The Impact of Internationalism on Modernist Art

Internationalism played a big part in the development of Modernist art, but it wasn't without its problems. In the early 20th century, the world faced many social and political challenges. While internationalism wanted to break down borders and encourage artists to work together, things often turned out to be messy and confusing.

1. Loss of Cultural Identity

• One major issue was that artists risked losing their unique cultural identities. Many artists wanted to connect with international trends, but this sometimes clashed with their local traditions.
• This created feelings of being out of place, as local artists struggled to blend their backgrounds with new artistic ideas.
• For example, styles like Cubism and Futurism became so popular that they overshadowed local art forms, ignoring the rich stories found in various cultures.

2. Misunderstandings in Communication

• When artists from different cultures tried to talk to each other, there were often misunderstandings. Important cultural meanings and ideas got lost along the way.
• While different art movements took inspiration from one another, they didn't always understand each other's backgrounds.
• A common example is how some Western artists used African art in their work without grasping its true meaning, which resulted in a shallow use of different styles.

3. Political Struggles

• The politics of that time made it hard for artists to connect globally. Events like World Wars and colonialism created divides between countries and cultures, which made sharing ideas challenging.
• Artists often ended up making work that reflected their own national struggles instead of focusing on a united international perspective.
• For instance, many artists fled Europe due to oppressive governments, which broke apart the international artist community. Jewish artists, during the Holocaust, experienced this firsthand.

4. The Influence of Money

• As Modernism became more popular, making art profitable became a big problem for true international cooperation. Art started to be treated like a product, mainly in cities like Paris and New York.
• This often left out voices from smaller cities and countries in the global south.
• The need to make money sometimes diluted innovative ideas, limiting artists to what was financially safe instead of what was creatively exciting.

How to Overcome These Challenges:

• Encourage Inclusivity: To fix the issues with internationalism, the art world needs to embrace more diverse voices. Supporting collaborations that respect cultural differences can make discussions and practices richer.

• Educate Artists: Providing educational programs focused on understanding different cultures will help reduce misunderstandings. Artists need to learn about the stories behind the styles they want to use.

• Support Local Art: Helping local art movements and recognizing their importance in international conversations can balance the narrative, honoring both global connections and local identities.

In conclusion, while internationalism created many challenges for Modernist art, focusing on inclusivity, education, and support for local artists can lead to a more genuine and united art world.