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The aim of the programme is to show how, out of the industrialised cities of the 19th century, artists and poets of modern times have created a positive and enthusiastic image of city life. In the ...17th and 18th centuries, artists, as well as philosophers and poets, had little doubt as to the identity of city and civilisation. But the later 18th Century brought a sudden and total rejection of the serene and joyous city image. The assertion that civilisation in general, and the city in particular, was bad for mankind became commonplace. Once the city had been the Image of civilisation; under the impact of industrialisation, it became the symbol of man's failure to shape his world. Yet other views did emerge. Exhilarated by the crowded city and the power of technology, artists, poets, and more recently photographers and film-makers, have created a different image, one that is very persuasive and still has the power to moderate our doubts about city life. The speaker is Norbert Lynton, Professor of History and Theory of Art, University of Sussex.
The aim of the programme is to show how, out of the industrialised cities of the 19th century, artists and poets of modern times have created a positive and enthusiastic image of city life. In the ...17th and 18th centuries, artists, as well as philosophers and poets, had little doubt as to the identity of city and civilisation. But the later 18th Century brought a sudden and total rejection of the serene and joyous city image. The assertion that civilisation in general, and the city in particular, was bad for mankind became commonplace. Once the city had been the Image of civilisation; under the impact of industrialisation, it became the symbol of man's failure to shape his world. Yet other views did emerge. Exhilarated by the crowded city and the power of technology, artists, poets, and more recently photographers and film-makers, have created a different image, one that is very persuasive and still has the power to moderate our doubts about city life. The speaker is Norbert Lynton, Professor of History and Theory of Art, University of Sussex.
| Module code and title: | A351, Modern art from 1848 to the present: styles and social implications |
|---|---|
| Item code: | A351; 05 |
| First transmission date: | 19-05-1976 |
| Published: | 1976 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:23 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Mary Hoskins |
| Contributors: | Alexander John; Norbert Lynton |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | 19th century; 20th century; Artists; Poets |
| Footage description: | (Throughout the programme there are numerous paintings by various artists shown) Scenes of an American city. Lynton introduces the programme which will look at images of the city. He begins by pointing out how the nineteenth century saw the first loss of faith in the city. Lynton looks at illustrators, inc. Dore and photographers' views of city life. He moves on to positive views, from Baudelaire through Daumier to the ambiguous response of the Impressionists. Further positive views are seen in Italian Futurist paintings which are compared to the rhetoric of some contemporary poets, Verhaeren and Romains. The Cubist use of collage is mentioned, moving on to Delaunay's more lyrical optimistic enthusiasm for the city. Further reactions to city life and change are looked at in more Futurist paintings and German Expressionism. The progression from an interest in geometric statements to Mondrian's Neo Plasticism is seen as another response. These generalised idioms are compared with Leger's more approachable city style. Lynton moves on to the image making media, photography and film. Initially he looks at montage etc. then using oholy-Nagy and Rodchenko as examples, discusses developments in technique and method. Finally Lynton looks at film for showing the city image. The programme closes with sequences from Vertov's 'Man with the Movie Camera'. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/72156 |
| Production number: | 00525_3205 |
| Videofinder number: | 3333 |
| Available to public: | no |
