This Saturday, June 10th, marks World Art Nouveau Day, to promote the Art Nouveau heritage present in cities around the world, as well as to pay tribute to the greatest exponents of this artistic, architectural, and literary renewal movement developed at the end of the 19th century.
How did World Modernism Day originate?
Since 2013, World Art Nouveau Day has been celebrated, on the initiative of Hungary.
The selection of the date is due to the commemoration of the passing of two of the greatest exponents of this artistic movement, on this very day: the Catalan Antoni Gaudí (June 10, 1926) and the Hungarian Ödön Lechner (June 10, 1914).
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What is Modernism?
Modernism was an artistic, architectural, and literary movement that emerged from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, oriented toward creative renewal in rejection of the historicism and impressionism of the late 19th century.
It is also known as Art Nouveau (Belgium, Spain, France), Modern Style (Netherlands, Anglo-Saxon countries), Liberty or Floreale (Italy), Sezession (Austria), Jugendstil (Germany and Nordic countries).
The central theme of this artistic movement was based on creating a new, free, and modern art inspired by nature, incorporating some innovations from the Industrial Revolution.
It was applied to various arts, such as architecture, painting, sculpture, graphic arts, jewelry, street furniture, among others.
Some of the characteristics of Modernism are the following:
It exalts the individual and their inner strength, through new forms of expression and aesthetics in artistic works.
Use of curved lines and asymmetries, elements of natural origin, such as plants and rounded organic-type shapes, feminine images with graceful and delicate attitudes; exotic motifs inspired by diverse cultures, such as Japanese prints.
Prominent figures and works of Modernism
Below, we mention some artistic works by two of the greatest exponents of Modernism: the modernist architects Antoni Gaudí (Spain) and Ödön Lechner (Hungary). Some of their works have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
Antoni Gaudí:
The Sagrada Familia.
Park Güell.
Güell Palace.
Casa Milà, Casa Vicens and Casa Batlló.
Colonia Güell Crypt in Santa Coloma de Cervelló.
Ödön Lechner:
Szeged City Hall.
Hungarian Railway Pensioners’ Building (Budapest).
Nagybecskerek City Hall (Kingdom of Hungary).
St. Ladislaus Church, Kőbánya (Budapest).
Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest
Geological Institute and Museum of Budapest.
Church of St. Elizabeth (Kingdom of Hungary).
Saint Ladislaus Church (Connecticut, USA).
San Laszlo School (Budapest).
How is World Art Nouveau Day celebrated?
In the celebration of this anniversary, various activities are carried out, such as fairs, conferences, exhibitions, routes, and publications to highlight the works and legacy of this artistic movement.
Source: Agencies
