'MODERN' at the Stedelijk Museum chronicles the evolution of modernism in art and design

In the ever-shifting landscape of global art and design, the term 'modern' has held various layered meanings. To trace the origin and development of the concept of modernism in the arts is to understand the journey of creatives who evolved and prospered (or sometimes ruined) the contemporary artistic landscape. The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam presents an immersive exhibition aptly titled MODERN, encapsulating the path-breaking endeavours of over 200 artists who laid the groundwork for the contemporary understanding of modern art. With a curated collection encompassing more than 300 works across 20 design and art movements ranging from Realism and Impressionism to Dada, Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts, Bauhaus, and De Stijl, the exhibition not only celebrates renowned figures but also brings lesser-known creators into the limelight. MODERN brings together a mix of paintings, product designs, furniture, objects, posters, digital media, and various other forms of art.

"The Stedelijk always looks at modernism with fresh eyes and is also intrigued by how makers showed their engagement with social issues. MODERN shows that twentieth-century modernism, with its geometric and abstract forms, did not emerge overnight, but was the outgrowth of enormous changes that had begun in the nineteenth century. The Stedelijk has an important collection of nineteenth-century art and design, which deserves to be given a proper platform in the light of twentieth-century developments,” explains Rein Wolfs, the director of the museum in the Netherlands.

MODERN is a tribute to widely acclaimed masterpieces and beloved favourites, as well as underrated yet impactful works. The design and art exhibition features works of iconic figures such as Vincent van Gogh, Emile Gallé, Josef Hoffmann, Fernand Léger, Piet Mondrian, Claude Monet, William Morris, Charlotte Perriand, and Gerrit Rietveld. It also showcases gems that have remained obscured from the public eye, including works of artists George Hendrik Breitner, Odilon Redon, and Jan Toorop, along with newly acquired pieces from Christopher Dresser, Marcel Breuer, and Hannah Höch.

The nineteenth and early twentieth centuries marked a turning point in human history, triggered by industrialisation, technological advancements, and a burgeoning artistic spirit. Citizens started to prefer art as a reflection of their era as opposed to sugary nostalgia. Furthermore, the resistance against cheap mass production prompted movements such as the English Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau that championed traditional craftsmanship. Designers embarked on a journey of innovation, harnessing modern materials such as steel, cast iron, and pressed glass to create cutting-edge pieces that resonated with their times. The fusion of modernity into products was evident, with items such as Peter Muller Munk's 'Normandie' water pitcher that drew inspiration from the streamline-style of the eponymous steamship.

As artists attempted to capture the essence of their contemporary settings, art underwent a transformation. Van Gogh's portrayal of an encroaching city consuming a Parisian suburb, Breitner's depiction of Amsterdam's urban fabric, and Jan Veth's incisive portraits of his contemporaries, illustrate this departure from the conventional subject matter. Moreover, innovations weren't confined to male artists—Suzanne Valadon challenged societal norms by presenting female nudes that defied traditional notions of beauty. Photographers such as Germaine Krull and Margaret Bourke-White explored subjects around steel and industrialisation, topics which were typically discussed by men.

This evolution of art extended to abstraction, as demonstrated by the compositional lines of Jan Hendrik Weissenbruch, and eventually, by artists such as Mondrian and Theo van Doesburg. Artistic critique of modernity emerged simultaneously, as seen in works by W.E.B. Du Bois, Dadaists, Gerd Arntz, Wifredo Lam, and Roberto Matta, challenging colonialist aspects inherent in modernism. The emergent theme of the exhibition is the aspiration to create art that is accessible and relatable to all. Toorop's preliminary studies for a ceramic triptych epitomise this ideal with its underlying socialist theme. Similarly, design movements such as De Stijl and Bauhaus aimed to shape a universal society through functional, ornament-free design. Notably, art that served a social purpose often originated beyond Europe and North America, as seen in ceremonial objects from different regions displayed at MODERN.

The comprehensive exhibition is complemented by an equally enlightening publication that features in-depth analyses by curators Ingeborg de Roode and Maurice Rummens, an essay by Bas Heijne on Toorop's triptych, and an interview with Rolando Vázquez Melken examining European modernism from a global and decolonial perspective. As MODERN captures the essence of artistic evolution, it invites visitors to journey through time and innovation, unravelling the meaning of modern art and design through the ages.

The 'MODERN' exhibition is on view from May 18 - September 24, 2023, at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

(Text by Aatmi Chitalia, Intern at STIR)