This week in class we were introduced to the ideas of modernism and post modernism. Both terms define certain time periods; however, distinguishing when these periods begin and end is a challenge. It is impossible to pin point a specific date in which a way of thinking changed. As a result, instead of looking at exact dates, Professor Cummings encouraged our class to identify specific events that could have changed the way a culture thought such as: the Civil Rights Movement, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and September 11th 2001. While discussing time periods and cultural change the word aura arose. I really like the idea that each time period is an aura not an era, because era is confined to time but an aura is a feeling, sensation, or atmosphere that can reappear. In Charles Baudelaire’s The Painter of Modern Life, he explores the idea of aura. When speaking of fashion plates Baudelaire states, “I am happy to find in all, or almost all of them, is the moral and aesthetic feeling of their time” (Baudelaire, 2). Fashion is a form of expression, and very much defines a culture. You can witness fashion shaping and defining culture on a small scale from decade to decade. The eighties are known for neon, the fifties are known for poodle skirts, and the sixties are strongly identified with tie dye. When critically analyzing a culture, attire is a relevant factor. Rich made a good observation when he described ways of thought as reoccurring. Continuing with my fashion example, fashions reoccur continuously throughout decades. Recently, the styles of the eighties have been reiterated into our mainstream culture. Though this is small scale, and in class we are looking at a much larger scope of time, it is a good metaphor for the ideas we talk about in class. The idea of reoccurring further cements the description of time periods as auras not eras. Eras are locked into place but auras are moving.
I have neither given nor received aid on this blog… Kelsey Hughes
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