Avantgardeliikkeet

Avantgardeliikkeet, often simply referred to as avant-garde, represent a broad range of artistic, cultural, and social movements that emerged primarily in the early 20th century. The term "avant-garde" itself is of French military origin, meaning "advance guard" or "vanguard," signifying a pioneering and experimental spirit. These movements challenged established norms, traditions, and conventional aesthetics in various fields, including visual arts, literature, music, and theater.

Key characteristics of avant-garde movements include a strong emphasis on innovation, experimentation with new forms and techniques, and a desire to break away from past artistic conventions. They often sought to provoke, shock, or question the prevailing social and political order. Many avant-garde artists and thinkers aimed to redefine the very purpose and definition of art itself.

Prominent avant-garde movements include Cubism, Futurism, Dadaism, Surrealism, and Expressionism, among others. Each movement possessed its unique set of philosophies and artistic strategies, yet they shared a common thread of radical exploration and a rejection of bourgeois values. The impact of these movements on subsequent artistic developments has been profound, shaping the trajectory of modern and contemporary art. While the peak of the classic avant-garde was in the early to mid-20th century, the spirit of experimentation and challenging the status quo continues to influence artistic and cultural production to this day.