Formalism emerged as a prominent critical theory in the 20th century, rooted in the Russian Formalist movement of the early 1900s. It was a revolutionary approach to literature, art, and music, emphasizing a work's form, structure, and technique over its content or meaning.
Many of these elements have even made it into the piano method books that teachers choose as part of their lesson curriculum. Students these days learn more about music theory and analysis than prior generations, in part due to the formalistic emphasis of yesteryear.
Formalism sought to identify the unique features of each artistic medium and to analyze how those features contributed to the aesthetic experience of the work. In this article, we will explore the historical development of formalism, its key figures, theoretical foundations, and its impact on modernist movements.
Table of Content
- Historical Background and Development of Formalism
- Formalism in Literature, Art, and Music
- Key Figures of Formalism in the 20th Century
- Theoretical Foundations of Formalism
- Impact of Formalism on Modernist Movements
- Examples of Formalist Works in Literature, Art, and Music
- Conclusion
Historical Background and Development of Formalism
Formalism emerged in response to the dominant critical theories of the late 19th century, such as moral criticism and impressionism. Russian Formalism, founded by Viktor Shklovsky and Roman Jakobson, was the first formalist movement and profoundly influenced the development of formalism in literature, art, and music. It emphasized the study of literary devices, such as defamiliarization, which aimed to make the familiar strange to reveal its true nature. Russian Formalism also introduced the concept of the literary "device" or "technique," which became central to the formalist theory.
Formalism in Literature, Art, and Music
Formalism had a profound impact on literature, art, and music and had a lasting influence on modernist movements. Formalist literary critics analyzed the structure and language of literary works, focusing on elements such as imagery, metaphor, and symbolism. Formalist art critics similarly emphasized the form and structure of a job, emphasizing its visual qualities and compositional elements. Formalist music critics analyzed the structure and techniques of musical compositions, focusing on aspects such as harmony, rhythm, and melody.
Key Figures of Formalism in the 20th Century
Some key figures of 20th-century formalism include Viktor Shklovsky, Roman Jakobson, Boris Eichenbaum, Cleanth Brooks, W.K. Wimsatt, and I.A. Richards. Shklovsky and Jakobson founded Russian Formalism, while Eichenbaum was among its most prominent members. Cleanth Brooks, W.K. Wimsatt, and I.A. Richards were leading figures of the American New Criticism, a movement heavily influenced by Russian Formalism.
Theoretical Foundations of Formalism
Formalism was based on several theoretical foundations that were central to its approach. The first was the idea that literary works were unique forms of language that differed from ordinary language in their operation. Formalist critics sought to identify the literary devices and techniques that characterized these works and analyze how they contributed to the overall aesthetic experience.
Another theoretical foundation of formalism was the literary "device" or "technique," which referred to the specific techniques used by authors to create the desired effect. Formalist theory also emphasizes the importance of form, structure, and technique in creating meaning in literary works.
Impact of Formalism on Modernist Movements
Formalism profoundly impacted modernist movements such as the avant-garde, surrealism, and cubism. These movements shared formalism's emphasis on form, structure, and technique and sought to challenge traditional artistic conventions by experimenting with new forms and methods.
Formalism also influenced the development of postmodernism, emphasizing the fragmentation and deconstruction of traditional forms and structures.
Examples of Formalist Works in Literature, Art, and Music
Examples of formalist works in literature include T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land, which uses various literary techniques, such as juxtaposition and allusions, to create a fragmented and complex narrative. Another example is Ernest Hemingway's Hills Like White Elephants, which employs a minimalist writing style to convey the tension and conflict between the two characters.
Kazimir Malevich's "Black Square" is a prominent example of formalism in art. The painting features a simple black square on a white background, reflecting the formalist idea of reducing art to its essential elements and eliminating representational content. Another example is Piet Mondrian's "Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow," which features a grid of horizontal and vertical lines and primary colors, reflecting the formalist emphasis on geometric abstraction and simplicity.
Igor Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" is a famous example of formalism in music. The composition features dissonant harmonies, irregular rhythms, and unconventional orchestration, reflecting the formalist idea of challenging traditional musical conventions and structures. Another example is Arnold Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique, which emphasizes using all twelve chromatic scale notes and avoids traditional tonality.
Formalism is criticized for its narrow focus on form at the expense of content and meaning. Critics also argue that formalist works can be overly intellectual and inaccessible to general audiences and that they can ignore important social and political issues. Additionally, some argue that formalism ignores the role of the artist's expression and subjectivity in creating art.
Despite these criticisms, formalism has significantly impacted modernist movements in literature, art, and music. It challenged traditional forms and conventions and inspired new approaches to creativity and expression. The legacy of formalism can be seen in contemporary art, literature, and music, which continue to experiment with form and structure in innovative ways.
Conclusion
In the final words, formalism was a significant movement in 20th-century literature, art, and music that focused on the importance of form, structure, and technique in creating works of art. It was influenced by philosophical and aesthetic ideas and driven by key figures such as Shklovsky, Propp, and Brooks. Although it has been criticized for its narrow focus on form and its potential to be overly intellectual, formalism had a lasting impact on modernist movements and continues to inspire new approaches to creativity and expression.
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