Modernisim

Jonathan Harris's article "Prospects for a Renewal in Critical Art History" is about the different ways in which modernism and postmodernism reflected changes in 19th century society’s political, intellectual, and social structure. Modern art shifted subject matter from to focus on the urbanization and shifting of population needs. Industrialization and economic growth changed society extensively and inspired the modern art period to “constitute an intense engagement with, and desire to represent these new components of social life” (Harris, p. 6). Postmodernism further developed the idea of a changing society in the 20th century and the lines between the two are blurred.

This article was a challenging read and assumes a high level of knowledge about the artists and politics mentioned. It does not easily allow a student to read it without prior knowledge of its subject matter. I would prefer it if it were clearer on differences between modern and postmodern with easier to understand language.