Post Modernism

Critics say we live in a post modern society/era.
Almost a belief that everything has been done before.
"ironic"

Modernism
-Born out of optimism, sense of positivity, aspiration.
ART & DESIGN BUILDING A UTOPIAN WORLD.
Le Corbusier.


Modernist practice.
Experimental, innovative, individualism, progress, originality, purity.
Postmodern Condition.
Exhaustion, pluralism, pessimism, disillusionment, idea of absolute knowledge.

Modernism was a celebration or expression of new technologies etc.
Post modernism is a response or reaction to this.
Belief that the modern world will ultimately self destruct.
1917 - German Pannwitz spoke of 'nihilistic, post modern men'
1964 - Leslie Fielder described a 'Post' culture, elitist view.
Postmodernism gathers pace in the 1960s.
Dominant in the 1980s and 90s --- has become tired over recent years.
(jameson) 'late capitalism'
After modernism, contra modernism, stylistic ecclecticism.

Rap and hip hop could be seen as postmodern...
'global village' globalization of everything.

Charles Jencks. 1515 July, 1972, 3 : 32  demolition of Pruitt.
Pruitt epitomises the failings of Modernist architecture.

questions conventions (those set by modernism particularly)
Utopian and technological determinism of modernism have failed.
Postmodern aesthetic is about individualism and difference.
-only rule in postmodernism is that there are no rules.
-celebrates the Kitsch

Park Hill flats - Sheffield. 1960s.
became a slum, horrible!  yet still a listed building.
AT & T building
Philip Johnson - 1982 - modernist style.
GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM
James Stirling- neue staffisgalerie.  selfridges - birmingham
Robinson Library - downing college - 1992 reaction to modernism

J-F LYOTARD
-incredulity towards metanarratives
-total belief system - vision of world showing new strategy
-visions of elites imposing ideas become ideology as it won't work.
Crisis in confidence...undermining of structures of the past.

Postmodern aesthetic
one of complexity and chaos. -  Roy Lichtenstein (1965) attacks seriousness.
High art/low art divide crumbles.

LAS VEGAS
the ultimate postmodern city.
postmodern dystopia - loss of order and self
BLADERUNNER...


Andy Warhol , elevation to celebrity
attack on artist as superior, leader.
as Warhol said, he didn't know anything about art.
yet his work hangs in galleries.


Jackson Pollock.
Rejection of the values of art.
David Shrigley
'Art lovers'

PIERO MANZONI-'artists shit'
taking the piss out of those so wrapped up in art they think canning poo is a good idea.

NEW DEPTHLESSNESS
waning of effort. face value.
Culture of retro styles. Never new or innovative.

"advertising is the greatest artform of the 20th century" Mcluhan


MEMPHIS group.
Sotsass
founded 1981
adbusters - design anarchy. 


an inconclusion...
-a vague disputed term
-attitude of questioning conventions
-space for 'new voices'
-rejection of technological determinism