English
There are classical and modern things, traditional and new customs, ancient and future philosophies… It was under this simple dichotomy how a concept that today remains a subject of philosophical reflection and important social begun: What is modernity? Perhaps you remember having discussed this issue during your studies. Or maybe this subject does not inspire you in any way. The truth is that whatever you know about it, this is a very difficult subject to summarize in one sentence, since everyone, most intellectuals and artists, seek a way to express and define what modernity is. To learn more about modernity, visit the “Modernologies” exhibition which occupies one floor of the Contemporary Art of Barcelona Museum (MACBA) until 17th January.
Follow the skaters in the Raval district right to the Plaça dels Angels (the MACBA square), where they meet to skate. Discover what the modernity subject means. Is this an international or European concept? Is this artistic or political? And what are the differences with Modernism? History tends to date the events or social concepts, but often this date is the starting point for endless discussions to define a new idea. In the case of modernity, we have not finished discussing it yet!
Some people say it began in 1492 with the arrival of Columbus to America, but others place it after the Industrial Revolution in the late nineteenth century, and others date it after the French Revolution. It is not very clear. The concept of modernity did not come from one day to another. Modernity is a whole concept that lasted for years in several countries after many political events, many reflections and numerous works of art. The origin of this word is not accurate; it seems that modernity has always existed. Perhaps it is a timeless concept.
The truth is that this is a distinctly European idea, which is often described as the systematic use of the reason in philosophy – the time of the Lumières in France, or as an emancipation of the religious ideas and other sociological beliefs. This was a discussion topic for some artists like Plato, Descartes, Nietzsche, Heidegger and also contemporary philosophers. As you can see, nothing is written in stone.
To discover and clarify its various origins, dimensions and consequences, 130 works and projects of over thirty artists or groups are on exhibit at the MACBA Museum in Barcelona. They invite you to reflect on the modern aesthetics, about the interrelationships between modernity and colonialism, and about the theory of architecture, politics and life. Does Modernity mean change and disruption?
We recommend the “Modernologies” exhibition. Contemporary artists investigate the modernity and modernism “because it is essential to advance the meaning of some fundamentals of European societies. This is our culture! Rent Apartments in Barcelona, so you can relax after a hard day reflecting on modernity.
