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Modernism Explained

By Jutta Seibert

Scholars interested in modernism will be delighted to learn that they now have electronic access to The Routledge Encyclopedia of Modernism (REM) through Falvey Memorial Library. Modernism is an umbrella term for a hodgepodge of movements in literature and the arts, among them expressionism, dadaism, cubism, social realism, surrealism, futurism, and Bauhaus. Modernist thinking and ideas influenced architecture, dance, theater, film, literature, music, philosophy, and the visual arts from the late 19th century until the middle of the 20th century.

All the articles in the Encyclopedia are written by subject specialists and include recommended reading lists as well as cross-references to related content. For example, the article about Russian Modernism includes links to articles about representative Russian artists together with links to overview articles about Social Realism and Symbolism. A scholar looking up Entartete Kunst will find two overview articles on Modernism in Europe and Expressionism, five topical articles including one on Entartete Kunst, and three biographical articles on artists associated with the movement.

REM’s global interdisciplinary coverage is particularly noteworthy. Contents are indisputably skewed towards Europe, but there is a fair amount of global coverage. Articles about literature and the visual arts clearly dominate content about the other arts. REM’s landing page links out to popular and new content. Modernism in the Middle East and Arab World is currently featured as the most read article. If you would like to learn more about REM, take the online tour.

Related resources:

Jutta Seibert is Director of Research Services & Scholarly Engagement at Falvey Memorial Library.

 

 



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Trial access to the Routledge Encyclopedia of Modernism

By Jutta Seibert

Students and scholars interested in the modernist era will welcome the chance to take a closer look at The Routledge Encyclopedia of Modernism (REM) in the coming weeks. Trial access will be available until October 23 through the Databases A-Z list on the Library’s website.

REM distinguishes itself through global interdisciplinary coverage of its subject matter. The ideas of modernism were explored and embraced by artists, writers, and thinkers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Well known schools and movements such as expressionism, social realism, dadaism, cubism, and Bauhaus emerged during the modernist era. Modernist thinking and ideas influenced architecture, dance, theater, film, literature, music, philosophy, and the visual arts.

The REM platform offers both keyword searching and browsing by subject, movement, and place. All articles are written by subject specialists and include recommended reading lists as well as cross-references to related resources. For example, the article about Russian Modernism proffers links to articles about representative Russian artists and works as well as to overview articles on Social Realism and Symbolism. While REM content is heavily weighted in favor of artists and movements in the visual arts and literature, there are some unexpected contributions, such as an article about Physical Culture, which traces today’s interest in physical fitness back to the modernist era.

Take the online tour to learn more about REM, and contact us if you would like to recommend REM for the permanent collection.


Jutta Seibert is Director of Research Services & Scholarly Engagement at Falvey Memorial Library.

 

 



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Last Modified: September 29, 2020

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