Lecture 2: Postmodernism

Postmodernism


Modernism Association:
- Experimental
- Innovative
- Individualism
- Progressive 
- Purity - Stops taking Influence from others
- Originality
- Seriousness


The postmodern condition is characterised by:
- Exhaustion 
- Pluralism
- Pessimism 
- Disillusionment with the idea of absolute knowledge


Postmodernism:
After Modernism period after modernity.


Beginning of Modernity - 60s
Became and established term - 70s
Recognisable style - 80s
Dominant Theoretical Discours - 80s - 90s
Dies down - today.
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Jean Tinguely "Homage to New York" 1960


1917 - German writer Rudolph Panwitz, spoke of nihilistic amoral post modernistic men.


According to Charles Jenks, Modernism dies 15th July 1972pm


The demolition of the Pruitt - IGOE development, St Louis.
Aim to build one style of Architecture for the world.


Postmodernism - A reaction to these rules 
Starts as a critique of the international style.
- Only rule is there are no rules.


Post modern Architecture:
Miles Vander Rohe, Seagrum Building - International style.
Park hill, Sheffield - Regeneration.
ATandT Building - Philip Johnson NYC 1982.
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbau 1997
James Stirling, Neue Staatsgalerie, Stuttgart Germany 1977 - 1983
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JF Layotard. "The Post Modern Condition" 1979
- Result of this - Crisis in Confidence.


Modern Movement:
- Simplified Aesthetic
- Utopian Ideas
- Truth to materials


Post Modern rejects the above:
- Complexity
- Chaos
- Re using images
- Mixing materials


Roy Litchenstien - "This Must Be The Place" 1965


High Art/Low Art


Divide - This begins to crumble
Las vegas - Post Modern city? Robert Venturi. 


At the end of the 1950s 


Formalist abstract expression:
Litchenstiens Reaction - Brush Stroke. 
Warhol's Reaction - Oxidation Painting.
Piero Manzoni - Artists Shit 1961.


"Generally post-modern artists like to mix the high brow and the populist, the alienating and the accessible, and to sample elements from different styles and eras."


In Conclusion:
-  A vague disputed term.
- Questioning Modernism - questioning convention.
- Post modernism aesthetic - Multiplicity of styles and approaches.
- Shift in thought and theory Investigating  crisis in confidence.
- Space for new voices.
- Rejection of Technological determinism.