sense...

@misterdemocracy3335 4 жыл бұрын

Great video, love the expertise and the accessible style

@feyzullahkocer1593 5 жыл бұрын

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

@Tom_Nicholas 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for saying so, really glad you found it helpful!

@dansback8053 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video mate, racking my head thinking about this modernism stuff. This helped a lot.

@katlouise 4 жыл бұрын

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

@keneckert 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you. This was a useful introduction to the subject for my students.

@Tom_Nicholas 5 жыл бұрын

No problems, glad you found it useful!

@MyDearMe 5 жыл бұрын

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

@Tom_Nicholas 5 жыл бұрын

Really glad you found it helpful!

@dazpatreg 4 жыл бұрын

You do really excellent content, and your descriptions of these elements of philosophy are actually imo better than Oliver Thorn, for me at least. It's concise, succinct and eloquent without meandering too much. Of course Ollie does a more theatrical approach and he does great videos, but this is more like a university course in 20 mins. Well done

@ikkaul6810 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks, man!! Was of great help!!

@andhiyustinaable 4 жыл бұрын

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...

@mohinipradhan6546 3 жыл бұрын

I finally understood what was dragged on for months in classes. Thank you :)

@candleg0at 3 жыл бұрын

Doing the English State teacher licensure here in Argentina. Thanks a lot, you have a perfect way of summarizing ideas.

@areebamirza2572 4 жыл бұрын

This video is so helpful , thanks a bunch

@kickingpigeons101 6 жыл бұрын

Great as always - thank you!!

@Tom_Nicholas 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you for saying so!

@gracemcclurg6753 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for this video. I'm studying English Literature as one of my A-Levels at this point in time and we have to learn about this and postmodernism for the context for the unseen prose section in our unseen exam.

@lilymay7048 3 жыл бұрын

This is really helpful thank you so much !!!

@billvolpicellifilms4433 Жыл бұрын

GREAT STUFF mate.

@kylieduffy4003 Жыл бұрын

Super helpful! Thank you

@DasMandu 6 жыл бұрын

Just found your videos. They're great!! Thank you :)

@Tom_Nicholas 6 жыл бұрын

Ah, thanks for saying so Armando!

@freddypalmer2674 6 жыл бұрын

Awesome man, really helpful!

@Tom_Nicholas 6 жыл бұрын

No worries, glad it was handy!

@ree9487 5 жыл бұрын

This is great! You've just earned a new subscriber

@Tom_Nicholas 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Rahma, hope you enjoy the rest of the videos!

@julianschmid4923 2 жыл бұрын

Complex content communicated in a very informative and interesting way.

@nancywysemen7196 2 жыл бұрын

nicely done.responded to the sincerity of the" new broom".

@zifengjiang5899 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you this is really useful!

@Jessica-dr4wf 2 жыл бұрын

Great Video!

@mustafaabdelrazik4418 5 жыл бұрын

That was really helpful .. thanks a lot ... I just would like to ask if it's possible to make a video about the literary theory and literary criticism.. and the difference between them

@dirtywashedupsparkle 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this video. Certainly harder to see the commonality between the spectrum of art that is under the umbrella of modernism. I think the way of thinking is key here; however the styles very, the intent of questioning what came before, the influence of the world wars and a depression all have a part in that. I've heard that the questioning, the tearing down of what came before, stems from a sense of questioning the inner self, the uncertainty that resulted from multiple upheavals. It looks inward at the emotions, the underlying aspect rather than the act of representation. I used to wonder why the modernist era threw away craft and skill and thought some of them were simply too lazy or were compensating for poor skills, but no, they were trying to convey in their art things that were deeper, and more abstract, and find new ways of seeing. So many ways they did that.

@dennisho3748 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your insight. Very helpful.

@Tom_Nicholas 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dennis!

@zoelawen2242 5 жыл бұрын

very helpful! cheers mate! I just have a few questions: 1. is it possible to date modernism to a specific time period since as you mentioned it's kinda like a mesh of multi-movements and time periods from late 19th century to early 20th century. 2. is there a face of modernism movement? no one particular artist is responsible for this social change, yet who do you find to be the most influential of this time frame / movement and why? which art piece? 3. do you have a favourite artist from this time? thanks again! - Zoe

@studygirl215 9 ай бұрын

Great video thank you ❤

@vickyu1896 3 жыл бұрын

So informative!

@EasyArchitecturalTheory 4 жыл бұрын

Hey Tom! It is very interesting that you pointed out a strive for utopianism and departure from tradition in the visual arts and in politics, which is also true in architecture. Do you happen to know what propelled such drastic change across multiple disciplines during that period, can it really be completely attributed to the Industrial Revolution?

@marshhen 2 жыл бұрын

It is a cultural movement that contains multiple art and literary movements within it.

@Helloworld-sb2uk 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this very beneficial video

@thallytaamaral2556 3 жыл бұрын

Great video!

@aliceglamis 2 жыл бұрын

such great video thanks

@SharowbladyeGaymerPorate Жыл бұрын

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.

@leilaaggoune627 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot for the video, i really liked it. I have a question and i hope you are going to answer me. How can we associate the telephone to modernism? It is the theme of my presentation.

@heinoustentacles5719 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Tim

@bma1955alimarber 3 жыл бұрын

good work!

@BJSORAYA Жыл бұрын

Tom, you're awesome 👌🏽

@sydneyscanga 4 жыл бұрын

thank you!!! great vid

@evans_KE 3 жыл бұрын

I love your works

@pietroalessandrini 5 жыл бұрын

Very intresting video! Where did you find the video of T.S. Eliot reading Four Quartets?

