BBC Radio 4 LW

In Our Time

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideas, people and events that have shaped our world.

In Our Time: The Avant Garde's Decline and Fall in the 20th Century

25/02/1999

The Avant Garde's Decline and Fall in the 20th Century

BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, The Avant Garde's Decline and Fall in the 20th Century

Melvyn Bragg examines the history and legacy of 20th Century Avant Garde painting.

Melvyn Bragg examines the social and aesthetic impact of the Avant Garde and discusses whether it has failed in making painting relevant in the 20th century.

Melvyn Bragg examines the social and aesthetic impact of the Avant Garde and discusses whether it has failed in making painting relevant in the 20th century.Avant-garde is in the dictionary as 'anything that is in the forefront of new developments in their media'. Jackson Pollack in the 1960s was seen as one of the leaders of Avant Garde painting. But for the Marxist historian Eric Hobsbawm, Jackson Pollack is merely  representative of the uncertainty which has plagued  the Avant Garde visual arts movements in the twentieth century, and  which has led to paintings' ultimate demise and lack of relevance in the modern age. With Professor Eric Hobsbawm, eminent historian and author of Behind The Times: The Decline and Fall of the Twentieth Century Avant-Gardes; Frances Morris, specialist in contemporary art and Art Programme Curator for the Tate Gallery of Modern Art.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Woman's Hour

Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.

Woman's Hour: Nora Ephron

Nora Ephron

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Nora Ephron

Nora Ephron on her film You’ve Got Mail and the inspiration for her book Heartburn.

Director and author Nora Ephron on her film You’ve Got Mail and the inspiration for her book Heartburn.

Director and author Nora Ephron on her film You’ve Got Mail and the inspiration for her book Heartburn.
 
It was only in the late 19th century that bags became fashion accessories. Anthea Jarvis, the curator for the Gallery of English Costumes discusses the history of handbags from pocket books to life support systems.

The 1997 Ramsbottom report stated that community prisons and fewer custodial sentences would aid reformation of the female prison system in England. Why has this advice been ignored? Helen Edwards, Chief Executive of National Offender Management Service, and Lord Williams, home office minister discuss the problem of female custodial sentences. 

Marjorie Lacey and Sofia are 105 and 101 respectively. The sisters, who have seen the whole of the last century, recall some defining moments of their lives.

What is good science and what is bad science? Are women more conscience of their results? Dr Sheila Ochugboju and sociologist Hilary Rose consider how women tackle scientific research.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

In Our Time

The Avant Garde's Decline and Fall in the 20th Century

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4

About this data