AHIS BC 3626y Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Clement Greenberg, Avant-Garde, New York School (Art)
25 Aug 2016
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He is incredibly categorical and aggressive in his criticisms of forms of art. He creates a very particular narrative and cannon of art making which makes him controversial. Argues that innovation does not occur when subject matter is the focus. Literature should focus on subject matter, not art. Clement greenberg, avant-garde and kitsch, art in theory, 539-549. Avante garde seeks to detach itself from society. It repudiates revolutionary as well as bourgeois policies. The true and most important function of the avante garde is to keep culture moving in the midst of ideological confusion and violence. It is the culture of imitating the imitating. When there is an avante garde generally there is rearguard. In germany this mainstream was known as kitsch. The preconditions for this is a fully matured cultural tradition. Ultimately the point of the article: socialism and the avante garde way is the only way to preserve culture in its essence.
