Modernity is the transient, the fleeting, the contingent; it is one half of art, the other being the eternal

and the immovable.

Charles Baudelaire

Baudelaire and Modernity: An Essay by Rachel Conrad

Charles Baudelaires famous quote about art and modernity is more profoundly true the more that one examines it. After close observation, one realizes that firstly, Baudelaire is arguing that modernity is not lasting. It goes from one stage to another, and it disappears and reappears in a different form regularly. Secondly, he is saying that art (the subject of the quote) is made up of two halves. One half of art is this ever-changing modernity. Art is often a reflection of society and the modern day, so therefore the art of a certain time is representing the current characteristics of modernity. The other half is the eternal and the immoveable; what is constant in life. As Walter Benjamin, a German-Jewish philosopher who spent many long hours interpreting and analyzing the works of Baudelaire, appears to believe, the sentiment that emanates from this quote is concern that the aesthetic, materialistic

obsession that comes with modernity is overshadowing the more valuable eternal emotions and truths of existence. Art is the expression of mankind. Whether it is dance, drawing, music, sculpture, or any of the numerous forms of expression, it portrays both the spirit of the modern times, and eternal aspects of nature and humanity. Imagine a picture of a sixties era woman holding a war protest sign, and dressed in typical bright colored clothing. Imagine her looking angry, and determined. Out of this picture, come the two parts of art. Modernity is seen by the political activism, and the style. The eternal and immoveable is seen through the womans determination, and anger. These two emotions are part of human nature, and are always present. Walter Benjamin interprets Baudelaires modernity as a, fatally foundering, doomed ight toward the ideal. As seen in Baudelaires quote, modernity is ever changing, and therefore in a constant push towards the ideal, that will never quite reach its goal. Benjamin describes the negatives of modernity that he sees in this

quote. The words eternal, and immoveable, which are much more powerful than transient, fleeting, and contingent, stand out as deep and important. Baudelaire contrasts the dull, aesthetic quality of modernity in comparison to eternal truths, spirituality, and emotions. Baudelaire may have been concerned that the seducing commodities of modernity might replace or at least dampen the spiritual, eternal emotional value of life. Baudelaire is indeed known as a modernity figure. Although he harbored skepticism and concern about modernity, he did think that it had a place in the world. He reflected modernity in his poetry and writings, but always made sure to keep as his focus the more important eternal, immoveable truths.

Sources: http://www.hup.harvard.edu/pdf/BENWRI_excerpt.pdf http://fs.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/62/1/90 http://www.veinotte.com/baudelaire/analysis.htm