Post-Modernism
This week's ALVC tutorial covers Post-Modernism. Use the ALVC texts and definitions from the internet to define the term and answer the following questions;
1. Define Post-Modernism using 8-10 bullet points that include short quotes.
-“The period in which we now live is often called “postmodernism”. (Saugstad, A. (2001) Postmodernism: What is it, and what is wrong with it?)
-“Postmodernism is associated with relativism. Relativism is the idea that “anything goes.” (Saugstad, A. (2001) Postmodernism: What is it, and what is wrong with it?)
-“...In Postmodernism, society is more fragmented. Belief in one Truth or universal criteria, has been substituted by a number of “small stories,” and a diversity of criteria” (Saugstad, A. (2001) Postmodernism: What is it, and what is wrong with it?)
-“Constructive postmodernism desires a return to premodern notions of divinely wrought reality, of cosmic meaning, and an enchanted nature” (Witcome, C (2000) Modernism & Postmodernism.)
-“... Postmodernism seeks to recover truths and values from various forms of premodern thoughts and practices.” (Witcome, C (2000) Modernism & Postmodernism.)
-‘... Postmodernism wants to replace modernism and modernity, which it sees as threatening the very survival of life on the planet.” (Witcome, C (2000) Modernism & Postmodernism.)
-“... Postmodernism seeks to overcome the modern worldview, and the assumptions that sustains it, though what appears to be anti-worldview.” (Witcome, C (2000) Modernism & Postmodernism.)
-“... Postmodernism is seen perhaps as anti-modern in that it seems to destroy or eliminate the ingredients that are believed necessary for a worldview, such as God, self, purpose, meaning, a real world, and truth.” (Witcome, C (2000) Modernism & Postmodernism.)
2. Use a quote by Witcombe (2000) to define the Post-Modern artist.
“The post-modern artist is “reflexive” in that he/she is self-awere and consciously involved in a process of thinking about him/herself and society in a deconstructive manner, “demasking” pretensions, becoming aware of his/her cultural self in history, and accelerating the process of self-consciousness.”
3. Use the grid on pages 42 and 43 to summarize the list of the features of Post-
Modernity.
Modernity.
Post modernity has many theories and beliefs, ‘no one grand narrative’, where in modernity there was ‘Faith in Depth’ (meaning and value) over appearances. In Post modernity the artist made use of new technologies and media. There was so much more for the Post modernity artist to explore.
4. Use this summary to answer the next two questions.
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.
4. Use this summary to answer the next two questions.
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.
Ai Weiwei is self-taught artists who challenged official communist icons and ideology and helped spark the modern art movement in Beijing. He placed the modern brand name “Coca-Cola” on a old Chinese vase to challenge the grand narrative of Chinas cultural Ideas and the ideas towards historical artefacts. In another work he shows photos of him dropping an old urn to the grown were it smashes in to pieces. It’s like he’s questioning the importance of the historical pieces.
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.
to discuss how each work can be defined at Post-Modern.
Banksy is a well known unidentified British street artist. His political and social works have been featured on streets, walls, and bridges of cities throughout the world.
Banksy’s work is identified as post-modern work because he places them in random and unusual locations, their conversational and it makes the viewer stop to look at the work and engages with them. For example ‘Flower Riot’ and graffiti of McDonalds cave man shows the irony in modern times an society. Personally I love his work and think it slightly cheeky.
References: http://theworldsbestever.com/2008/02/new_banksy_pieces_surface_in_l.php
http://www.artzinechina.com/display_vol_aid109_en.html
Elbe, I love how Banksy’s work is cheeky too! I like how you bring up that Banksy’s method applying and sharing his art is Post-Modern. I was only concentrating on the meaning of the individual art works, but his anonymity and unusual locations, street walls not galleries, is very Post-Modern in that it challenges the boundaries of art practices. His methods, though untraditional, are very effective for sharing his art with the world and getting his messages across. Because he is anonymous it emphasises his message rather than his own personal fame. This challenges the role of the artist or creator as has never been done in the past. Is graffiti art? I think so.
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