Pictures
American modernised artistically and culturally in the United States in the 20th century. The idea that people could define themselves through their own ideas and create their own vision of existence without help from others, or tradition is a large trend. It includes visual art, literature, music, film, design, architecture as well as lifestyle. Art was not only to be dealt with in academies, theaters or concert halls, but to be included in everyday life and accessible for everybody. One reason why art and literature modernized during this time was due to artists were beginning to become inspired by African, Caribbean, Asian and European folk cultures and embedded these exotic styles in their works. However during this time social boundaries in race, class, sex, wealth, and religion are all being challenged. This put struggles into how people expressed themselves through their art. Early in the 20th century, jazz evolved from the blues tradition, but also incorporated many other musical and cultural elements. Jazz is a central element of American culture because it has its roots in Black slave culture. This caused different racial groups and classes to be able to have things income and be seen together. Art and literature during the 1920’s was a considerable factor for why America began to become modernized .