The Theory of the Avant-Garde

by Renato Poggioli

Convinced that all aspects of modern culture have been affected by avant-garde art, Poggioli explores the relationship between the avant-garde and civilization. Historical parallels and modern examples from all the arts are used to show how the avant-garde is both symptom and cause of many major extra-aesthetic trends of our time, and that the contemporary avant-garde is the sole and authentic one.

Genres: Art, History, Art History, Nonfiction, Theory, Criticism, Literary Criticism

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Renato Poggioli (Florence 1907-1963) was an Italian literary critic and specialist in Russian literature. He is known for his book Teoria dell'arte d'avanguardia of 1962, translated into English as The Theory of the Avant-garde. In it he argued for the strict connection of the avant garde with the legacy of Romanticism.

Reviews

[Skrivena stranica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Previše nedorečenosti za moj ukus, ali svejedno korisno za proučavanje problematike. I napokon netko tko je uočio povezanost avangarde i romantizma.

[Sachin · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most influential sociological study of the phenomenon of `avant-garde'in arts. It draws from well known analysis by Jose Ortega Gassett' The Dehumanization of Art'.
Recommended for anyone trying to understand the social forces and its relation to the experimental art.

[erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

i was casually re-reading this for a bit. like a paragraph or 2 a day or so. it was part the curriculum for my philosophy of art class way back when at app. it was like the only class i rly fucked with in college & i got a 96 in it. i wrote a paper abt fiona apple & philip glass being opposites in regards to expressionism i think. anyway.. when i found this on a stoop last yr, it called to me. tbh i think finding it & rereading it was the final push to get me to transfer & resume online classes.

it was fun to read it again with my more established adult mind. (i’m even dumber ! jkjk) i still have my qualms w it tho. it’s no secret the translation sucks ass. another thing, it doesn’t lean into the headiness of avant garde’s influence but really just definining it as a rote timeframe epoch rather than an essence or sociological mindhive ideal. but still an interesting read nonetheless.

it’s one of those books where u sit back & be like "do i agree ? does this frustrate me? do i see the argument ? am i enjoying myself ?" also, it’s suitable to pace around yr apt & read some sections out loud.. during a lunch break while working from home having the back n forth footsteps provoke yr neighbor below to such an extent they repeatedly hit the ceiling with a broom to get u to stfu bc yr cracked out on too much caffeine.

i also distinctly remember reading this while listening to rimbaudian n burial lofi bc i was too scattered to listen to shit with distinct words. that’s how u know it hit too

[Guinevere]

i have a toxic relationship with this book

[Ellen Enderle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who has a sincere interest in the the expression of 'the avant-garde' in the arts should thoroughly enjoy reading this book. The author has a comprehensive historical understanding of such movements, as well as keen insight into the possible motivations, functions, and significance of the avant-garde. Lastly, a quote by Gabriel Désiré Laverdant from the book:

"Art, the expression of society, manifests in its highest soaring, the most advanced social tendencies: it is the forerunner and the revealer. Therefore, to know whether art worthily fulfills its proper mission as initiator, whether the artist is truly of the avant-garde, one must know where Humanity is going, know what the destiny of the human race is...Along with the hymn to happiness, the dolorous despairing ode...To lay bare all the brutalities, all the filth, which are at the base of our society."

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chapter 1, Concept of the Avant-Garde