I love this idea that the high modernist period was both deeply productive and fraught because they were playing for the 'highest stakes'. If you truly believe you have the power to shape the future, it can be very empowering. Conversely, those who feel powerless are also disempowered by the many side effects that this feeling brings. Europeans can no longer credibly believe that they are part of a contest to shape the character of future civilisation(s), let alone their own civilisation.
Even artists who stayed out of explicit politics (Joyce: “I shall try to fly past those nets”) were often radical and ambitious in cultural terms. This doesn’t feel like an option today either.
I love this idea that the high modernist period was both deeply productive and fraught because they were playing for the 'highest stakes'. If you truly believe you have the power to shape the future, it can be very empowering. Conversely, those who feel powerless are also disempowered by the many side effects that this feeling brings. Europeans can no longer credibly believe that they are part of a contest to shape the character of future civilisation(s), let alone their own civilisation.
Even artists who stayed out of explicit politics (Joyce: “I shall try to fly past those nets”) were often radical and ambitious in cultural terms. This doesn’t feel like an option today either.
Brilliantly done, Wessie!
Thanks David, very grateful for your kind words!