Modernist

A Modernist is an individual or group who embraces the philosophical and aesthetic tenets of Modernism. This often involves a conscious rejection of traditional forms and values in favor of experimentation, innovation, and a focus on the present. Modernists sought to redefine art, literature, architecture, and culture through new techniques, styles, and subjects, reflecting the rapid social and technological changes of the early 20th century, often emphasizing subjectivity and individual experience.

Modernist meaning with examples

• The architect, a staunch Modernist, designed a stark, minimalist building with glass and steel, a deliberate departure from the ornate Victorian style of the surrounding structures. The design showcased a belief in functionality over tradition and a celebration of modernity.
• Ezra Pound, a prominent Modernist poet, revolutionized poetic form through free verse and experimental techniques, reflecting the anxieties and complexities of the post-war world, and a rejection of traditional poetic structure.
• Many artists were considered Modernist painters and experimented with abstraction, challenging the established conventions of representation, opting for bold colors and non-representational art forms to evoke emotions and ideas.
• The Modernist novel often explored the fragmented nature of consciousness and the alienation of individuals in modern society, rejecting the linear narrative structures favored by their predecessors. Focus on the 'stream of consciousness'.
• The rise of the Modernist movement in music witnessed composers exploring atonality, dissonance, and unconventional instrumentation, disrupting traditional harmonies and melodies. The work would not follow any particular convention.