The 20th Century -isms Flashcards
When did the 20th century -isms take place and what was this period referred to as?
- the end of the 19th century (1800s)/beginning of the 20th century (1900s)
- referred to as the turn of the 20th century
What was the dominant form of theatre at the turn of the century?
- realism and naturalism
What kind of styles are realism and naturalism?
- anti-idealistic styles
- which attempted to represent reality in its truest form
- and to elevate the ordinary over the ideal
- “real” life was more important than the “ideal” life
What did artists and theatre makers start to consider?
- the fact that realism was perhaps inadequate in terms of trying to express themselves and discuss the world around them
What influenced the change in mindset of artists and theatre makers?
- political upheavals
- wars
What does the term “Avant Garde” mean in the context of theatre during the turn of the century?
- umbrella term for all the experimental forms of art that flowed forth from artists steering away from realism
Generally, what does the term “Avant Garde” mean?
- to be way out
- to take the lead
- new and experimental
Why were the “-isms” created?
- in order to rebel against realism
Why did they want to rebel against realism?
- realism was not serving the purposes of the theatre, visual art and literature that artists wished to create
What do the -isms challenge?
Dramatic norms; things that might be considered “normal” in theatre:
- actor
- audience
- plot
- character
What do the -isms break?
- the proscenium arch
What do the -isms want to encourage?
- want to create emotional theatre
- encourages closer actor/audience participation and relationships
What do the -isms want to be?
- relevant
What do the -isms want to reflect?
- a questioning society
How do the -isms use the theatre space?
- used the theatre space more flexibly
