Theories of Existentialism and its Reflection on Modern Sculpture

Abstract

Abstract

Existentialism is a modern philosophical trend and one of the most influential trends in modern art in general and in Fine Arts in particular. Artists embrace the tenets of existentialism and employ them in artistic productions that confirm how slippery, emotional depraved and contemptible the human self can be, as well as the idea of nothingness and death that has haunted the individual affected by global wars, such as the First and Second World Wars. The harsh experiences in the modern world was combined with a loss of freedom that led the individual to reach a state of despair as he can’t choose his own destiny. Existentialism came as a reaction to all of this, trying to elevate the individual self and emphasize its right forfreedom. In this research we will discuss the most important premises of existentialism and its impact on the arts, especially on modern sculpture. This research consists of a brief introduction and four sections. The first sections explores the most important sources that influenced existentialism. The second deals with existential thinkers and some of their philosophical theories. The third section, emphasizes the impact of existentialism and its bases in modernity. The fourth and last section presents the findings and conclusions reached in this research, followed by the list of sources used in this research.