Russian Modernism: Art, Life, and Culture

Catalog description

This course examines the history and core ideas behind major Russian modernist movements—including Symbolism, Futurism, Cubism, Cosmism, and abstract/non-figurative art—and explores how these movements differed from similar art styles and trends in other parts of the world. We will focus on understanding the Russian modernists’ relentless emphasis on the inner world, defiance of social and moral conventions, and drive to experiment in art and life. In Russian modernism, art held spiritual power more profoundly than in comparable Western movements and was tasked with engineering social change. Russian Symbolists and avant-gardists engaged with abstract themes—such as eternal beauty and immortality—as well as urgent societal issues tied to modernization, including gender, sexuality, family structure, feminism, and socialist communities. While the ideas developed by modernist movements often prioritized intellectual ideals over practical solutions, they remain essential for interpreting modernist art and connecting with its enduring emotional resonance. The readings include short literary works, philosophical fragments, and artistic manifestos. All materials and discussions are in English.