New and experimental ideas or methods in art, music, or literature that push boundaries and challenge conventional forms. As a noun, it refers to the people or works that pioneer such innovative approaches.
From French, literally meaning 'advance guard' or 'vanguard,' originally a military term for troops that scout ahead of the main army. The artistic usage emerged in the 19th century, maintaining the metaphor of artists as scouts exploring new creative territories.
Avant-garde artists are literally the 'advance scouts' of culture! Just as military scouts venture into unknown territory ahead of the army, avant-garde artists explore new forms of expression that the rest of culture might follow years or decades later.
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