Modernism

At a Los Angeles Philharmonic concert a few years ago, there was a “new music” selection, one receiving its premier that night. Not bad, really, but didn’t seem very new - not a lot different from the “modern” music in a 1983 Music Appreciation class. Inspired the thought “Why does all this so-called modern music sound 60 years old?”

Anyone paying attention here, of course, is going to know why. Or have their suspicions, anyway. Like, “Radical ideas were proposed in reaction to the post-war High, and haven’t been revisited since.” (Or at least not newly radical enough to matter...)

Which is all a response to a Los Angeles Times gallery of television consoles which, despite being described as appropriate for an “update” to one’s current setup. mostly look like they’re from the 1960s.  Not all of them, I suppose, but the second one is tagged in my mind as “Don Draper’s filing cabinet,” followed by “Don Draper’s Manhattan apartment’s stereo cabinet,” and (after skipping the Arts & Crafts inspired/Progressive era update) “Don Draper’s office sideboard and liquor cabinet.” (Although Don and his friends really have more of a cart than a cabinet in their offices.)

It’s like seeing houses listed as “Mid-century Modern,” being as that’s Mid-LAST-Century, post-war reactions to conformity and safe choices. Or so I’ve heard. It seems so conformist and safe itself, smooth, simple ... intentionally soulless. Presumably in contrast to frilly Victorian, naturalist Craftsman, Colonial Revival with white picket fencing. Sixty years later, it seems perfectly suited to be the inspiration for the next wave of reactions. The ones which can be expected by 2030 or so, if they haven't started already.