Beckoning Modernism, And Realism In Europe, And In The Contemporary World: A Sociological Understanding At The Intersection Of Culture, And LanguageBeckoning Modernism, And Realism In Europe, And In The Contemporary World: A Sociological Understanding At The Intersection Of Culture, And Language

Abstract

Our research article explores the modes and characteristics of representation in two major art movements, viz. Modernism and Realism manifested in Europe, which influenced auteurs across the globe. Studying different art forms, namely visual arts, including painting, photography, cinema, and literature that originated during Modernism, we observed that the significant dialogues and deliberations were on breaking the shackles of doing art to cater to the religious sentiments. During this period, artists and auteurs were bold to explore their ideas and sense of aesthetics through vivid representations. The contour of Realism could be observed in the manifestation and representation of a reality that was then a deliberation topic. Documenting and further portraying lived experiences of individuals undergoing economic hardships, facing religious dogmas, huddles, free will, and personal liberty restricted within societal constraints through mediums like photography, painting, film, oral, written, and visual
narratives became crucial. In this paper, by taking the theoretical frameworks of noted
semiotician and linguist Ferdinand de Saussure and Sociologist Stuart Hall, we argue that the influence of Modernist and Realist art and aesthetics had its influence on contemporary artists too. So, it becomes quite intriguing to explore how then an art movement originated in the framework of a specific culture, and linguistic framework has its traits on many of our contemporary artworks.

We have used a methodological triangulation espoused by the noted sociologist Norman K. Denzin to understand this phenomenon. Under this framework of collecting and analyzing data, we have used semiotic analysis, in-depth expert interviews, and critical discourse analysis (CDA) to critically reflect on the narratives. We have observed the relationship between signifier and signified as experience in a particular narrative through semiotic analysis. Moreover, critical discourse analysis helps us explore the historical change and different discursive practices that might have constructed a narrative. Besides, CDA also enabled us to understand the power relations between the auteur, the privileged position the auteur has over her/his/their audience in dictating her/his/their reality. Finally, an in-depth expert interview of artists and research scholars has enabled us to receive our scholarly work’s validity.