Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

"Modernism: Designing a New World" is the first book to explore Modernism and design from a truly international perspective, and across all the arts. It offers a reassessment of the idea of Modernism and reveals the fundamental ways in which it has shaped our own world and its visual culture. Modernism flourished during the years 1914 to 1939. As a movement it was the key point of reference for 20th century architecture, design and art. Modernists had a Utopian desire to create a better world, frequently combined with social and political beliefs that design and art could transform society. The range of objects illustrated - including painting, sculpture, film, photography, prints and collage as well as architecture, interiors, furniture, manufactured products, graphic and fashion design - reflect the period's emphasis on the unity of the arts and the key role of the fine arts in shaping contemporary visual culture. Europe and America take centre stage but the reach of Modernism is demonstrated by selected works from around the world, including Russia, Palestine and Japan.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Sponsor's Foreword (p. 6)
• Acknowledgements (p. 7)
• List of Contributors (p. 8)
• List of Lenders (p. 9)
• 1 Introduction: What was Modernism? (p. 11)
• 2 Searching for Utopia (p. 23)
• 3 The Machine (p. 71)
• 4 Performing Modernism (p. 113)
• 5 Building Utopia (p. 149)
• 6 Sitting on Air (p. 225)
• 7 The Healthy Body Culture (p. 249)
• 8 Film as a Modernist Art (p. 297)
• 9 Modernism and Nature (p. 311)
• 10 National Modernisms (p. 341)
• 11 Mass-Market Modernism (p. 375)
• Notes (p. 415)
• Bibliography (p. 429)
• Picture Credits (p. 437)
• Index (p. 439)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Wilk (V & A) assembled this fascinating exhibition defining changes in attitude toward divergent physical forms--visual, tactile, aural. The most striking feature is the important Russian and Italian contributions. The exhibition motifs and themes begin with Wilk's excellent essay on defining modernism, followed by a superb essay by Christina Lodder (Univ. of St. Andrews) stressing the search for Utopia, particularly in Russia; a major essay on the machine by Christopher Green (Courtauld Institute); and one of the most important essays on architecture, the heart of the exhibition and catalog, including photographs, drawings, models, and films on a wide variety of houses and buildings, by Tim Benton (Open Univ.). Another essay by Wilk treats cantilevered chairs by numerous architects. There is a fascinating, unexpected section on performing modernism, including theaters, costumes, and dancers (unusual subjects), by Tag Gronberg (Birkbeck College). Less obvious, but equally fascinating, is Wilk's "Health and Body Culture," with muscular figures with Nazi fitness overtones. Ian Christie (Birkbeck College) writes on film, Tim Benton on nature (Frank Lloyd Wright and Alvar Aalto), and David Crawley (Royal College of Art) on Nationalism. The interesting but somewhat less important "Mass Market Modernism," by Christie, concludes the volume. The illustrations, including films, define this diverse subject. A first-rate publication. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. General readers; upper-division undergraduates through faculty. T. J. McCormick emeritus, Wheaton College (MA)