Final answer:
The transition from traditional to modernist and postmodernist art represents a break from normative perception, leading to more abstract and subjective expressions. This shift was influenced by the broader social, cultural, and technological changes of the 20th century, expanding the understanding of what constitutes art and beauty.
Step-by-step explanation:
The transition in the art world from the traditional representation based on normative perception to a new wave of artistic forms across the 20th century has been influential. Artists such as Paul Cézanne and Wassily Kandinsky began to alter the traditional view of art, moving the focus from mere reproduction of nature to a more complex, abstract presentation that aligned more with the artists' emotions and philosophical contemplations. The appearance of movements like Neo-Expressionism, Cubism, and Futurism, influenced by various factors such as industrialization, political change, and advances in technology, led to a profound shift in how art is perceived and created.
Impact of Modernism on Art
Modernism significantly changed the perception of art, detaching it from the reproduction of the natural world to an exploration of line, color, and dimension. It gave birth to expressions that resonated with the zeitgeist of the time, often expressed through the abstract language of lines and colors, or the representations of the inner subconscious. This shift is evident in the works of influential artists who experimented with different forms of expression, leading to new definitions of beauty in postmodern art.
The Challenge of Artistic Representation
In the postmodern era, art does not attempt to present a full or complete picture of the world but rather a summary highlighting consequential events. Like the complex mechanism of human vision, it captures the world as a series of dynamic, subjective experiences rather than static reproductions. This new paradigm in art has expanded the role of perception and embraced a multitude of interpretations that deviate from traditional sensory experience to include emotional and philosophical dimensions.
Social and Cultural Influence
Social and cultural changes of the early twentieth century, including industrialization and the horrors of World War I, had a profound impact on artists, provoking them to use radical new mediums and styles to express the modern experience. These changes also brought critiques from various artists and theorists who questioned the traditional art world, examining gender roles and conceptual art, and challenging the very definition of art itself.