Expressionist Models in Interwar Romania

Abstract

The idea of a ‘German model’ or ‘French model’ in avant-garde history can be connected to virtual maps of movements such as Expressionism or Constructivism on the one hand and Surrealism on the other. While Expressionism and Constructivism (connected to the Bauhaus project) were largely influential in countries where irradiations from Berlin became important, Surrealism enjoyed more success in cultures where Paris was considered to be the most important artistic center. These were never exclusive influences, however, Romania representing a complex cultural landscape in this sense. Through the case study of the avant-garde and more specifically of Expressionism, the author reflects on the relevance of discussing the presence of the German model in the Romanian avantgarde, arguing that by opening up Romanian literature towards extraterritorial, multilingual, minority variants, the idea of cultural transfers becomes even more relevant for the field. Through discussing the works of Hungarian minority authors in Romania, the article identifies transitional forms that negotiate between modernist and avant-garde, French and German cultural models, urban and rural topics, rațional and instinctive approaches.