Final answer:
The Wagnerian concept of 'total art' influenced Modernism in its goal to connect the arts, as seen in the work of architects like Wright and Mackintosh. Modernism embraced innovation in literature and art, propelled further by the disruptions of World War II. The Arts and Crafts movement paralleled Modernist values of authenticity, albeit with a different focus on craftsmanship and design.
Step-by-step explanation:
Wagnerian Antecedents in Modernism and the Arts and Crafts Movement
The concept of 'total art' put forth by Richard Wagner, which aimed for a synthesis of all the arts, has influenced Modernism immensely. This notion is echoed in the Modernist commitment to integrating different forms of creativity and expression. For example, architects and designers such as Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Charles Rennie Mackintosh, worked at blending traditional architectural styles with the potential offered by new technologies.
Modernism's ethos, encapsulated by the exhortation to "Make it new!" by poet Ezra Pound, challenged the cultures of the past. The movement ushered in new forms of literature and art, such as stream-of-consciousness novels and abstract art, which can be seen as extensions of Wagner's ideas about uniting different art forms to create a complete and profound experience.
The impact of World War II on art was profound, leading to the emergence of movements such as Cubism, Dada, and Surrealism that greatly altered the landscape of creative work. With artists like Pablo Picasso and Marcel Duchamp utilizing industrial artifacts, the period saw the breaking of traditional barriers and the embracing of innovation. Around this same time, the center of the art world began its shift towards New York, significantly shaping the evolution of Modernism.
In terms of Arts and Crafts, this movement also contributed to Modernism but revolved around a different axis. It celebrated craftsmanship and design as reactions against the industrialization of the 19th century. Although it upheld some traditional techniques, its emphasis on form and function over embellishment and decoration brings it into dialogue with Modernist ideals. Therefore, while the Arts and Crafts movement was not a direct descendant of Wagner's 'total art,' it shared Modernism's desire for authenticity and unity in design.