Definition Pages
bohemia:
Often characterized by independent, fraternal clusters of poor artists, this cultural phenomenon took root in France under the primary influence of the great modern writer Baudelaire. Not only in his product did Baudelaire introduce the foundational intellectual pursuits of bohemianism, but his lifestyle provided the basis for most bohemian culture to come: ÒThose who love Baudelaire will think it a pity that, as long as he was writing advertising copy, he couldnÕt arrange to get paid for it. (He could have used the money, though of course he would never have done it for money).Ó[1] Among BaudelaireÕs foci were the dandy (linked to 19th century sub-page), the modern artist, beauty (linked to Aesthetic movement section), fashion, and of course, transcendence (ÒBut what can an eternity of damnation matter to someone who has felt, if only for a second, the infinity of delight?Ó[2]) all of which we see clearly echoed in later both British and French bohemian culture.
avante-garde:
Also based in France, the avante-garde, traditionally centered more specifically on visual art, is often linked to bohemianism in a modern context. Indeed one might argue that the work of many artists lies somewhere in the center of an avante-garde/bohemia ven diagram, yet the true philosophies of the ÒschoolsÓ differ fundamentally. Linda Nochlin, whose writing on the subject is extensive, defines the avante-garde based on its Òradical revolutionary implicationÓ[3] and emphasizes the alienation experienced by avante-garde artists based on their bourgeoisie status.
modernity:
(class definition)
Chelsea:
The artistsÕ quarter of Kensington, several coffee houses and clubs ushered intellectual life to London from this locale through the centuries.
Fleet Street:
This 17th and 18th century hub of British journalism provided a recognized locale for the concentration of bohemian writers like Joseph Addison and Richard Steele.
Soho:
This trendy district of Westminster (not to be confused with New YorkÕs similarly trendy abbreviation) lent housing to John Dryden, among other writers and bohemians, and reached its height of popularity in the 19th century.