@benjaminshulman2407 4 жыл бұрын

It's so interesting to me that all of these different people in different cultural spheres all thought there could be objectively correct answers to anything, when I, someone growing up as a teenager now, believe the opposite. I think the natural successor to a generation so certain about objective truth is a generation who questions the very existence of, and the possibility that there could be an objective truth. Great video

@davidjumah9522 4 жыл бұрын

I’m still waiting on the literary part😞💔

@Abdessamia 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Tom, I appreciate your efforts.. your videos were of a great help for me (as a beginner cultural studies student). can you please do a video on deconstruction? + Any suggested introductory books about postmodernism?.. Thanks a lot

@Tom_Nicholas 6 жыл бұрын

Abdessamia Bencheikh Hey Abdessamia, thanks for the feedback, so glad you’re finding them helpful! There’s definitely one on deconstruction planned for the not too distant future. Might be a month or two though as they do take a little while to put together! I’ll have to do some reading up too as it’s not something I’ve had to use or talk about for a little while now!

@Tom_Nicholas 6 жыл бұрын

Deconstruction is on my list. No particular suggestions for books but, generally, I find the Oxford Very Short Introductions great, or the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy is pretty good. 🙂

@Abdessamia 6 жыл бұрын

oh.. thank you again. waiting for your next (y)

@wacktus8507 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for teaching me things my teacher should have.

@tanyarohilla3236 6 жыл бұрын

This video is really helpful. Can you do one on the feminist movements across the cultures and eras? Explain different waves and reasons for emergence. It will really help Thanks!!

@Tom_Nicholas 6 жыл бұрын

Ha, someone else just asked for pretty much exactly the same video. I like the idea of this so I'll see what I can come up with!

@jessehakim2737 5 жыл бұрын

Really helpful

@delphylu2 5 жыл бұрын

Great video. Thanks

@Tom_Nicholas 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for saying so Delphine, glad you found it interesting!

@scottalbers2518 5 жыл бұрын

Absolutely fantastic!! I would love to see a video on your analysis of Jordan Peterson. I think that your videos are every bit as interesting as his. It seems to me that the two of you are really going to string the intellectual world between you. Absolutely fantastic insights!!

@hamidrezaseilabadi839 3 жыл бұрын

Very helpful.

@roohidcruze7755 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you T.Nicholas

@irapennygent9677 4 жыл бұрын

Brilliant lecture.

@Tom_Nicholas 4 жыл бұрын

Cheers Ira!

@EasyArchitecturalTheory 4 жыл бұрын

Also for anyone who is interested in how modernism manifested in architecture, I made two videos on this topic!

@dazpatreg 4 жыл бұрын

You've a new subscriber

@EasyArchitecturalTheory 4 жыл бұрын

dazpatreg thank you for the support!

@humairakarim9107 6 жыл бұрын

Are you going to make a video on postmodernism and post colonialism?

@Tom_Nicholas 6 жыл бұрын

Postmodernism should be my next What the Theory video so should be out in the next month or so! Also, postcolonialism is a great idea, I hadn't got that on my list but definately will add it!

@humairakarim9107 6 жыл бұрын

Tom Nicholas thank you ♡

@metoisonia1 5 жыл бұрын

great help, good vocabilary

@Tom_Nicholas 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Sonya, hope you found it helpful!

@edwhelan1168 5 жыл бұрын

Incredible video

@Tom_Nicholas 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ed, hope you found it interesting!

@ugcnetenglishidrisbashasir5581 4 жыл бұрын

Great Sir

@danaleonie7844 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@jorgeya2036 3 жыл бұрын

That helps. Thanks man

@DaveE99 3 жыл бұрын

Make sure to do one on “metamodernism”

@Hakajin 3 жыл бұрын

Huh, looking it up... I'm not sure, but maybe that's what I am? My own position is that there's no such thing as "unreal." That is, the purely subjective is still its own objective existence. In fact, it's the ONLY objective reality we can be sure of. This involves a breaking down between binaries like nature/construction and fiction/fact. That is, we and the constructions we create are a part of nature, fiction is as much a part of our real lives as fact (which we can never be sure of in the first place, untrustworthy as perception and memory are).

@lilianguillermo4039 4 жыл бұрын

THANK. YOU. SO. MUCH.

@balls261 3 жыл бұрын

What I've always wondered about is something like Duchamps Fountain, that seems much more post-modern to me. I know Dada came about in the modernist time period and was pretty directly tied to other modernist styles like futurism and all that, but in terms of its sensibilities Dada always comes across as much more post-modern with its sense of irony and downplaying of the importance of the artist in the creative process.

@gavinreid2741 Ай бұрын

That it probably because so much of post modernism mix of previous styles relies upon the anarchic sensibility of Dada.

@sabrinaabdelhak8575 4 жыл бұрын

hello can i ask you please what is committed art

@akki7unknown628 Жыл бұрын

this guy's video out here saving our GPAs

@anonymous-pl5gq 4 жыл бұрын

Can someone summary this for me. I am having difficulties because i am not fluent in english. Thank you!

@soumiahadef8968 10 ай бұрын

can anyone tell me how a video like this is made!

@nis6904 5 жыл бұрын

Hey- what are some ideal books that discuss modernism in order to cover themes and be able to write an essay?

@Tom_Nicholas 5 жыл бұрын

I haven't actually read this particular book, however, I'm really keen on the Oxford Very Short Introduction series. Christopher Butler has written one on Modernism which I'd suggest checking out. Other than that, I'd suggest tracking down a book which talks about Modernism within the particular artform that you're hoping to write about as this will give some specific examples of how Modernism impacted upon that form.

@villvin9157 5 жыл бұрын

"Modernism" by Chales Harrison. This might be a little late for your essay, but if anyone else is reading this :) it´s a short book!