modern - modernity - modernism - modern architecture

The best i could understand the meaning of modern, modernity, modernism, modernization was from book by Marshall Berman - "All That is Solid Melts into Air - The experience of modernity"

modern - modernity

have tried explaining that there's exist a difference between the two terms - modern and modernity but still they are integrated with each other. 

The condition of being modern - II

Taking the second point from the previous post – Conception of Universal History.

The word Universal in itself gives us a hint of being one. 19th century German philosopher G W F Hegel created a conceptual framework in which past and future events could be philosophically understood. Hegel tried to show that history contains a linear pattern and gives it the name of universal history saying history of mankind is one. For this we need to understand the philosophy of history as conceptualized by Hegel, which speaks about a rational process underlying the history. According to him there is a reason / logic behind everything by which all reality has its being. He considers reality as the whole or Absolute and history is in which this absolute unfolds itself to the consciousness of humanity. In the Hegelian system of Universal History, the final stage is constantly evolving.

“Each of the events is a necessary stage in the development of the whole truth. Reason tries to work out through human beings in the form of passion and desires to fulfill its ultimate goal in history.” (Lavine T.Z) Here the ultimate goal in history is linked with the idea of progress.

The conception of history in form of a linear narrative has been problematic. “The structuring of history according to the linear time frame makes sometimes civilizations to appear and disappear and to move from margin to centre or vice versa according to the identity of viewpoint of the speaker (author).” (Robert S.Nelson) This leads to “marginalization” of most of the developments, which then remain outside the scope of history.

For understanding the concept of marginalization one can read the article – The Map of Art History by Robert S. Nelson

The condition of being modern - I

As one browses through pages of history, a point truly comes where commencement of modern period can be marked. This condition of being modern lies in the wad of 18th century thought process. (European context) Most important layer being knowledge based on critical reasoning which led to progress in all aspects of human understanding, science and technology. It is based on this characteristic that we can distinguish modern period from earlier eras.

According to Marshall Berman, “what make all these changes distinctively modern are not the inventions themselves, but a process of incessant enquiry, discovery and innovation, and a shared determination to transform theory into practice, to use all we know to change the world.”

Talking about changes, two things were major

a. critical reasoning

b. conception of universal history

For this one can go through readings by Immanuel Kant, Cassirer E, and G W F Hegel on enlightenment and philosophy of history. Let us talk about critical reasoning. First what does ‘critical’ in ‘critical thinking’ means?Using our cognitive faculties and knowledge, we have acquired till yet to understand the circumstances in front of us. This calls us to be self-analytical or self conscious before conforming, even to any factual information.

During the 18th century, main fundamental principle was to combine knowledge based on reason (experimentation) and experience. We can say combining the empirical and rational thinking. It was proved during this century that one should keep on analysing data till we get to the simplest component and have a reason behind every belief.

Enlightenment thinkers were asking people to critically judge themselves in all phases of life. Immanuel Kant marked this phase as beginning of modernity or ‘break from the past’ which is based on reasoning and analysis. Having a self conscious nature (or reflexive) gets interconnected with term modern – not accepting anything with blind faith. It was because authoritative institutions like church and nobility were questioned, that new foundations based on the concept of nation state could be laid.

the term 'modern'

Being modern has been always considered an integral part of city life. What does strike in your mind first when the term ‘modern’ is flashed. Maybe it is the latest set of gadgets – latest trends in fashion – or the upcoming modes of transport. In all of these options, we are thinking about something which is ‘latest’ or ‘changing’. As soon as any new theory comes which is , that becomes modern. So ‘transient character’ can be linked to condition of being modern. This was a general thinking pattern from the second half of 18th century.


There have been other meaning attached to the word in past also. The term modern has been applied as long as back from Middle Ages having the meaning the one which was current. E.g. the present ruling class

A second meaning of the word is ‘new’ as opposed to which is different from the old. Here the term modern was used to describe a present time which could be experienced having certain specific features that distinguishes it from earlier periods. It was in this sense of term which prevailed during the 17th century.

Modernity is nothing but the ‘condition of being modern’ . "The current, new and the transient – all three levels of meaning are important as they are ascribed to the present in the concept of modernity.  It is this condition which gives present a specific quality , makes it different from the past and points the way towards future." ( Hilde Heynen)

modern / modernity / modernism / modernisation

In my previous posts, I have tried showing the link between the idea of modernity and questioning of identity. For people who aren’t much acquainted with this concept, a lot of questions must be popping in their head about the term modernity itself.

The term in itself encompasses a broad spectrum of issues, which led to its generation around 200 yrs back. In all this discussion, I want to emphasize on the fact that we all need to keep in our heads the difference between modern, modernity, modern architecture, and modernisation, Modernism with a big M and modernism with a small m. In the starting of my research even I was very confused but as one goes through facts, it becomes clear. All these words would seem to have a similar stem note.

Let us start with the word modern.

Before starting the seminar, my guide Jaideep Chaterjee ( see figure ) had raised questions – when do we call ourselves modern? Is their any time and place we can locate ourselves in?

After going through number of readings on modernity, philosophy of history, enlightenment etc by Immanuel Kant, Marshall Berman, Anthony Giddens and number of other eminent writers, I was able to answer this question to myself more clearly in dissertation and also with reference to context of Indian architectural history. I will discuss about above mentioned in next post.

