Looking Forward
Revisiting the promises of modernism
Revisiting the promises of modernism
Childcraft. Depicting various parts of then-contemporary American society, it explained in no uncertain terms that these were simply the way things worked, that the new ways were better, and that we were fortunate indeed to be the recipients of such technological and consumerist wonders. The simple style of photographs, illustrations, and diagrams all reinforced this message.
In reconsidering such books, I think they highlight the gap between the promises of modernism and its failures in practice. Science and technology promised the perfection of society and the fulfillment of human needs, but all they ended up doing was enabling new forms of waste and excess. Ironically, the scientific techniques we all hoped would eliminate satisfy needs were used in the service of manufacturing new and superfluous ones. Ultimately, I don't believe the blame lies at the feet of modernism itself. I think the reason it failed was because it was caught within the confines of a narrowly consumerist economy, with the possibilities of its progress dictated by turnaround time, marketability, and planned obsolescence. The project represents a desire to reclaim these modernist ideals in the service of something better.
All illustrations and photographs licensed via Creative Commons.
