The Originality of the Avant-Garde and Other Modernist Myths

"The Originality of the Avant-Garde and Other Modernist Myths" by Peter Bürger challenges the idea that modernist art, especially avant-garde movements, was purely about individual innovation and breaking tradition. Bürger argues that these movements were largely informed by existing social and political contexts, such as working-class struggles, rather than purely personal creativity. The book emphasizes that avant-garde art was a response to societal issues, aiming to transform art’s role within these contexts, rather than merely asserting originality for its own sake. It redefines modernist myths by highlighting their social and political roots rather than viewing them solely as radical artistic breakthroughs.