Transcript Post-Modernism

Post-Modernism
We live in a post-modern world
What is post-modernism?

An attitude which questions human systems as sources of truth or strength

Government

The media

Religion & philosophy

Language

Family

Sexuality & gender
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Art & literature
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Truth is seen as slippery or impossible
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Arose in the 1940s after World War II and currently dominates popular culture in
much of the Western world
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In a post-modern world, everything is “constructed” by choices and signals some
meaning larger than itself
Hallmarks of Post-modern art:
Symbol and Metaphor
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“Symbol”  an action, object, or
character that stands for something
beyond itself
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“Metaphor”  comparing two objects
by making one into the other
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Often, the purpose of art in a postmodern world is to send a message or
“make meaning”

Everything – it is thought – send a
message, reveals an idea, or stands
for something

Every part of a work can be
“deconstructed” or analyzed to
identify the meaning/message of a
work

Thus, almost every part of a work of
post-modern art can be a symbol or
metaphor for something else
David Hockney, Beverly Hills Housewife
Hallmarks of post-modern style in art
The use of extensive symbols and metaphors to make meaning and share
the artist’s point
Calvin and Hobbes, Bill
Watterson
Hallmarks of post-modern style in art
Mixing of different styles into one work of art
“Fun Times with Weapons” South Park
Hallmarks of post-modern style in art
Mixing of different styles into one work of art
Hallmarks of postmodern style in art
Mixing of different styles into
one work of art
Soup Cans, Andy Warhol
Hallmarks of post-modern style in art
Blending of “high” and “low” culture in a work of art
Michael Jackson and
Bubbles, Jeff Koons
Hallmarks of post-modern style in art
Blending of “high” and “low” culture in a work of art
“Something Something Something
Dark Side” Family Guy
Hallmarks of post-modern style in art
Referential approach to a creative work
Hallmarks of post-modern style in art
Referential approach with a creative work
Nighthawks, Edward Hopper
From last night too…
Hallmarks of post-modern style in art
Referential approach with a creative work
Delfonics – 1968
Fugees - 1996
[Buffalo Bill 's]
By E. E. Cummings
Buffalo Bill 's
defunct
who used to
ride a watersmooth-silver
stallion
and break onetwothreefourfive pigeonsjustlikethat
Jesus
he was a handsome man
and what i want to know is
how do you like your blueeyed boy
Mister Death
Hallmarks of post-modern style in art
Playing with form and structure to make meaning
David Hockney iPad Art Show
Hallmarks of post-modern style in art
Playing with form and structure to make meaning
Hallmarks of post-modern style in art
Playing with form and structure to make meaning
Calvin and Hobbes, Bill
Watterson
Hallmarks of post-modern style in art
Playing with form and structure to make meaning
What is post-modernism?

Arose in the 1940s following World War II and has dominated into today

Hallmarks of post-modernism in arts and literature:
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Mixing different styles into one work

Blending of “high” and “low” culture

Referential approach to art

Playing with form and structure of art to make meaning

Self-conscious and intentional use of metaphor and symbol to make meaning and
share the author’s point-of-view
Symbol and metaphor are incredibly important in post-modernism