The Janus Face of the German Avant-Garde: From Expressionism Toward Postmodernism

Mehr zum Buch

The book offers a comprehensive reassessment of the German avant-garde, particularly focusing on expressionism and Dada from 1918 to the post-World War II era. Rainer Rumold analyzes three distinct phases: the initial revolt of conflicting discourses, the conservative backlash against radical anti-art in exile, and the emergence of the post-avant-garde. He explores the complex relationship between art and society through readings of influential figures like Carl Einstein and Walter Benjamin, highlighting the German avant-garde's unique approach to modernism and its cultural implications.