NOTIONS OF IDENTITY - TRADITIONAL VS MODERN

- explanation with reference to ideas of douglas kellner - Article - "Popular Culture and Construction of Postmodern Identities"

As already discussed in post 3, in traditional societies or let’s say pre-modern society’s issue of identity was not subjected to so much reflection. It was relatively fixed and subject to limits of thought and behaviour based on traditional system of myths.

Now when does the question of reflection comes? It comes when you have something to compare yourself with. Everyone has the right to choose, but it’s only possible when you have options. The availability of options comes from the fact how broad your horizon is.

With the modern innovations and discoveries (e.g mass media) horizon for an individual really got expanded. In the words of Douglas Kellner, “In modernity, identity becomes more mobile, multiple, personal, self – reflexive, and subject to change and innovation. Yet identity in modernity is also social and Other – related.”

Taking an example, one is a mother, son, Indian, Asian, a professor, a politician a priest – or rather a combination of these social roles and possibilities. So, in the modern condition also, identities are relatively fixed and limited, but boundaries of possible new identities or probable ones are continually expanding. Here comes the difference between premodern/ modern societies.

For the second point, identity being social and other- related, we need to focus on the point that the modern self is undergoing through constant ever changing experiences. Like a traditional society, modern society also has a structure based on norms and customs though in overall it  forms a very complex web.

Now for a person to choose one’s identity from this complex web of possible identities , he/ she needs to appropriate and reproduce it in order to gain recognition This process of mutual recognition is complex as one’s identity is depended on other for recognition after which it undergoes self – validation to assume a stable, recognized identity.

Explanations forming the core of how we look at ourselves and how others look at us tend to be hidden under years and years of our social training and conditioning.

Who's who?

During the 16th and 17th century, decision of the church was taken supreme as well as the knowledge based on experience. With the progress to 18th century, the funda became of combining experience plus experimentation. It became important to break down things to simpler facts with a reason behind every event.
The 18th century came to be known as the age of enlightenment that advocated the use of reason in the re-evaluation of accepted ideas and social institutions. This particular time period is marked as beginning of modernity (condition of being modern) or as Immanuel Kant calls ‘a break from the past’.

The way knowledge was acquired formed an important characteristic for condition of being modern. It puts us in a state of continual analysis of circumstances and fact finding based on pattern of science.

With more and more influx of knowledge, and ability to collect and store every bit of knowledge in form other than written created possibility of higher level of reflexivity.

The concept of reflexivity can be defined as a cyclic process of reflection of thought and action on to each other, for one to justify the other according to Anthony Giddens analysis of modernity. As a result of this, truth of today may not be the truth of tomorrow. Reacting to all this, a modern society experiences change at a very rapid rate which brings in the character of uncertainty/ impermanence.

This change/ uncertainty brought in by modern life makes the issue of identity so important.

Uncertainty, Change and Identity

From where does the question of identity arise? Why the term in itself is so important?

Who are we? There can be innumerable ways to answer this question. In the present scenario of societal framework, there are multiple roles that we play. Comparing ourselves with traditional societies, earlier identity was a function of pre defined social roles. It was uncomplicated, fixed and not open to so much discussion. As the societal contact was limited, question of defining oneself didn’t come so much to the forefront.

It becomes clear from the statement of Douglas Kellner – “In pre-modern society one was born and died a member of one’s clan, a member of fixed kinship system, and a member of one’s tribe or group with one’s life trajectory fixed in advance. Individuals did not undergo identity crises, or radically modify their identity. One was a hunter and a member of tribe and that was that.”

As the social contact began to expand or in other words as the world started on it’s journey of becoming a global village is when questioning of identity began to be so important. With change and uncertainty brought in by modern life, people began to self question about themselves and their position with respect to world and others. There is a definite connection between the characteristics of modern life and questioning of identity. Also how characteristic of uncertainty is related to being modern. I would like to share about this in my next post.

My name is khan - Identity Crisis

Should I call this world urban / chaotic / global? Whatever adjective I add, the situation of uncertainty never changes. Amidst this constant twirling of things, the process of self – realization or self validation continues with underlying question of identity.

 

Here I think it is important to ask about the question of identity. Why is it important to define who we are? Why process of recognition becomes important for the affirmative path to progress? Here I am not bringing the question of architecture though representation, identity form a significant element. Here the concept of identity itself becomes important. I would like to start discussing about it from my next post according to my frame of understanding and then bring in the question of architecture.

A Step beyond Bricks

My journey as a human being gained more importance , the moment i was absorbed into the architectural realm. Insightful journey through various habitats, stories behind each and every stone of monuments, strengthening role of designer in soceital framework are just few of the examples to be given forming my basis of learning.

Through all these experiences, i have understood how the terms history, theory , representation, identity form an important part of architecture. Life is neither inside nor outside the text but in the middle realm where merging the both increases feasibility of ideas. Through this blog i want to share my ideas and opinion about architecture, identity, etc

...................................................................just a noble cause of  writing  and sharing with the world whilst nourishing my and other people thoughts as well  .........................................................................................