The Industrial Revolution and the Age of the Machine impacted all, especially those living in the Western World in the late 18th through the 19th centuries. The rise of city living inspired a number of artists to cast their gaze to the new urban environment composed of the new phenomena of mingling masses. Other artists were less disposed to extoll the emerging “modern” urban lifestyle and were determined to milk the country as a refuge for humankind. By the waning years of the 19th century, Berlin had closed the population gap with Paris and London. German artists, responding to their “northern” tendencies, gravitated to the darker motifs and the less savory side of modernization’s impact on daily life in the big cities. Those artists who were not inspired by the modern city and resisted the lure of increased opportunities within the “multiplicity of choice” that was the new urban environment, turned their gaze on the notion that the modern city was, in fact, not a muse at all but was proving to be quite detrimental to the mental and physical well-being of its recently transplanted citizens. Some artists felt the city had lost a key component necessary for people to live happily together. And that key component for these artists had to do with perceived balance between nature and occupant. Frank Lloyd Wright summed up this balance relationship between structure and resident in the following statement from his Autobiography published in 1932: “No house should be ever on any hill or on anything. It should be of the hill, belonging to it, so hill and house could live together each the happier for the other.” What are your thoughts on “Urban Disenchantment” and the “Country as Refuge”?
Max Beckmann, The Disillusioned, 1922
Kathe Kollwitz, Portrait Study of a Woman of the Working Class
Bellagio Gallery of Art Spring 2017 
My thoughts on Urban Disenchantment is that the artist or even the people use to have an inspiration to there own county however, that feeling is gone by the disappointment in the government. For example, how artist in that time portray the government and putting them in a uncomfortable position as an art work.
As a country refuge that person struggles with the government him or herself even as artist or any form of artistic life style.
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My thoughts on “Urban Disenchantment” and the “Country as Refuge” are that I can relate to the artists who grew less and less fond of the cities in which they were initially trying to get inspiration from, and in turn, went out into the country for “refuge.” Some people might be enchanted by the lure of the city by all of the bright lights, interesting cafes and choices of food to eat, or by the hope in being” discovered” or to discover oneself. However, to be able to enjoy those things, one must endure the realities of what makes those cities run-the sounds(noises) of the traffic or construction, the smells of the sewers and other “delightful” smells, the attitudes of the people and the anonymity of all, the governmental restrictions,etc. One could look at all of those aspects, and if it’s not worth it enough to survive in such an environment, then off to the country they go (or maybe they just are stuck on the city life, and try another city).
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I think urban disenchantment and the the country as a refuge is just a bit of fear that was speaking. There were some big downfalls to cities like people who were poor and some people who believed it to be more dangerous. It’s all about the populations mindset when it comes to “happy” living. I don’t think the country is a refuge. It might be “safe” at times, but playing it safe isn’t smart. I had a friend who lives in the country and he told me that more kids do things they shouldn’t be doing, because there’s not much to do in the country to keep them occupied. I think the beauty of a city or the beauty of a country is in the eye of the beholder. I think it’s a personal preference and that since cities have developed even more; some problems that they had when they were first developed, have been solved, and new problems still come up today. I don’t think the country is a perfect place and I wouldn’t want to live in a place where they think that they’re perfect anyways. There are always going to be all types of problems wherever you live. City or country. You can’t avoid it.
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I can see why the disenchantment; after awhile all you have are vertical buildings, commerce, and traffic and other crowding. You go into the country and you’ll pick up inspiration from the nature of things. It’s not coerced – it naturally there. If you live in the city, the country becomes an escape. You don’t have to think about your next move, you just are.
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Personally, I do find the country to be more of a refuge than the city. But I only feel this way because of I’ve lived in a city most of my life. I’m pretty sure that if I stayed in the country too long, I would want to go out to a city or small town. Even a bar would make all the difference for me. Its just a matter of preference depending on the person. I love the idea of a house being of a hill and not on the hill. Maybe this is where this feeling of disenchantment comes from. If we integrated more of our structures more within nature without damaging it, maybe we can get the best of both worlds. Maybe then we will feel balance. To see more greenery and less cement can do wonders for one person. Also, if renewable energy can be utilized, that would help even more. The air should be fresh with no smog or other forms of pollution. Hopefully, in the future, everyone will be on board with that. Its unfortunate to know that theres people out there who don’t consider things like that. Some people are built for the city. Others…not so much. Either way, what really matters is that we live our lives fully, no matter where we end up.
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Organisms are inseparable from their environment. As organisms we are inseparable from our environment. To be anywhere else, in the temporal and physical sense, but the present can be detrimental to ones well being. An understanding and acceptance of what is allows for relief of expectations. Pressure and stress comes when we attempt to stray from this notion. With any system, as it fills and floods, an escape and diffusion is sure to follow, in a continuous, stubborn cycle in search of balance.
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In a big city, it is easy to feel lost in the chaos and lose a sense of self. This is why running away to the country becomes so necessary for some individuals. What these people tend to realize though is, you can’t run away from your problems. Sure, you can change scenery and temporarily forget they exist, but you eventually must confront them. The city may overwhelm some people, but there are definitely still ways to work through the loud and hectic nature. For example, in the city of Las Vegas there are many bars and partying is practically inevitable. But, each individual has the choice to partake in these activities when they are in the confinement of their own home. We can’t always choose who surrounds us in public, but we do have the choice of who influences us in our own home.
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In my point of view, “Urban Disenchantment” and the “Country as Refuge” is the aspect where people are showing their fear in society and also trying to find a hope where they could be in safe. Country is the place where people could live quietly and people wouldn’t be notice. In the opposite, the urban is the place where people get effect by the government and according to how the government would decided. Influence is very strong in the urban city while the country is quiet but peaceful as they don’t influence that much.
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There needs to be balance between nature and the urban environment, or that sense of disenchantment in our lives will be present. I prefer the city, but there are plenty of times where I grow tired of my surroundings. There are moments where I feel so low on energy that I want to escape to somewhere opposite, somewhere I can find myself in tune with. I’m sure we all get that feeling, that need to go to our own refuge to re-energize and appreciate what is around us. We need that place of refuge that we can escape to or we’ll go crazy.
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In a way I believe that many of the residents of the Urban environment, go to the countryside as refuge, as a way to live out a fantasy life. The kind in which you go to a location with the positive mentality that everything is pleasant. The countryside means ” a breath of fresh air” and “relaxation from the hustle and bustle of the city”. Without taking into means that those who live in the countryside may be living a whole different type of experience. Where for them it’s just another day of work, and things that have to be done, whilst those who visit are only there temporarily and don’t have such preoccupations on their minds. The same goes for those of the country side who visit the city. It really comes down to the mentality one has set when going to a particular destination. In my opinion there really is not an “Urban Disenchantment” and the “Country as Refuge” idea. More so the “tourist mindset”.
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