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Adriana Khodayari

Doctor Kelly

American Art

September 27, 2010

Weber and his view of NY

In the first decade of the twentieth century, advances in technology made of New York

one of the most active cities in the United States. Max Weber was involved in this urban life his

work reflected the speed of the journey through the city and the commotion sound of mixed

human voices moving restlessly along with trains, subways and “els” that seemed to fly over the

city. The experience of having so much technology available made the common citizen to be

forced to change their lifestyle, from a rural to an urban life in the city, then without thinking this

person loses his identity and he becomes a new piece just another number, product of the

technology.

Max Weber became aware of these changes; by 1912 he started using a series of themes

based on the urban matters’: like department stores, athletic competitions, music and dance,

restaurants, skyscrapers, bridges, subways, train stations to which he added the noise and sounds

of daily life. Weber is considered the first American artist to develop in purely modern art. In

1909, Weber traveled to Europe, where he met Picasso, Rousseau, Delaunay, he studied at a

school where Matisse was the teacher. Then when he returned to the United States, bringing with

him an eclectic mix of Cubism, Futurism among other styles learned back in the almighty

Europe. The predominant style which had a great influence on Weber was the Futurism

especially if he wanted to represent the speed, sounds, moving lights, people walking and

talking; while he adopts Cubism for skyscrapers, trees, stress, meanwhile visual textures were

apply on the canvas, parallel lines, circles, transparencies, check board textures among others.
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However the Futurist trend was predominant. Historically Cubism drift from Futurist then Weber

combined these two styles at the same time giving to the painting a fair balance. One of his

painting, called "Rush Hour" from 1915 which caused great impact on the viewers, because the

common American had the habit to see art as a narrative story, so people did not like it and some

others just did not get it. Futurist artists were not invited to the Armory Show, probably because

they did not accept, but somehow Weber embodied for the first time in American soil futuristic

forms of modern art.

In Weber’s "Rush Hour" and "Grand Central" he still was looking for the motion, the

flurry of the city. "Rush Hour", however, is a more abstract painting while in “Grand Central"

where we can recognize shapes and space. So for example, he represents the arches of the train

station which they look in motion, while some diagonal lines are intermixed with an ostensible

speed and motion. Weber colors were dark burnt some grays which differs from the futuristic

technique. While in “Rush Hour” colors are more into the Futuristic trend. In these two works,

his futuristic trade mark is, the kinetic sensation is what stands out. But unlike Futurist who

seemed to destroy with technology, Weber sees in the bustle of the city and a machine full of life

and vigor. The sky is integrated with the city, sensations such as sounds, smoke machines mixed

with the smell of Chinese food and the chatter of people that never sleeps.

Weber managed to reach the city subjectivity’s urban life in a lively and non-destructive

dynamism, modernity is optimistic and restless nature of the human race. Beyond the dilemma of

art historians, based on Weber’s style Futurist or Cubism He premonitory the future, which is

today happening in New York. The brand, the origin of the city was based from the outset in the

movement and with even with more advances in urban transportation, which is still is the heart

force today over hundred years later.