Modern Tendency c. 1925

James Blanding Sloan’s woodcut, "Modern Tendency", presents us with a stark tableau of the Jazz Age through symbolic figures and motifs. Dominating the scene are the words "Theatre", "Cafe", "Jazz" and "Movies", hinting at the burgeoning entertainment culture of the early 20th century. The androgynous figures evoke both freedom and alienation. The woman, draped in what looks like a wedding veil, appears to be dancing. The male figure is rigid in his posture. Both allude to a society in transition, oscillating between tradition and modernity. Notice the star above "Theatre" and the crescent moon near the woman's head. Stars often symbolize guidance and destiny, while the moon is cyclical. The presence of both speaks to a longing for direction amid a sea of change. The rigid geometry and sharp lines of the figures lend the work a sense of unease. The artist grapples with modern life, suggesting that the relentless pursuit of entertainment and novelty may come at the cost of something deeper, something human. This is how the spirit of an era resurfaces, and evolves, in art.