The avant-garde refers to a group of artists, writers, musicians, and other creative practitioners who push the boundaries of traditional practices and norms. The term originated from the French military term "avant-garde," which means "advance guard" or "vanguard." In art, the avant-garde typically refers to experimental or innovative approaches that challenge existing conventions, traditions, and established norms. Avant-garde artists often seek to disrupt the status quo by introducing new ideas, styles, techniques, or subject matters that are considered unconventional or radical. They prioritize creative exploration and often aim to provoke, challenge, or inspire audiences to think differently. Various art movements, such as Dada, Surrealism, Cubism, Futurism, and Abstract Expressionism, are considered avant-garde, as they introduced groundbreaking and unconventional approaches during their respective time periods.
