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Expressionism is an early 20th-century movement that revolutionized art and literature by expressing the inner emotional reality of the human experience. It emerged as a reaction to the detailed realism of the 19th century, focusing on themes of disillusionment and the quest for authenticity amidst rapid societal changes. The movement, influenced by Nietzschean philosophy, manifested in various forms, including theater, cinema, and poetry, and left a lasting legacy on avant-garde movements.
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Expressionism is a multifaceted movement that emerged in the early 20th century, encompassing literature, theater, visual arts, film, and music
Detailed Realism and Naturalism in the 19th Century
Expressionism represented a departure from the detailed realism and naturalism of the 19th century, which often depicted bourgeois life and societal norms
Inner Emotional Reality of the Human Experience
Expressionists sought to convey the inner emotional reality of the human experience, focusing on themes of disillusionment, anxiety, and the sense of alienation
The movement was shaped by the tumultuous backdrop of the Industrial Revolution and the horrors of World War I, which collectively undermined faith in progress and the rationality of the modern world
The philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche, particularly his pronouncement of the "death of God" and the concept of the Übermensch, profoundly influenced Expressionism
Nietzsche's call for individual self-realization and life affirmation inspired Expressionist artists to explore the theme of the "New Man," who seeks to transcend conventional societal roles
It is crucial to note that Nietzsche's philosophies were later co-opted and distorted by the Nazis to justify their own agenda, which was antithetical to Nietzsche's original ideas
Expressionist art and literature are characterized by a focus on the representation of intense emotional states
Expressionists had a tendency to abstract reality in their works
The quest for authenticity and the transformation into the "New Man" are recurrent themes in Expressionist works
In theater, Expressionism involved the use of episodic structures, innovative set designs, and monologues to express the protagonists' psychological states
In cinema, Expressionist films utilized exaggerated sets and narrative techniques to depict the characters' subjective realities
Expressionist poetry aimed to distill emotions to their essence, often through intense, lyrical language
The innovative spirit of Expressionism influenced later avant-garde movements such as The Theatre of the Absurd, which found liberation in the acceptance of the absence of meaning
Brecht's Epic Theatre, evolving from his Expressionist roots, sought to engage audiences intellectually and advocate for social change
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______ was a diverse movement that began in the early ______ century, influencing various art forms such as literature and film.
Expressionism
20th
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Key artist groups of Expressionism
Die Brücke (1905), Der Blaue Reiter (1911)
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Primary location of Expressionism
Centered in Germany, spread to Europe and USA
