- Post modernism does not deny modernism, however it is in a whole different sense that is trying to revive more traditional ideas.
- It is the philosophical movement that was trying to get away from modernism
- It says that all of our realities are nothing more than ideas created by social movements and groups and so forth
- It is "having rejected the past many years ago and now the future is no longer the goal of artistic effort.." Witcombe (2000)
- Post modernism is a hugely important theory behind all sorts of creations such as the theatre, books, cinema, journalism etc..
- Post modernism is merely a different perspective on modernism
- The progress of these two movements grew from the Enlightenment
- Post modernism rejects the ideas of 'subjectivity' and 'objectivity'
- The social constructs that are of the time and our ideas can be changed at any time depending on what the people who concern it see fit
2. Use a quote by Witcombe (2000) to define the Post-Modern artist.
"The name given to this new period is Post modernism. The Term post modernism is used in a confusing variety of ways. For some it means anti-modern; for others the revision of modernist premises" Witcombe (2000) pg. 18
3. Use the grid on pages 42 and 43 to summarize the list of the features of Post-
Modernity.
- Social and cultural
- Play of surfaces, no concern for depth
- Hyper-reality
- High culture in regards to popular culture and then combining the two
- Art not only how it is but also the process, performance and production.
- It's work is hugely ironic
5. Research Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's 'Han Dynasty Urn with Coca-Cola logo'(1994)
in order to say what features of the work are Post-Modern.
The reason for why Ai Weiwei's work is considered post-modern is because of how it combines two different ideas in a very ironic manner. In the images below we see a monumental urn, obviously priceless, and the artist has proceeded to print on to it the 'coca cola' symbol. Here we can judge that Ai Weiwei is an artist of the post-modern era for combing these two very different ideas. The next image is of him dropping the priceless urn, all for the sake of art. Post-modernism makes us believe that for the sake of any kind of art, nothing material really matters that much, because it is constantly interchangeable and mailable.
Han Dynasty With Coca Cola Label (1994) Ai Wei Wei
Ai Wei Wei Dropping Han Dynasty Urn
6. Research British artist Banksy's street art, and analyze the following two works by the artist
to discuss how each work can be defined at Post-Modern.(Use your list from point 6.)
Street artist Bansky is primarily know for two reason. One of the reasons is that he stealthily does works of graffiti around major cities and in doing so has made himself infamous all over the world. The second reason is because no-one actually knows who Banksy is. There is a huge amount of speculation in to this and many thoughts as to who or what he is, some say that Banksy is not one person, but actually a collective of people and while others say he is actually one person parading around behind a monkey mask whilst he has a personal assistant handling the other side of things, the way Banksy operates in a post-modern act in itself, for it is rejecting the modern ways. His works too, are clearly that of post-modern workings, because they reject the tradtional mediums of art, and all of his work belongs to the people who see it, because it is on public buildings in public and such.
Flower Riot Banksy
Los Angeles (2008) Banksy
References
Banksy., (2007) Wall and Piece: Random House, UK
Weiwei, A., (2006-2009) Ai Wei Wei's Blog: The MIT Press
Butler, C., (2003) Post Modernism : A Very Short Introduction: Oxford University Press, USA
i like your point on defining post modernism, they explain it clearly and simply. I think Ai Weiwei is a very unique artist in that he is daring to destroy as you say “priceless” objects and not being afraid of social and political consequence and instead doing his work in the post modern sense of now not for the future. Printing the “coca cola” logo onto an urn shows the influence American culture had on Ai Weiwei whilst he lived there before returning to China. In a way it shows how America has the vast majority of the world following its examples and Ai Weiwei is questioning that through his work. I like Banksy because of his anonymity he could be anyone and the fact that no one sees him in the act of creating a piece. His use of the medium of graffiti is interesting and can relate to the now as with post modernism as graffiti and spray paint are a part of today’s life in society.
ReplyDeleteHello Gwen. I enjoyed the points you made to define post modernism. I also found your research towards Weiwei and Banksy's works very supportive to the points you stated. I have no doubt that it is easy to get misled by the name of the period as the word 'post' clearly means after, therefore most people who are just introduced to the idea would initially believe post modernism completely disregards modernism. But as you have mentioned, post modernism is merely a different perspective of modernism.
ReplyDeleteI liked reading the points you used to define postmodernism in question one because I found it hard to define myself when so much of the information I read about it came to the same conclusion that it’s basically indefinable. I thought all the points you made were very valid. I also found this question quite difficult because there are so many different opinions out there on what postmodernism actually is.
ReplyDeleteI also found the comments you made about Banksy interesting too because since watching his movie ‘Exit through the Gift Shop’ last year I’ve been fascinated by him and his work and it’s always good to read peoples comments and thoughts about him.
I agree there are two reasons. He is enough to be call as an icon of post-graffiti today as his artworks have obvious clear contents and messages. He expressed his opinion to a society and he succeeded to take response from mass in public. His artworks made a sensation and a lot of people wanted to know who worked it but there is nobody who knows who made it. Such question was more pronounced as his artworks. I really like his street work and I know how he became a famous artist but I think his anonymity is a crucial role for what makes him more famous.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your Whitcombe quote. It provided a concise definition of the post
ReplyDeletemodern era. I think your comments regarding how Ai Wei Wei ironically combines ideas to achieve a political narrative are well written and I agree with your opinion. They way in which you described Banksy's infamous status as a street artist was a strong point as I feel that this is a key contextual element to be taken into consideration when viewing his work.