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The book Modern Art: A Critical Introduction by Pam Meecham and Julie Sheldon is aimed at discussing various aspects of the contemporary art and the factors that influence its evolution. In the first chapter of the book What, When, and Where was Modernism, the authors discuss the origins of this artistic movement (Meecham and Sheldon 17). In particular, they focus on its main principles, regional peculiarities, and evolution of modernism. These are the main issues that the authors examine. Overall, it is possible to argue that the questions analyzed by the writers can be of great interest to people who want to learn about different factors or trends that affect the work of painters, architects, designers, sculptors, writers, and so forth. Furthermore, by looking at this topic, one can better understand the transformation or evolution of contemporary art and its major peculiarities. This is the main argument that should be analyzed in more detail.
It is possible to argue that the topic of this chapter is important because the writers discuss the main aspects of modernism. In this section of the book, the authors argue that this movement was an attempt to reinvent various forms of arts or find new forms of expression that can be more effective (Meecham and Sheldon 12). To a great extent, it was a response to the artistic movements and genres that were bound by rules or limitations (Meecham and Sheldon 12). This argument is very important for understanding the development of art at the turn of the centuries. It should be noted that there are many art historians who examine different aspects of modernism. For instance, one can mention a book Modernism: A Cultural History written by Tim Armstrong. This writer also wants to understand how modernism evolved with time passing (Armstrong 7). This example indicates that the questions examined by Pam Meecham and Julie Sheldon attract the attention of other scholars. Apart from that, one can agree with Pam Meecham and Julie Sheldon who believe modernism was an effort to find a new language in art. This is one of the issues that should be considered by the readers of the textbook.
Furthermore, the topic is this chapter is also important because it is closely related to the regional peculiarities of modernism. In particular, the authors note that it is difficult to detect the exact country where this artistic movement takes its origins, even though many scholars speak about France as the birthplace of modernism (Meecham and Sheldon 16). In the authors opinion, such a view is not quite justified because the development of modernism took place almost simultaneously (Meecham and Sheldon 16). This is one of the main points that the writers make in this chapter. This aspect of the topic should not be overlooked because the development of art does not follow the same pattern. There are regional peculiarities that distinguish different countries, such as France, Germany, the United States, or Russia. One can say that this issue be considered by people who want to get a better idea about different artistic movements or genres in various countries or regions. These are the reasons why this chapter is worth reading by students.
Additionally, the topic discussed by the writers is important because the authors show how different art movements and styles are interrelated and how they influence one another. Pam Meecham and Julie Sheldon examine the peculiarities of post-modernism and its differences from modernism (47). This question is often discussed by art historians as well as critics. It seems that this discussion is critical for people study the transformation of genres, styles, and norms. This issue is also examined by Kevin ODonnell who strives to gain insights into the nature of post-modernism and its distinguishing features, especially in comparison with modernism (ODonnell 8). This discussion presented by Pam Meecham and Julie Sheldon can help readers who want to see how different styles evolve or change with time passing. Therefore, this chapter of the textbook can be of great value to learners, especially if they want to gain in-depth insights into the differences between various artistic genres, styles, and movements or their interactions with one another. This is the main rationale for reading the first chapter of the textbook.
So, one can argue that the topic of this chapter is of great relevance to modern art historians who want to understand the development of art in the nineteenth and twentieth century. These people strive to understand various factors shape the development of art during a certain period. Furthermore, this discussion presented by the authors can throw light on how different social and political factors can shape art. The topic discussed by Pam Meecham and Julie Sheldon include such questions as the development of modernism, its national distinctions, and its influence on other movements. Each of these issues is still debated by people who study contemporary art, its history, or transformation. This is why this topic is important.
Works Cited
Armstrong, Tim. Modernism: A Cultural History, London: Polity, 2005. Print.
Meecham, Pam.,and J. Sheldon. Modern Art: A Critical Introduction, New York: Routledge, 2005. Print.
ODonnell, Kevin. Postmodernism, New York: Lion Books, 2003. Print.
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