Relationship between cllage and avant-grade in the 20th century Essay

Relationship between cllage and avant-grade in the 20th century - Essay Example The two-dimensional collages that they developed were implemented using newspaper clippings, colored papers, tobacco wrappers, and wallpapers. After the cubists embraced collage, various other artists and movements joined the train and started recognizing its potential as an aspect of art. In parts of Italy, the futurists received recognition for successfully adopting the use of collage to express the principles of the machine age. In Russia, the constructivists adopted the use of collage in developing posters that announced the Russian Revolution. More recently, neo-Expressionists have integrated certain aspects of collage into primarily painted surfaces (Ryder, 2009, pp.2). For instance, this can be best illustrated in the way Jeff Koon continually interprets aspects of pop culture, just as he designed a balloon twisted into an animal shape and cast in ceramic with a metallic finish. The objective of this paper is to discuss the role of collage in the development and divergence of twentieth century notions of the avant-garde; and determine whether Greenberg is being reductive behind the whole idea of avant-garde. Discussion Initially, the term avant-garde was used to describe â€Å"the foremost part of an army advancing to war.’ Currently it is also used to describe a grouping of artists who perceive itself to be innovative and unique. Others use this French originated term to describe a movement advancing radical social change. More progressively, the term was linked to movements formed to champion art issues. Such groups direct their attention fundamentally more towards developing and diversifying cutting edges of aesthetic experience, and not aggressive social change (Pronko, 2003, pp.1). Fundamentally, the idea of avant-garde is used to describe â€Å"artists, writers, thinkers and theorists† whose contribution in the field of art contradicts mainstream culture systems and frequently has an incisive social or political edge. Most of these g roups of individuals and groups made affirmations regarding vanguard culture in the seminal periods of modernization (Pronko, 2003, pp.2). However, the first authoritative statement issued on the subject of avant-garde was in Clement Greenberg’s essay titled â€Å"Avant-Garde and Kitsch.† This was a New York based art critic whose work still receives a lot of recognition until today. In this piece of work, he argued that vanguard culture over the years had been critical of the mainstream culture, as well as the synthesized mass culture that is attributed to the process of industrialization. To this art critic, these forms of culture admittedly ought to be described as Kitsch; meaning counterfeit and mechanical. Notwithstanding Greenberg’s critical arguments, other quarters have misleadingly suited and misused the term â€Å"avant-garde†, primarily as a marketing strategy to popularize other forms of art such as music and films. Currently, it is not surpri sing to hear people refer to rock superstars and film celebrities as avant-garde. With all this counter arguments, it is important to understand the role played by ancient art forms, particularly the collage, in the development and divergence of the notion of avant-garde as understood in the twentieth century. Schwitters was a well recognized artist in the nineteenth century who developed his first

The Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria - Essay Example The group is a leading concern for U.S policymakers. Boko Haram’s declaration that it has instituted an Islamic caliphate has stirred up international concerns over the insurgents’ brisk ascent in Nigeria (Smith, 2014). Policymakers should refrain from categorizing Boko Haram as simply another enemy in the war against international terrorism. Although the group’s activities are principally local, if allowed to grow in magnitude, the consequences could be dire for the entire international system. Â  The United States government designated Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order (E.O) 13224 on November 14, 2013 (Smith, 2014). These designations are a crucial step in the comprehensive approach towards countering the impact of Boko Haram. The Boko Haram rebellion is an express consequence of chronic poor governance from the federal and state governments of Nigeria that has resulted in the political marginalization of various regions in Northeast Nigeria (Smith, 2014). The region’s accelerating state of poverty further worsens the situation. The rebel movement has instituted several attacks in the northeastern region of Nigeria and has gone as far as kidnapping young females (Smith, 2014). The Nigerian government, under the leadership of former President Jonathan Goodluck, made limited progress towards handling the political situation (Smith, 2014). The United States remains profoundly conce rned about the situation. The United States has policies in place that supports the sharing of information, as well as programs aimed at supplying affirmative alternatives to societies at risk of radicalization and terrorist recruitment (Smith, 2014). The United States has the remarkable capacity in its military to protect its welfare around the globe.