Monday 17 October 2011

Lecture Two - Post Modernism.

‘Post Modernism’ Definitions
·        After Modernism, the historical era following Modernity, contra Modernism, equivalent to ‘late capitalism’, artistic and stylistic eclectics and the ‘global village’ phenomenon.
·        Post Modernism is a response to modernism and has an attitude of questioning the Modernist.
The Post Modern Era
·        1960’s Post Modern era begins.
·        1970’s it is established as a term.
·        1980’s it is a recognisable style.
·        1990’s it is the dominant theoretical discourse.
·        2000’s the idea is tired and simmering.
Contrasts between Modernism and Post Modernism
·        Modernism is associated with experimental work, innovation, individualism, progress, purity, originality and seriousness, whereas Post Modernism is the exact opposite if these definitions. It has the outlook that everything has been done before so there is no need to be experimental or innovative. Also that it is good to work as a team, incorporate lots of different styles together and take a less serious approach.
·        The faith in new technology was also broke down with the theory of a ‘crisis in confidence,’ which says that the world cannot be saved by it or politics and religion.
·        The Modernist movement was focused on a simplified aesthetic, utopian ideas and truth to materials. In contrast to the Post Modern movement, which favours complexity, the mixing of styles and materials and that there are no rules when it comes to design.
·        Whereas Paris and New York were considered the best when it came to Modernist architecture the Post Modern attitude would favour Las Vegas and embrace its dystopia.
Similarities between Modernism and Post Modernism
·        The Post Modern condition is that of exhaustion, pluralism, pessimism and disillusionment with absolute knowledge. Although some overlap with Modernism, where that was an expression of new technology and communication and the current is a reaction to it.
Post Modernism in Art and Design
·        The Post Modern view on art is very different to that of the modern where artists would paint true to the materials in a formalist way. For example work by Franz Kline and Jackson Pollock demonstrate paint appearing as paint, in contrast to Post Modern artist Roy Lichtenstein who portrays paint in a comic book style.
·        Advertising has grown to be the greatest art form of the 20th Century. Artist Andy Warhol responds to this idea with his Marilyn Monroe diptych, a critique of celebrity, commenting on how society creates ‘stars’.
·        The high/low art divide beginning to crumble is a feature of Post Modernism. Post Modern artists tend to like to mix art considered highbrow and elite with that of the common and accessible.
·        Post Modern design brought new freedom and possibilities that questioned the old Modernist limitations and released a ‘new voice.’
·        Sans Serif fonts continued to be used but also included more playful patterns etc.

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