SC+2015+Absurdism

Zeke: Historical Antonio: audience Culture: Ethan Aim: Lorenzo

Historical: Zekeriya Efe Visual: Term: Absurdism

The genesis of absurdism took place during the 19th century in the work of the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. Søren developed and wrote about his own existential philosophy based around Christianity and addressed the nature in which humans confront absurdity, which was revolutionary at the time “His peculiar authorship comprises a baffling array of different narrative points of view and disciplinary subject matter, including aesthetic novels, works of psychology and Christian dogmatics, satirical prefaces, philosophical "scraps" and "postscripts," literary reviews, edifying discourses, Christian polemics, and retrospective self-interpretations” (McDonald). The advent of absurdism was from the European existential movement at the time. During this time authors like Albert Camus were breaking new ground by rejecting the traditional philosophical lines of thought. This new movement maintained a relative popularity until the mid 1900’s where it really broke through. Absurdism became even more popular in the aftermath of World War II, which provided a social environment that was more accepting of radical philosophy such as existentialism and absurdism, specifically in the more war-torn countries. This was also the time in which the ideals absurdism started to spread to more mediums than writing. the 1940’s saw a large influx of absurdist art which usually revolved around political turmoil, social upheaval, and scientific breakthrough. Absurdism was at an all time high in places like America and large portions of europe due to the recent war, as many people were now looking for meaning in life. The sheer popularity of absurdism dipped down during the 1960’s and 70’s, substituted with new movements and philosophies that highlighted the Cold War and Vietnam War. However, it was during this time that the genesis of the ‘Theatre of the Absurd’ took place, which was the use of absurdity in plays. Absurdity has been adapted into several films, but that medium was never fully explored, and the overall popularity of absurdity and existentialism in culture died down. To this day absurdity is still utilized by artists and writers everywhere, just in much smaller quantities.

Works Cited:

Bolick, Elizabeth L. Absurdism in Post-Modern Art: Examining the Interplay between "Waiting for Godot" and "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close". Student Pulse, 2009. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.

McDonald, William. Søren Kierkegaard 1813—1855. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, web. 24 Nov. 2015.

Audience: Antonio Lamb

Visual: Term: Absurdism The main audience for this artform are people who are open to the absurde. The official definition as shown here “a philosophy based on the belief that the universe is irrational and meaningless and that the search for order brings the individual into conflict with the universe” (Merriam Webster). It give the audience a sense of overall confusion breaking down what people normally think. This idea also makes the audience question the normal as well as think how what they should think. It also conflicts with the idea of how they perceive ideals and the idea of themselves. It also makes the audience feel a sense of nothingness as well as everything means nothing and stuff just happens and it's fully irrational. It also makes people just feel odd and has a feeling that something is not right and is thought provoking. It makes people rethink the meaning of life and how people's standings and where they stand.

Works Cited: “Absurdism.” Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam Webster, 2015. Web. 23 Nov. 2015. Absurdism. Philosophy Index. web. 23 Nov. 2015.

Culture: Ethan Eagerton Visual: Term: Absurdism The modern cultural impact of Absurdism is that it impacts art, popular culture and theater. In a web post it states “These writers wanted to challenge theatre and challenge its audience. In Ionesco’s play, The Bald Soprano, he takes on theatre form and how people expect a play to be written. He was trying to show that the accepted form of writing was not the only form”(YoExpert). Absurdism tries to take a different view at things. The views are mostly portrayed through art work and plays. Absurdism has essentially impacted anyone who has decided to make absurdist art or a absurdist play. Two examples of absurdist movies are The Big Lebowski and Straight to hell. There have not been very many absurdist movies recently but there is lots of absurdist artworks in modern day art. Artist may not have have the intent of making a absurdist art piece but they still might because they leave it up to the interpretation of the viewer. Absurdism has mostly impacted modern art and theater as well as some movies.

Works Cited: Jordan. Modern plays versus Absurdist: Do Absurdists owe Modern playwrights?. Yo-Expert. Web. 23 Nov. 2015.

H, Kyla. Absurdism In Art. Prezi, 2014. Web. 23 Nov. 2015.

Aim: Lorenzo Sanchez Visual: Term: Absurdism Absurdism in the dictionary is,”the philosophical and literary doctrine that human beings live inessential isolation in a meaningless and irrational world”(Dictionary.com). Absurdism is pointed at the human race in a nutshell. Now in a philosophical standpoint, from an atheist view this statement is that, “people create stories, or gods, which in their minds transcend reality to fill this void and attempt to satisfy their need”(Philosophy-Index ). But absurdism can literally be used for anything that people have a view on. Throughout history, many people have done absurd things such as the Wright brothers flying a plane. People thought they were absolutely absurd for what their idea was and what they wanted to do, but in the end it was easily one of the greatest ideas of all time, so does that really make it absurd? According to some philosophers our existence of living is absurd, especially to other possible living species out there. Absurdism is aimed at all human beings and always will be, especially the ones who never “evolve” in life and don’t move forward.

Works Cited:

Absurdism. Philosophy Index. web. 23 Nov. 2015.