Well, things like Cubism and Dadaism emerged just before or during the Great War and exploded across the world shortly after, in no small part to the cultural shock of the war itself, in the 'Between the Wars' period rather than the Second World War... Personally, although I do prefer representative art (as regular viewers will no doubt be aware), I do like *some* modern art (or avant-garde) very much indeed. One of my favourite pieces - which I think is a work of pure genius is 'Nude Descending Staircase No 2' by Marcel Duchamp. The first time I saw it I thought it stunning, especially as it was from 1912. Modern art might seem 'easy' compared to previous works... but it's just different. It's still art.