What is postmodernism in art?

Answer 1

Postmodern art (sometimes called po-mo) is a term used to describe art which is thought to be after or in contradiction to some aspect of modernism. As with all divisions the lumpers and splitters problem applies; there are those who argue against a division into modern and postmodern periods.

Thus it has been used to denote what may be considered as the ultimate phase of modern art, as art after modernism or as certain tendencies of contemporary art. Postmodern art uses a vocabulary of media, genres or styles as parts of an extended visual language that goes beyond the boundaries of the modernist vocabulary. Postmodernism is, by its very nature, impossible to define clearly. Some of the best expositions appear in the theoretical writings of Jean Baudrillard, who concludes that what motivates art historical change is not any 'authentic' or 'original' impulse, but simply fashion, pivoting on the desire for novelty, which he sees as an organic and integrated processes.

The basic premise behind postmodern art is that all forms of novelty and rebellion have already been explored, and that even if that wasn't true the particular emphasis on rejection of that which is old or already done is only handicapping to an artists self-expression. Seeing as such, postmodernism is in a sense art's reconcilliation of itself and its past, and postmodernists typically collect influences from all periods and schools, using several media in a given piece in a pastiche-like form. Artist Allison Hetter, when asked what postmodernism was, replied with the simple phrase: "Everything's been done already." Many observers feel that we are in the stage of po-po-mo art where: "Everything's been re-done already".

Answer 2

postmodernism or Postmodernism - Art, architecture, or literature that reacts against earlier modernist principles, as by reintroducing traditional or classical elements of style or by carrying modernist styles or practices to extremes.





Phillip Ritter asked about the shades of difference in the meanings of "postmodern", "postmodernist theory" and "postmodernism".

"Postmodernist theory" and "postmodernism" are nearly identical. The former can imply more the body of writing along with the thought, while the latter is more simply the body of thought, albeit largely encoded in texts. The term "postmodern theory" is potentially more confusing. It could be read as referring to any or all theory (collective theories) associated with the era of postmodernism, although what most writers probably mean is "postmodernist theory," and perhaps writers can be allowed to expect that the second meaning (postmodernist theory) will be read by readers, if/because this meaning is apparent in the context of its use.

Answer 3

This term refers to art, architecture, or literature that reacts against earlier modernist principles, by reintroducing traditional or classical elements of those styles or by carrying modernist styles or practices to extremes.

Post meaning - after modern times.

Modern times referred to things that were most current in style mostly between the late 1800's through to the middle of the 60's.

Answer 4

A classification of art seeking to describe a narrative, non formulaic or natural form of visual expression.

Answer 5

pop art