Description
An insightful and beautifully illustrated new perspective on the role of Central European emigre artists, architects, and designers on American modernism
While the history of modernism in the United States is often seen as having roots in French art moderne, Jewel Stern and Christopher Long instead argue that Central European emigre designers had an outsized impact on the formation of a uniquely American modernism. The Vanguard examines the lives and careers of nearly fifty designers from Austria, Germany, and Hungary-including Paul T. Frankl, Ilonka Karasz, Winold Reiss, and Joseph Urban-who contributed to the early rise of modernism in America. From 1910 to 1940, these figures played a vital role in bringing to the fore the discussion of modernism and contributed to its ascendancy through their designs, writings, and exhibitions. Stern and Long reveal how this modernism reflected distinct American realities and tell a comprehensive new story of modernism's emigre roots.
The Vanguard examines the lives and careers of these designers, many of whom are hazily known at best, and argues that they had a significant influence on the new modernist aesthetic. Deeply researched and lavishly illustrated with nearly 300 color and black-and-white images, this book offers a full reorientation of our understanding of American modernism and the role of Central Europeans in its formation.
About the Author
Jewel Stern is an artist, independent curator, and art historian specializing in modern American design and architecture. Christopher Long is the Martin S. Kermacy Centennial Professor in Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin.
Book Information
ISBN 9780300278781
Author Jewel Stern
Format Hardback
Page Count 384
Imprint Yale University Press
Publisher Yale University Press
While the history of modernism in the United States is often seen as having roots in French art moderne, Jewel Stern and Christopher Long instead argue that Central European emigre designers had an outsized impact on the formation of a uniquely American modernism. The Vanguard examines the lives and careers of nearly fifty designers from Austria, Germany, and Hungary-including Paul T. Frankl, Ilonka Karasz, Winold Reiss, and Joseph Urban-who contributed to the early rise of modernism in America. From 1910 to 1940, these figures played a vital role in bringing to the fore the discussion of modernism and contributed to its ascendancy through their designs, writings, and exhibitions. Stern and Long reveal how this modernism reflected distinct American realities and tell a comprehensive new story of modernism's emigre roots.
The Vanguard examines the lives and careers of these designers, many of whom are hazily known at best, and argues that they had a significant influence on the new modernist aesthetic. Deeply researched and lavishly illustrated with nearly 300 color and black-and-white images, this book offers a full reorientation of our understanding of American modernism and the role of Central Europeans in its formation.
About the Author
Jewel Stern is an artist, independent curator, and art historian specializing in modern American design and architecture. Christopher Long is the Martin S. Kermacy Centennial Professor in Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin.
Book Information
ISBN 9780300278781
Author Jewel Stern
Format Hardback
Page Count 384
Imprint Yale University Press
Publisher Yale University Press
