Modernism

**What is modernism?** Modernism, in its broadest definition, is modern thought, character, or practice. More specifically, the term describes the modernist movement, its set of cultural tendencies and array of associated cultural movements, originally arising from wide-scale and far-reaching changes to Western society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Related terms are modern; modernist; contemporary; postmodern. Modern architecture is generally characterized by simplification of form and creation of ornament from the structure and theme of the building. It is a term applied to an overarching movement, with its exact definition and scope varying widely. In a broader sense, early modern architecture began at the turn of the 20th century with efforts to reconcile the principles underlying architectural design with rapid technological advancement and the modernization of society. It would take the form of numerous movements, schools of design, and architectural styles, some in tension with one another, and often equally defying such classification. The concept of modernism would be a central theme in these efforts. Gaining popularity after the Second World War, architectural modernism was adopted by many influential architects and architectural educators, and continues as a dominant architectural style for institutional and corporate buildings into the 21st century. Modernism eventually generated reactions, most notably Postmodernism which sought to preserve pre-modern elements, while Neomodernism emerged as a reaction to Postmodernism. Notable architects important to the history and development of the modernist movement include Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Oscar Niemeyer, Alvar Aalto, Walter Gropius and Louis I Kahn.



**What is it called in different countries?** Modernism is also called "Art Nouveau" (France), "Lyberty style"(Italy), "Modern Style" (England) "Jugendstil" (Germany).

**When did it start and why?** Modernism started in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Modernism was a revolt against the conservative values of realism.Arguably the most paradigmatic motive of modernism is the rejection of tradition and its reprise, incorporation, rewriting, recapitulation, revision and parody in new forms. Modernism rejected the lingering certainty of Enlightenment thinking and also rejected the existence of a compassionate, all-powerful Creator Godin favor of the abstract, unconventional, largely uncertain ethic brought on by modernity, initiated around the turn of century by rapidly changing technology and further catalyzed by the horrific consequences of World War I on the cultural psyche of artists.

**What are its main characteristics?** The characteristics and principles of modernism on architecture are: An adoption of the principle that the materials and functional requirements determine the result An adoption of the machine aesthetic An emphasis of horizontal and vertical lines <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">A creation of ornament using the structure and theme of the building, or a rejection of ornamentation <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">A simplification of form and elimination of "unnecessary detail" <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">An adoption of expressed structure <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Form follows function