Barbara Benjamin
23 October 1994
ESSAY: MODERNISM IN
ART AND LITERATURE
Of all the works
in the Whitney Collection, I had a difficult time to
determine which of the works most reminded me of the modernist literary style
since they were all representative.
Modernism is a broad category. But, being forced to choose, I decided that two works more
closely resembled the literary trend that I identify with as modernism, at this
time.
The first painting
is "The White Calico Flower" by Georgia O'Keefe. The flower is extremely
simplified, very large, and off-scale.
The painting is done basically in only two
colors, but with various shades and tints of those two colors. The work is two-dimensional with a repetitive
design of curves and circles. The style
is minimalist, which gives the representation of something with the least
amount of detail. Although the flower is
understated and more closely resembles a paper cut-out,
it still has all the grace and beauty of the real thing. The eye sees minimal representation, but the
mind infers and interprets the rest. The
style is reminiscent of Hemingway's literary style.
The second work is "The Black Room"
by Stuart Davis. This work bears close resemblance to T.S.
Eliot's "The Wasteland," as well as to Hemingway's novel "The
Sun Also Rises," and which also reflects Gertrude Stein's remark of the
"lost generation." It's interesting to note that this painting was done in
1913, far in advance of any of the three items mentioned. However, the content is unmistakable.
The setting is in
a drinking establishment. The room is
dark and gloomy, without windows. The
faces of the patrons are mask-like, devoid of human warmth and expression. Although some of the figures appear somewhat
animated, and seem to be communicating, they don't
seem to make eye contact, which leaves one with a feeling of alienation and
non-connection. Although these people
have gathered together to enjoy the atmosphere of
their fellows and the music (there are musicians in the corner of the
painting), it seems paradoxical to the atmosphere of the dark, gloomy room and
the expressionless faces. The painting
lacks any feeling of warmth, congeniality, or human closeness. It is in this way that the scene reminds me of the lost generation.