#1. Introduction to the Avant-Garde

I heard about Avant-garde so many times in fashion and art. However, I guess that not many people certainly know about this term’s meaning.  Originally, Avant-garde means that troop which rush and take the lead, when fighting a battle as military term. And then, in early of 19^th century, it used in politics term which is indicated who become the spearhead for class strife. From middle of 19^th century, it was settled as artistic term which is changed the revolutionary art trend or movement. Therefore, avant-garde is artistic movement which defiance to conventional authority and tradition and put up the action for revolutionary spirit or art. It is not indicated to particular principle or form, but it used in radical sprite of art in new age such as cubism, expressionism, surrealism things. And actually, developing machine civilization, expanding social consciousness things are some factor for this.  Personally, I have positive opinion for avant-garde. I think that creative and revolutionary thinking is always helpful to make new and develop things. If all people afraid of challenge to new things, I guess that the world could not be developed this much. Also, in the art world, many different styles of arts are existed and I think that avant-garde is one of parts.  As the video, Manet’s Luncheon on the Grass is unusual style painting so evaluate is like polar opposite. I think that this Manet’s painting could be challenge to viewer. Especially, naked woman is real person not a goddess or nymph, so people felt uncomfortable. Also, two men are also real person and people felt embarrassed that point out the hypocrisy of bourgeois. To viewer, this painting was new to viewer not only the subject but also formal aspect of it. Manet was depicted the landscape but did not used any perspective for size and position. At that time, people were used to perspective details for the landscape, so they could not felt any depth for the space. For example, the middle of the woman who is having a bath was painted too bigger than right side ship. So definitely people confused about perspective for this painting. In addition, Manet described the color but did not use light and shade by adjusting hue. When he described some object, he resolutely left out the middle tone and painted with green and brown color. Consequently, objects’ details became simplify but silhouette was emphasized. This painting did not give a depth for space but flatness is stand out. Maybe people thought that why this painting goes to backward style. However, Manet did not care about conventional style he made his painting. It could be unusual and uncomfortable, but it is not wrong. It is just one of unique styles. Because of this kind of subject and technique, this painting considered as starting modernism style. I think that before Manet appeared, purpose of art was delivered some subject as feeling and principle. However, Monat made viewer have attention to formal characteristics as art. Some of these reasons made Manet as pioneer of modern painting.