Avant-Garde Concept in Modern Art,

¶ … avant-garde concept in modern art, and how various artists and movements attempted to achieve social and artistic changes.

Avant-garde in art refers to a small group of painters who formed their own "Salon" after being refused acceptance by the official Paris Salon that exhibited the works of established and up-and-coming painters of the 1860s. The "refues" created the Salon des Refuses that exhibited their artworks that had been rejected by the Salon. Some of the artists who exhibited at the Salon des Refuses included Camille Pissarro, Paul Cezanne, edouard Manet, and James McNeill Whistler, who would all go on to have successful careers as Impressionist, modernist, naturalist and other types of artists. Avant-garde came to mean breakthrough or progress and reform, and each of these artists fought for their artwork to be accepted by the population and critics, but they also fought for social reform and change in their own society.

Avant-garde may have begun in the 19th century, but it continues through the 20th century, and can also refer to anything outside the normal art world. For example, some people consider graffiti to be modern day avant-garde art. In the 20th century, painters such as Picasso and Dali, who dabbled in modern arts like Cubism and Dadaism were considered avant-garde artists. Throughout artistic change, those leaders of change were the avant-garde artists who would someday become accepted and admired.

Through their art, they changed what was accepted in the art world, but they also made social commentaries about what was happening in society. For example, in 1938, Picasso painted "Guernica," an emotional reaction to the bombing of a Spanish Basque town by Nazi bombers. The painting has remained one of his most famous and well-known, as much for its depiction of the destroyed town and some of the victims as for its staunch and clear stand against the brutality of the Nazis. These artists were not afraid to stand up for what they believed in, and they wanted to change society to become a better place. They created art that was unusual and unique, but they also created art that made statements about who they were and what they believed. Again, this has continued throughout the 20th century. Many critics and experts feel that other more modern examples of avant-garde work include the music and art of John and Yoko Ono, and the arrival of digital media in the art world.

Each of the avant-garde artists wanted the art world to accept their work too, no matter how different or unorthodox it might be. Pissarro, Manet, and Cezanne all were Impressionists at a time when art was more natural and lifelike. Their art was not accepted for years, and they struggled with their style while others simply conformed to what was in style at the time. That is another mark of the avant-garde in the art world. They do not conform, rather, they dare to be different and unique and hope tastes will change and people will begin to embrace their art. They do not give up, however. Matisse is a good example of that tenacity that turns into favor. His work was modern when Impressionism had finally come into vogue, and he had to wait many years for his artwork to be accepted and viable. The avant-garde artist is different and unique - on the cutting edge so to speak - and so, they create new and daring art forms that take time to be accepted, but usually are.