Modernity Australia

Written by Sophie van der Linden

Victory for African customary law over Western modernity “Warriors of the . . . tribe, imposing symbols of a nomadic culture . . . are caught between tradition and modernity” (Sheila Rule) nytimes.com/1987/05/16/world/kenyan-courtrules- tribe-not-widow-can-bury-a-lawyer.html

Modernism provided Australia with a new direction, overcoming the past in favor of the establishment of a new Australian identity. Modernism allowed a persistent optimism to prevail in the aftermath of World War I and the following five decades containing war, economic downfall and extreme change in science and technology.

War-refugees, expatriates, the growing ease of travel, communication and media circulation saw Modernism logically and liberally arrive in Australia mid-1910.

Aspects of day-to-day life first exhibited modernism, predominantly in retail and consumerism. It faced a gritty resistance from the traditionally minded, formal cultural institutions in its early stages, being welcomed later into the 50’s and 60’s, when the traditional conventions gave way to its artistic potentials. Jeff Carter’s photograph “At the Pasha Nightclub” demonstrates a departure from traditionally accepted subject matter and the later acceptance of modernity in the art sphere.

Designers, modern artists and architects steered the development toward a modern Australia. Breaking from tradition, modernism opted for aesthetic ideals of color, line, form and style. This resulted in new epitomes in fashion, beach-wear, architecture and ultimately, way of life. The modernist gaze resonated through society- the image of the home, city and individual undergoing rapid and exciting movements.

City environments were restructured and spaces opened up for new forms of activity and social experiences. High-rise buildings, milk-bars and night-clubs emerged along with a new acceptability and freedom in the pursuit of leisure, fun and social activity. The frenzy of cosmopolitan life was romanticized epically again demonstrated in Jeff Carter’s photograph. Public swimming pools and beaches resulted in new Australian pursuits of fitness, health, body image and sun-worship.

Consequentially societal barriers between gender and social class decreased enabling a more inclusive public life for Australians to constitute and direct their own image, no longer entrenched in traditional, rural and colonial relations.