Gutai as critique of the traditional concept of Modernism - Research Paper Example

This damage and destruction took place in the course of centuries and it was described as the beauty of decay. I believe this concept is valid in many people’s imaginations today and by looking into the artworks of the Gutai movements it becomes evident this technique expressed the true art. In the modern art world, it seems to be very difficult to understand the relationship between society and art. Gutai was one of the movements that took place in Japan after the post-war chaotic situation.

This movement had specific intentions and purposes which is why it is the most important art movement of this time. This art movement has many characteristics which make it relevant in the media art today. ‘Electric Dress’ was a work by Tanaka which helps in examining and understanding the current media art in Japan (Berghuis 21). The work of Tanaka was remarkable and revolutionary which still holds importance. It was in 1945 after the World War II that the Japanese society had come under desperation and chaos.

It was then when the artists tried to bring a revolutionary movement which would promote different art works and activities to make a new world. Yoshihara declared that the liberal position of the people was the most important thing which was conveyed through the medium of art. The liberal position of the people who were currently living in the desperation and chaotic time was focused because they believed that the freedom is the main source for human development. The art movement described the position of the people as free.

Thus, the main idea behind this movement was to bring out the reality of the society and overcome the situation (Tiampo 84). Tanaka was an artist involved in the Gutai movement and she produced the ‘Electric Dress’ which was stage clothes. The concept was that she changed her clothes frequently during the performance and the colours of the dress were bright and blinking from the electric light bulbs. This showed the attractive beauty from the light bulbs which the human hand could not create.

This was the time after which the stage performances became more attractive and pleasing to the audience’s view. Tanaka worked with bringing the newest technology to application by experimenting and using the electric media to promote her artistic work. Her work and skill leaves a huge impression on the Western arts and to the modern arts. However, despite such efforts, Tanaka did not receive appreciation by the Japanese art scene because of her highly skilful work for the newly started art movement.

I believe that Tanaka’s efforts left a mark on the art world and even though it was later recognized and encouraged, initially it was seen as a threat to the traditional modernization. The Gutai movement had new and different ideas because all the members of the movement were young artists, who were raised under traditional values of religion and spiritual importance. These artists knew the artistic traditions of Japan but through this movement they decided to completely overrule the past attempts and approaches.

Their vision towards this movement was rather different. They aimed to create a relationship between art, body, space and time. The Gutai movement was a revolutionary movement and it started in Japan almost ten years after the World War II had ended. The roots of the Gutai movement