Modern World, Modern Styles
A look at art during the 1900s
Cubism
(above) Picasso's "The Three Musicians", one of his more famous cubist works.
As you can see, Picasso rearranges 3D elements the musicians' bodies, instruments, and music to create a intricate patterns that jumble the three men into one. This could symbolize how, in an ideal musical group, the members are on the same level and function more as a collective than as individuals. The cubist style lends itself perfectly to exhibit themes of unity and cooperation, as seen in "The Three Musicians".
(Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Musicians#/media/File:Picasso_three_musicians_moma_2006.jpg)
Abstract Art
(above) Paul Klee's "Ad Parnassum"
In this work, Klee combines black lines, a load of intertwining colors, and simple shapes to create a house with what might be a rising sun in the background. While the viewer can determine that what's shown is a house, it's difficult to identify this picture's subject matter. This work could represent a whole bunch of things, such as the hope associated with morning, the simple beauty one can see in a building, or how a house can be multiplex based on those who live in it. Klee leaves the interpretation up to the audience, further embodying the style of abstract art.
(Link: http://www.wikiart.org/en/paul-klee/to-the-parnassus-1932)
Dada
(above) Max Ernst's appropriately-titled "Dadaville"
With the dark colors and eerie image in this work, it's clear how pieces such as this shocked the middle class. The idea here is that all of civilization and humanity is gone, being replaced by anarchy and barbarity. The dark colors represent this savagery, while the city shape shows the last remnants of civilization. The fact that there aren't any people depicted may mean that the transfer from a civilized town to this "Dadaville" has caused the demise of all those living in the area; with this in mind, this painting might have an under-the-surface message about anarchy's deceitful appeal.
Surrealism
(above) Salvador Dali's surreal "The Elephants"
With surrealism, one question for artists was "How wild can you get?" Certainly, Dali did not disappoint with this work, distorting the title elephants so much that they are unrecognizable at first glance. Nonetheless, one can't deny that the fantastic scene depicted has captured the workings of the subconscious mind. It may be based on reality, but by putting a surreal spin on this picture, Dali creates something that wouldn't be extraordinary in the id.
(Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elephants#/media/File:Dali_Elephants.jpg)
Architecture
(above) a photograph of Frank Lloyd Wright's "Falling Water"
Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the most acclaimed American architects, and this is probably his most famous work--and one that effectively shows the new styles of architecture invented in the early 1900s. Lloyd Wright uses materials to fit the environment: for example, the house has a stone and metallic foundation with slabs of mineral to create levels. Notice also how the building doesn't have many decorations. The Bauhaus style of architect didn't really call for ornamentation, and the beauty of a building came from its scientific, clean-cut design.
(Link: http://interactive.wttw.com/tenbuildings/fallingwater)