Modernism and Mimesis

Modernist art is redefined as interconnected across fiction, painting, music, and poetry, challenging the notion that it rejects mimesis. The author argues that modernism embraces a nuanced understanding of representation, emphasizing simplicity and accessibility over elitism. Naïveté emerges as a vital artistic principle, promoting a healing of the divide between subject and object. By framing mimesis as a means of transforming representation into play and festivity, this work offers a fresh perspective on modernist achievements and their cultural significance.